The planning supervisor is a creation of the Regulations. His principal role is to ensure that everyone else is carrying out their duties under the regulations, and advise accordingly. He may also actually carry out some of the duties. He must be competent under the regulations, and have the resources to carry out his duties.

The specified duties are (so far as is reasonably practicable):-

• to ensure the design of the structure has taken due regard of health and safety as required under Regulation 13 and any necessary information has been made available.
• to ensure that a suitable pre-contract Health and Safety Plan has been prepared.
• to ensure co-operation between designers.
• be in a position to advise the Client and contractor on the suitability of appointments of designers and contractor, and advise the Client on the adequacy of the Health and Safety plan prior to commencement of work on site.
• To ensure that the Health and Safety File is prepared in accordance with the Regulations and delivered to the Client on completion of the each structure comprising the project.

The information in the Health and Safety File is intended to assist the Client, and anyone in the future who may have to maintain, modify or demolish the structure. If the structure changes hands, the File is handed over with the structure, and may be extended as maintenance and modification work is carried out.

The Planning Supervisor is a statutory appointment - there must be one if the scheme falls within the requirements of the regulations (see does this affect my project). The Planning Supervisor may change with time, but the new appointment must be notified to all concerned, including the HSE.