Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Coordinator functions
The coordinator is assigned functions and not responsi-
bilities (as these rest with the client), the key proportion 
of which is to coordinate health and safety arrangements 
prior to the project starting, where changes are required 
and post-construction works by preparing the health 
and safety fi le.
The coordinator functions include:
➤
Advising and assisting the client in undertaking the 
measures needed to comply with the regulations 
including determining the adequacy of the resources
➤
Notifying the HSE of the construction project where 
applicable
➤
Advising on the suitability and compatibility of 
designs and on any need for modifi cation
➤
Coordinating design work, planning and other 
preparation
➤
Liaising with the principal contractor in relation to 
any design or change to a design requiring a review 
of the construction phase plan, during the construc-
tion phase
➤
Providing relevant health and safety information to 
every person designing the structure, the principal 
contractor; and every contractor who has been or is 
likely to be appointed by the client
➤
Preparing, where none exists, and otherwise review-
ing and updating the health and safety fi le.
Designer duties
Designers play a key role in construction projects – 
although contractors have to manage risks on site, 
designers can often eliminate or reduce them at source. 
The specifi c duties of the designer are to:
➤
Advise clients of their duties
➤
Take positive account of health and safety hazards 
during design considerations
➤
Apply the principles of prevention and protection 
during the design phase to eliminate, reduce or con-
trol hazards
➤
Consider measures that will protect all workers if 
neither avoidance nor reduction to a safe level is 
possible
➤
Make health and safety information available regard-
ing risks that cannot be designed out
➤
Cooperate with the coordinator and any other 
designers involved.