PRACTICAL RISK ASSESSMENT IN

DESIGNING FOR CONSTRUCTION SAFETY

Ir. Akhmad Suraji, MT.,PhD.,IPM

believe this method is the most straightforward for most organisations.

What is risk assessment?

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could

cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough
precautions or should do more to prevent harm. Workers and others have a right to
be protected from harm caused by a failure to take reasonable control measures.

Accidents and ill health can ruin lives and affect your business too if output is lost,
machinery is damaged, insurance costs increase or you have to go to court. You
are legally required to assess the risks in your workplace so that you put in place a
plan to control the risks.
 Health and S
Executive

How to assess the risks in your workplace

Follow the five steps in this leaflet:

Step 1
Identify the hazards

Step 2
Decide who might be harmed and how

Step 3
Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions

Step 4
Record your findings and implement them

Step 5
Review your assessment and update if necessary

Don’t overcomplicate the process. In many organisations, the risks are well kno
and the necessary control measures are easy to apply. You probably already k
whether, for example, you have employees who move heavy loads and so cou
harm their backs, or where people are most likely to slip or trip. If so, check th
 Executive

Step 1
Identify the hazards

First you need to work out how people could be harmed. When you work in a
place every day it is easy to overlook some hazards, so here are some tips to help
you identify the ones that matter:

■ Walk around your workplace and look at what could reasonably be expected
to cause harm.
■ Ask your employees or their representatives what they think. They may have
noticed things that are not immediately obvious to you.
■ Visit the HSE website (www.hse.gov.uk). HSE publishes practical guidance on
where hazards occur and how to control them. There is much information here
on the hazards that might affect your business.
■ If you are a member of a trade association, contact them. Many produce very
helpful guidance.
■ Check manufacturers’ instructions or data sheets for chemicals and
equipment as they can be very helpful in spelling out the hazards and putting
them in their true perspective.
■ Have a look back at your accident and ill-health records – these often help to
identify the less obvious hazards.
■ Remember to think about long-term hazards to health (eg high levels of
noise or exposure to harmful substances) as well as safety hazards.

Step 2
Decide who might be harmed and how
 noise or exposure to harmful substances) as well as safety hazards.

Step 2
Decide who might be harmed and how

For each hazard you need to be clear about who might be harmed; it will help you
identify the best way of managing the risk. That doesn’t mean listing everyone by
name, but rather identifying groups of people (eg ‘people working in the storeroom’
or ‘passers-by’).

In each case, identify how they might be harmed, ie what type of injury or ill health
might occur. For example, ‘shelf stackers may suffer back injury from repeated
lifting of boxes’.

Remember:

■ some workers have particular requirements, eg new and young workers, new
or expectant mothers and people with disabilities may be at particular risk.
Extra thought will be needed for some hazards;
■ cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers etc, who may not be in the
workplace all the time;
■ members of the public, if they could be hurt by your activities;
■ if you share your workplace, you will need to think about how your work affects
others present, as well as how their work affects your staff – talk to them; and
■ ask your staff if they can think of anyone you may have missed.
 Health and Safety
Executive

Step 3
Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
Having spotted the hazards, you then have to decide what to do about them. The
law requires you to do everything ‘reasonably practicable’ to protect people from
harm. You can work this out for yourself, but the easiest way is to compare what
you are doing with good practice.

There are many sources of good practice, for example HSE’s website
(www.hse.gov.uk).

So first, look at what you’re already doing, think about what controls you have in
place and how the work is organised. Then compare this with the good practice
and see if there’s more you should be doing to bring yourself up to standard. In
asking yourself this, consider:

■ Can I get rid of the hazard altogether?

■ If not, how can I control the risks so that harm is unlikely?

