Appointing a Principal Contractor (PC) or Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS)
Before construction begins, you must appoint a Principal Contractor (PC) in Northern Ireland or a Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) in the Republic of Ireland. Typically, this is your builder. If using direct labor, you may appoint yourself if you are competent, or hire a health and safety professional.
PSCS Responsibilities
The PSCS is responsible for preparing a written plan that addresses specific construction risks. They must also add relevant documents, such as scaffolding records and inspections, to the safety file created by the Project Supervisor Design Stage (PSDS) or Principal Designer (PD).
Homeowner's Responsibility
As the homeowner, it is your responsibility to appoint both the PSDS/PD and the PSCS/PC for the project.
Site Supervision
There must always be an experienced and accredited site supervisor in charge. While this is strictly enforced in Northern Ireland, it is not as rigorously enforced in the Republic of Ireland.