Understanding Your Legal Duties Under Irish Construction Regulations 
Every construction project in Ireland, regardless of size or scope, comes with clearly defined safety responsibilities. One of the most important is the appointment of a Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS).
But when exactly is a PSCS required, and what does the role involve?
At EHS International, our consultancy and training teams work closely with clients to determine when the PSCS requirement applies, ensuring full compliance from the earliest planning stages.
What is a PSCS?
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, the client must appoint a PSCS for every project where construction work takes place.
The PSCS manages health and safety during the construction phase, coordinating contractors’ activities and ensuring all work is carried out safely and without risk to workers or the public.
You can think of the PSCS as a conductor of an orchestra, ensuring that every contractor plays their part safely, in the correct sequence, and in harmony with the overall safety plan.
When is a PSCS Required?
A PSCS must be appointed when any one of the following applies:
- More than one contractor will be involved (including subcontractors).
- The project will last more than 30 work days or exceed 500 person days.
- The project involves Particular Risks, as outlined in Schedule 1 of the Construction Regulations 2013.
In practice, this means a PSCS is required for most projects, including refurbishments, extensions, fit-outs, and maintenance works where multiple trades are involved. It applies across all settings, from domestic builds and commercial premises to large-scale industrial or public infrastructure projects.
Even on smaller sites, appointing a PSCS is often considered best practice whenever coordination of multiple trades is required.
Understanding the Triggers
1. More than One Contractor
If more than one contractor or subcontractor will be working on the project, whether simultaneously or sequentially, the client must appoint a PSCS.
This includes projects where, for example, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and builders are all active on site at different stages.
2. Projects Lasting Over 30 Work Days or 500 Person Days
This trigger applies if the construction phase is expected to last more than 30 work days, or the total workload will exceed 500 person days.
Person days are calculated by multiplying the number of days by the number of workers on site (for example, 10 workers over 50 days = 500 person days).
3. Particular Risks (Schedule 1)
Schedule 1 of the 2013 Regulations provides a non-exhaustive list of work involving particular risks to the safety, health, and welfare of persons at work. These include:
- Work at risk of falling from height, burial, or engulfment
- Exposure to chemical or biological substances
- Work with ionising radiation
- Operations near high-voltage power lines
- Work that risks drowning
- Construction involving tunnels, wells, or underground works
- Work in compressed air environments or involving divers
- The use of explosives
- Assembly or dismantling of heavy prefabricated components
If any of these conditions apply, the client must appoint a PSCS.
Key Responsibilities of the PSCS
Once appointed, the PSCS assumes overall responsibility for managing safety during the construction phase. Their duties include:
- Developing and implementing the Construction Stage Health and Safety Plan
- Notifying the HSA in writing if the project exceeds 30 work days or 500 person days
- Coordinating and overseeing all contractors on site
- Ensuring safe access, welfare facilities, and emergency procedures
- Managing communications and risk assessments between parties
- Monitoring compliance and addressing non-conformances
- Recording incidents and maintaining statutory documentation
- Providing information to the PSDP for inclusion in the final Safety File
At EHS International, our consultancy team supports clients in meeting these responsibilities efficiently and in full compliance with legal and industry standards.
What Happens if a PSCS is Not Appointed?
Failure to appoint a PSCS when required constitutes a breach of the Construction Regulations and may lead to enforcement action by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
Beyond legal penalties, the absence of a PSCS increases the risk of accidents, poor coordination, and costly project delays.
Appointing a competent PSCS at the outset ensures clear communication, effective safety management, and smoother project delivery.
How EHS International Can Help
EHS International provides complete PSDP and PSCS services, supported by IOSH-approved training programmes to help duty holders understand and fulfil their obligations under Irish construction law.
Our consultants can:
- Act as PSCS on behalf of clients
- Guide in-house teams to perform the role confidently and compliantly
- Deliver bespoke audits, documentation reviews, and safety plans tailored to your project
Whether you are planning a small refurbishment or a large multi-contractor build, we will ensure your safety supervision structure is compliant, efficient, and fit for purpose.
Talk to Our Team
Whether you are a client, designer, or contractor, understanding when and how to appoint a PSCS is essential to keeping your project compliant, coordinated, and safe from day one.
Our Consultancy Team at EHS International can guide you through every step, from reviewing your project structure and identifying your legal duties, to acting as PSCS on your behalf or supporting your in-house team with training and documentation.
For expert guidance or to appoint EHS International as your PSCS, contact our team today:
📞 +353 (0)21 206 6006
💻 www.ehsinternational.com/construction-safety-services
📧 [email protected]
EHS International – Building safer projects through expert supervision and compliance.
