Safe Design Advisory Group Report

In response to recommendations emerging from the 2002 Workplace Safety Summit, the New South Wales Government convened the Safe Design Advisory Group. This Advisory Group was comprised of representatives from WorkCover, Government departments and industry peak bodies. Its objective was to develop strategies, in consultation with stakeholders in the design process, for the promotion and development of Safe Design, specifically in relation to buildings and structures.

The Advisory Group on three principles for systematically developing a design that is safe:

Understanding that good design can contribute to safety.
Systematic risk identification and control.
Considering user requirements.

It was agreed that the most effective strategy for encouraging safe design is to raise awareness of the importance of Safe Design through the provision of high quality information and education.

With this in mind, the Safe Design Advisory Group Report highlights twelve recommendations of the Advisory Group as being necessary for the promotion of Safe Design.

Design has a significant impact on safety across each stage of a building or structure's life cycle, and that improvements in design practice will result in improved safety for constructors and end users. Buildings and structures that are inherently safer are more useable, pleasant and productive places to work.

WorkCover encourages designers involved in the design of a building or structure likely to be used as a workplace to ensure, as far as is reasonable, that it is designed to be safe and without risk to people using it as a workplace, as well as safe to those involved in its construction, maintenance, renovation and eventual demolition.

Further Information