[Name of Organization] 

Safe Design of Structures Policy and Procedure 

  1. Introduction 

Removing hazards at the design or planning stage is often easier and cheaper to achieve than making changes later while the hazards become real risks in the workplace of [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. Safe design can result in various benefits including: 

  1. more effective prevention of injury and illness  

  1. improved usability of structures  

  1. improved productivity and reduced costs  

  1. better prediction and management of operational and production costs over the lifecycle of a structure  

  1. innovation in the safe design can demand new thinking to resolve hazards that occur in the construction phase and in end use 

  1. Purpose/ Objective 

This procedure outlines the design requirements for the prevention of adverse health and safety issues, as well as outcomes related to the design, construction, fit-out, provision of working space for employees. This approach recognises the significance of making sure that designers consider the future impact of a building on those who will interact with a structure throughout its entire life. It ensures the incorporation of a pre-design conceptual, design, and schematic design and the final design development phase.  

  1. Application  

This policy and procedure provide practical guidance to persons conducting a business or undertaking who is involved in designing structures, which will be used, or could reasonably be expected to be used in your workplace. It includes architects, building designers, as well as engineers. It is also relevant for the ones making decisions that influence the design outcome such as developers, clients, and builders.  

It is applicable to the design of the ‘structures’ that is constructed, whether fixed or moveable, permanent or temporary, and includes: 

  • masts, buildings, towers, framework, roads, pipelines, bridges, roads, rail infrastructure, as well as underground works 

  • any component of a structure, and 

  • part of a structure  

  1. Identifying safe design 

Safe design refers to the incorporation of control measures early in the design process to remove or, in case it is not reasonably practicable, lowers the risks to health and safety all through the life of the structure or building being designed. The safe design of a structure will always be a part of a wider set of design objectives, along with practicability, aesthetics, cost, as well as functionality. Sometimes these objectives need to be balanced in such a manner which does not compromise the health and safety of those who work on or use the structure over its life. Safe design starts at the concept development phase of a structure while making decisions about: 

  • the design and the intended purpose  

  • the materials to be used 

  • possible methods of construction, maintenance, operation, dismantling or demolition, and disposal  

  • what legislation, codes of practice, as well as standards,  need to be considered and fulfilled with   

  1. Key elements of safe design  

Use a risk management approach  

A risk management process is a systematic way of making a workplace as safe as possible and it should also be used as a part of the design process. It will include the following steps: 

  1. identify foreseeable hazards related to the design of the structure  

  1. if required, assess the risks arising from the hazards 

  1. remove or minimise the risk by designing control measures, and 

  1. review the control measures  

Consider the lifecycle  

It is important to consider the future impact of a building on environmental sustainability, and for this, the designer should consider the way their design will affect the health and safety of the ones who will interact with the building or structure all through its life. It means thinking about design solutions for reasonably foreseeable hazards, which can occur when the structure is built, used, commissioned, maintained, repaired, refurbished or modified, demolished, decommissioned or dismantled or disposed or recycled. For instance, when designing a building with life for occupants, the design also needs to include sufficient space and safe access to the machine room or lift-well for maintenance work.  

Knowledge and capability  

Along with core design capabilities relevant to the designer’s role, a designer should also have: 

  1. knowledge of work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and other regulatory needs 

  1. an understanding of the intended purpose of the structure  

  1. knowledge  of risk management process 

  1. knowledge of technical design standards  

  1. an appreciation of construction methods, as well as their impact on the design  

  1. the capability to secure and apply relevant data on human dimensions, capacities, and behaviours  

Consultation, co-operation, and coordination  

Consultation is a legal requirement and a crucial part of managing work health and safety risks. A safe workplace can be easily attained while people occupied at the design stage communicate with each other about the potential risks and work together to find a solution. By amalgamating knowledge and experience of other people, along with workers, more informed decisions can be made about how the structure or the building can be designed to remove or minimise risks.  

 

  1. Responsibilities 

Responsibilities of the employer  

The employer has specific duties under the WHS Regulations to: 

  1. consult with the designer. By consulting with the designer, the employer should ensure that health and safety risks arising from the design during the construction are minimised or removed, and  

  1. give the designer with any information that the client has in relation to the hazards, as well as the risks at the site where the construction work is to be carried out 

Responsibilities of the line manager  

The line manager is responsible for: 

  1. implementing this procedure in their area of accountability and responsibility, and making sure that implementation evidence is maintained 

  1. consulting with the workers on any proposed changes to their workplace  

  1. making sure that the employees are consulted when considering the layout and fit out of a new or refurbished workplace  

  1. making sure that the health and safety of employees is considered and managed during the design, construction, as well as fit-out of buildings  

  1. making sure that all staff consultation feedback is communicated to the relevant Contract Supervisor 

  1. making sure that employees are made aware of construction or refurbishment activities, which can directly affect the workplace or work activities.  

Responsibilities of the employee  

The employee is responsible for: 

  1. not placing themselves or others at risk of illness or injury 

  1. taking part in consultation related to proposed changes to their workplace  

  1. completing an incident report for all incident along with near misses relating to  construction activities affecting them  

  1. Implementation and Review 

[YOUR COMPANY NAME] will review and can make changes to this policy and procedures as needed at a regular interval. 

 

Date