What is the PSDP role?

Many people hear the term PSDP on construction projects but are unclear about what the role involves and why it matters.

Under Irish construction regulations, the client must appoint a PSDP before design work begins so health and safety can be addressed from the outset. The PSDP coordinates safety during the design and planning stages, helping the team identify and reduce risks before construction starts.

A PSDP is typically required when:

• more than one contractor will be involved
• the project includes particular risks
• the work is expected to exceed 30 working days or 500 person-days

This can cover everything from work at height risks, access and egress, structural stability, maintenance access, temporary works, existing live services, or how different contractors will interact throughout the job. Good planning at design stage can make a huge difference once construction starts.

One of the PSDP’s key responsibilities is preparing the Preliminary Safety & Health Plan. This document sets out the main project risks and important health and safety information before the construction phase starts. The PSDP will also coordinate designers throughout the project to make sure safety is continuously reviewed as the design develops.

At the end of the project, the PSDP is also responsible for preparing the Safety File. This is handed over to the client and contains important information for future maintenance, repairs, extensions or demolition works.

In reality, a good PSDP should be adding value to a project, not just producing paperwork. The role is about practical coordination, communication between designers and contractors, and helping projects run safer and smoother from the very beginning.

For clients, appointing a competent PSDP is extremely important, both from a legal and project delivery point of view. Early involvement and proper planning can help avoid delays, unexpected costs, redesigns and safety issues later in the project.

At Boven Safety Group, we deliver PSDP services for a wide range of construction projects, including commercial, pharmaceutical, healthcare and data centre developments across Ireland and Europe. Our approach is practical, straightforward and focused on helping projects progress safely and efficiently from design to completion.