Overview of Construction Safety Regulations
In the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI), specific legislation governs the safety, health, and welfare aspects of construction work, whether you are building your own home or paying for construction services.
- ROI: The legislation is called the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations.
- NI: The relevant legislation is known as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).
Applicability of Regulations
These regulations apply to any construction work that involves contractors or hired workers. However, if you are undertaking a full DIY project and performing all the work yourself (a scenario that is rare due to the need for specialists like electricians and plumbers), the regulations do not apply.
Requirements for Projects with Multiple Contractors or Specific Conditions
In both ROI and NI, if your project:
- Involves more than one contractor,
- Is scheduled to last longer than 30 days, or
- Involves particular risks,
You, as the homeowner, must appoint project supervisors for the health and safety aspects of the project and notify the relevant authorities.
Required Project Supervisors
-
Design Stage:
- ROI: Project Supervisor Design Stage (PSDS)
- NI: Principal Designer (PD)
-
Construction Stage:
- ROI: Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS)
- NI: Principal Contractor (PC)
The role of PSCS/PC can be taken on by the main contractor, but these roles require specific competencies.
Competency and the Role of Project Manager
It is possible for the homeowner to act as the project manager and fulfill both the PSDS/PD and PSCS/PC roles, but you must be competent to do so. Competency involves having the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to manage health and safety risks. You will likely need the assistance of a Health & Safety (H&S) professional for documentation and site-specific safety management.
Health and Safety Planning and Documentation
The PSDS/PD is responsible for filing a health and safety report that identifies specific risks at the design stage. This report must be submitted to the relevant health and safety authorities before construction begins. Often, self-builders appoint their architectural designer to take on the PSDS/PD role, though this service typically incurs additional fees beyond the design costs.
Responsibilities of PSDS/PD
- Prepare a Written Plan: The plan must outline the risks associated with the project, including technical, organizational, planning, or time-related risks, and detail how these risks will be managed.
- Safety File Preparation: The PSDS/PD must create a safety file for the homeowner, documenting all identified risks and including essential health and safety information.
- Monitoring Compliance: The PSDS/PD is required to notify the health and safety authority and the client if there is any non-compliance with issued directions. They may also need to issue directions to designers, contractors, or others involved in the project.