When controlling risks, apply the principles below, if possible in the following order:

■ try a less risky option (eg switch to using a less hazardous chemical);
■ prevent access to the hazard (eg by guarding);
■ organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard (eg put barriers between
pedestrians and traffic);
■ issue personal protective equipment (eg clothing, footwear, goggles etc); and
■ provide welfare facilities (eg first aid and washing facilities for removal of
contamination).

Improving health and safety need not cost a lot. For instance, placing a mirror on a
dangerous blind corner to help prevent vehicle accidents is a low-cost precaution
considering the risks. Failure to take simple precautions can cost you a lot more if
an accident does happen.

Involve staff, so that you can be sure that what you propose to do will work in
practice and won’t introduce any new hazards.

Step 4
Record your findings and implement them
practice and won’t introduce any new hazards.

Step 4
Record your findings and implement them

Putting the results of your risk assessment into practice will make a difference when
looking after people and your business.

Writing down the results of your risk assessment, and sharing them with your staff,
encourages you to do this. If you have fewer than five employees you do not have
to write anything down, though it is useful so that you can review it at a later date
if, for example, something changes.

When writing down your results, keep it simple, for example ‘Tripping over rubbish:
bins provided, staff instructed, weekly housekeeping checks’, or ‘Fume from
welding: local exhaust ventilation used and regularly checked’.
 Executive

We do not expect a risk assessment to be perfect, but it must be suitable and

sufficient. You need to be able to show that:

■ a proper check was made;

■ you asked who might be affected;
■ you dealt with all the significant hazards, taking into account the number of
people who could be involved;
■ the precautions are reasonable, and the remaining risk is low; and
■ you involved your staff or their representatives in the process.

There is a template at the end of this leaflet that you can print off and use.

If, like many businesses, you find that there are quite a lot of improvements
that you could make, big and small, don’t try to do everything at once. Make
a plan of action to deal with the most important things first. Health and safety
inspectors acknowledge the efforts of businesses that are clearly trying to make
improvements.

A good plan of action often includes a mixture of different things such as:

■ a few cheap or easy improvements that can be done quickly, perhaps as a

temporary solution until more reliable controls are in place;
■ long-term solutions to those risks most likely to cause accidents or ill health;
■ long-term solutions to those risks with the worst potential consequences;
■ arrangements for training employees on the main risks that remain and how
they are to be controlled;
■ regular checks to make sure that the control measures stay in place; and
■ clear responsibilities – who will lead on what action, and by when.

Remember, prioritise and tackle the most important things first. As you complete
each action, tick it off your plan.

Step 5
each action, tick it off your plan.

Step 5
Review your risk assessment and update if necessary

Few workplaces stay the same. Sooner or later, you will bring in new equipment,
substances and procedures that could lead to new hazards. It makes sense,
therefore, to review what you are doing on an ongoing basis. Every year or so
formally review where you are, to make sure you are still improving, or at least not
sliding back.

Look at your risk assessment again. Have there been any changes? Are there
improvements you still need to make? Have your workers spotted a problem?
Have you learnt anything from accidents or near misses? Make sure your risk
assessment stays up to date.

When you are running a business it’s all too easy to forget about reviewing your
risk assessment – until something has gone wrong and it’s too late. Why not set a
review date for this risk assessment now? Write it down and note it in your diary as
an annual event.

During the year, if there is a significant change, don’t wait. Check your risk
assessment and, where necessary, amend it. If possible, it is best to think about
the risk assessment when you’re planning your change – that way you leave
yourself more flexibility.
 Five steps to risk assessment Five steps to risk assessment

Company name: Date of risk assessment:

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already What further action is How will you put the
doing? necessary? assessment into action?
Spot hazards by: Identify groups of people. Remember:
List what is already in place to You need to make sure that Remember to prioritise. Deal
■ walking around your workplace; ■ some workers have particular needs; reduce the likelihood of harm or you have reduced risks ‘so far with those hazards that are
■ asking your employees what they think; ■ people who may not be in the workplace all make any harm less serious. as is reasonably practicable’. high-risk and have serious
■ visiting the Your industry areas of the HSE the time; An easy way of doing this is to consequences first.
website; ■ members of the public; compare what you are already
■ checking manufacturers’ instructions; ■ if you share your workplace think about how doing with good practice. If
Five steps to risk assessment

■ contacting your trade association. your work affects others present. there is a difference, list what Action Action Done
needs to be done. by whom by when
Don’t forget long-term health hazards. Say how the hazard could cause harm.

