Safety in Design for Schools

Allison Crunden

Safety in Design Consultant, Architecture & Access

Outline• What is Safety in Design for buildings and

structures including schools

• Responsibilities for Safety in Design

• Legislative Framework

• Method for determining Safe Design

• Case Studies

Introduction to Safety in Design

for buildings and structuresAustralian WHS Strategy

2012-2022

Strategic Outcomes:

Hazards are eliminated and

minimised by design

• Structures, plant and

substances are designed to

eliminate or minimise

hazards and risks before

they are introduced into the

workplace

• Work, work processes and

systems of work are

designed and managed to

eliminate or minimise

hazards and risks.

Australian WHS Strategy 2012-2022

What is Safety in Design as it

relates to structures• Safe design means the integration of

control measures early in the design

process to eliminate or, if this is not

reasonable practicable, minimise risks

to health and safety throughout the life

of the structure being designed. Safe Work Australia 2012

Working Above the Line

Above the line – eliminating hazards at

the design stage is easier and cheaper

than making changes after the structure is

completed

What Safety in Design is not

• Designers being responsible

or taking a role in

construction safety during

construction

• About listing all the typical

hazards that a client should

be expected to already know

• About telling a constructor

things they should reasonably

be expected to already know

Who has Responsibilities?

• A PCBU that designs a structure

– Including architects, engineers, building

surveyors, building service designers etc

• A PCBU that commissions construction work

• Principal Contractor

– Commissions the construction work OR

– Is engaged by the client to be the principal

contractor and has authorised control of the

workplace

Responsibility to:• School employees

• Students

• Contractors

• School families

• Members of the public and people

who may be affected by the building

or structure

Legislative Framework

Act

Regulations

Codes of Practice

Australian Standards

Guidance Notes. Industry Standards

Compliance Required

Voluntary Guidance Material

Victoria – OHS Act 2004

WA – OSH Act 1984

All other states – WHS Act

2011 or 2012

Legislative Requirements• Design a structure that is

without risks to the health

and safety of persons

• Carry out or arrange

calculation, analysis, testing

or examination required to

achieve the above

• Provide information to each

person provided with the

design

Safety in Design Reviews –

Stages of Design• Safe Design of Structures – Code of

Practice 2012 from Safe Work

Australia recommends a three phase

process for integrating risk

management into the design process

– Phase 1 : Pre-Design

– Phase 2 : Schematic and Conceptual

Design

– Phase 3 : Design Development

Ability to Influence Safety

CostAbility to

influence

safety

Project

Schedule

Adapted from Szymberski 1997

Pre-Design

• Establish the design context

• Establish consultation methods with the

client

• Establish risk assessment protocal

• Obtain information including

– Intended use of structure or current use of

structure if it is a refurbishment/upgrade

– Industry injury/illness profile and statistics

– Guidance on structure hazards and possible

solutions

Case Study

Maribyrnong Secondary College

Concept/Schematic Design• Preliminary Hazard Analysis and consultation

• Identify hazards that are affected by the

design of the structure and are within control

of the designer

• Consider:

– Siting

– High consequence

– hazards

– Systems of work

– Environment

– Incident mitigation

Case Study

Christ Church Grammar School

Design Development• Determine how risks will be eliminated

or minimised through either

– Implementing solutions from recognised

Standards OR

– Conducting a risk assessment process

Why?

• Hazards with no suitable

solutions

• Poor safety record with the

hazard

• Requirement to build above

standard

Design Development

Conducting a risk assessment process

• Consider what could happen if someone is

exposed to the hazard

• Test design assumptions

• Consult with key people

• Conduct testing of structures or components

• Review previous design documentation

Design solutions to consider the hierarchy of control

Case Study

Melbourne Grammar School

Tender/Construction

Documentation• Review design solutions to confirm

that risk controls are effective in

reducing risk

• Redesign if required

• Continue consultation

Construction• Review any changes to the design

that are made during construction to

determine the impact on the agreed

design controls

• Determine if any new risks may have

been introduced during construction

Safety in Design Workshops

• Detailed hazard identification and risk

analysis

• Conducted with all relevant stakeholders if

possible

• Involve people who are experts in the

construction and maintenance of the

structure

Challenges for schools

• Lack of knowledge of the process for

designing and constructing a building

• School principal is in effect, the school’s site

manager

• Ongoing school

operation

• Time constraints

• Budget constraints

Safety

• Fitout to ensure smooth corners

• Adequate ventilation

• Avoid positioning operable windows in

traffic areas

• Minimising and controlling roof access

• Traffic management

• Non slip surfaces

• Access for emergency recovery

Security

• Logical access to site,

permit supervision of

entry

• Avoid nooks and

crannies

• Finishes and design to

discourage vandalism

• Lighting

Security• Compartmentalising

facilities for out of hours

use

• PA system

• Design allows easy

supervision by teachers

• Safe access to toilets

• Safe access to carparks

Hazards posed by innovative

design• Green walls/roofs

• Ergonomic issues

• Manual handling of furniture,

moveable walls etc

Hazards posed by innovative

design• Smaller spaces and break areas

make teacher supervision more

difficult

• Larger windows require additional

structural reinforcement

• Schools may be engineered beyond

the capacity of maintenance staff to

monitor controls and service the

equipment

Questions