No matter what you design or how you design it, there are requirements in your jurisdiction to make sure what you design is safe.
Whether you design products, devices, services, buildings or systems, it is vital you design for the safety of all people who could be affected by your design.
Designers need to consider all phases in the product or system lifecycle – from build and manufacture, through use and maintenance, to dismantling and disposal.
Key principles of Safety in Design are:
- Design for safe manufacture, build, delivery, erection/install & maintenance
- Design to facilitate safe use by considering all users
- Consider intended use & reasonably foreseeable misuse.
- Consider the difficulties workers may face when maintaining or repairing the structure
- Consider types of failure or malfunction & design the structure to fail in a safe manner.
- Understand the lifecycle of the item being designed, including the needs of users and the environment in which that item may be used.
There are legal requirements for anything designed to be used or interfaced by another person. This includes ;
- Design of products & services
- Design of new technology, computer programs, applications
- Design of Machines, Devices, Vehicles, Vessels, Ships, Plant etc
- Design of buildings & structures, temporary or transportable structures
Along with designers, a range of people have obligations to ensure Safe design. These include ;
- Persons with control of workplaces
- Manufacturers, importers & suppliers
- Persons who install, erect or make any changes to building structures
Navigating the rules can be tricky however our team of experts in practical safety in design can assist your teams at all stages with advice, tools and solutions to understand or manage your design responsibilities.