Executive
Health and Safety
Page 7 of 8

■ Review your assessment to make sure you are still improving, or at least not sliding back.
Step 5 Review date: ■ If there is a significant change in your workplace, remember to check your risk assessment and
where necessary, amend it.

10 Feel free to photocopy this template for your own risk assessment. This template can be downloaded from the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/risk 11
PLANNING SUPERVISORS (CDM, 2005)

Project Project Project

Inception & Planning & Design Construction
Formulation Process Process Process

ICSM

Clients or Client’s Project Architects & Constructors &

Client’s Team, including Engineers Operatives
Representative QS
Pre-Project Stage
Proposed Construction Safety Protocol
Pre-Construction Stage Construction Stage

Phase 3: Phase 4: Phase 5: Phase 6: Phase 7: Phase 8:

Substantive Outline Full Conceptual Coordinated Production Construction
Feasibility & Conceptual Design Design, Information
Outline Financial Design Procurement &
Authority Full Financial
Authority

Initial Safety Revised Safety Updated Safety Updated Safety Finalised Safety Manage Site
Assessment assessment assessment assessment assessment safety

Based on the Based on site Pre-tender safety Safety plan All safety issues All actual safety
solution identified and plan based on detailed before construction should be
at this phase environmental design solution works should be presented and
revisions documented and compared with the
finalised plan to enable the
feedback loop for
future projects.

Adapted from The Process Protocol of The University of Salford

SECTION 2 LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY MATRIX
Design and
Traditional Collaborative
Construct
Type Contract Contract
Contract

Constructor

Constructor

Constructor
Designer

Designer

Designer
Client

Client

Client
BEST PRACTICES

1.1 Establish a Project Safety Management Framework L C C L C C L P P

1.2 Identify Safety Champions for Appointment to the Project Safety Leadership Team L C C L C C L P P
1.3 Appoint a Project Safety Leadership Team L C C L C C L P P
1.4 Develop Project Safety Charter L C C L C C L P P
1.5 Develop Project Safety Master Plan L C C L C C L P P
1.6 Specify Safety Requirements in Project Design Brief L C C L C C L P P
Stage 1: Planning

1.7 Include Safe Design Requirements in Design Consultant Contracts L C C L C C L P P

1.8 Select ‘Safe’ Designer L C C L C C L P P
1.9 Establish Requirements for Safety in Design L C C L C C L P P
1.10 Communicate Safety Commitments to Prospective Stakeholders L C C L C C L P P
1.11 Communicate Project Safety Risk Information to Relevant Stakeholders L C C L C C L P P
1.12 Conduct Risk Analysis of Project Options L C C L C C L P P
1.13 Undertake Technical Feasibility Studies of Viable Options L C C L C C L P P
1.14 Select Preferred Project Option Based on Robust Risk Assessment L C C L C C L P P
1.15 Record Safety Information in Project Risk Register L C C L C C L P P
1.16 Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Safety L C C L C C L P P
1.17 Continuously Develop Safety Capabilities L C C L C C L P P
1.18 Develop Long-term Relationships Within the Supply Chain L C C L C C L P P

2.1 Develop Design Safety Plan P L C P L P P L P

2.2 Specify How Safety is to be Addressed in Tenders for Construction L P C L C C L C C
2.3 Include Safety Requirements in Construction Contract Documents L P C L C C L P P
2.4 Establish Assessment Criteria for Prospective Constructors L P C L C C L P P
2.5 Evaluate Tenders against Safety Criteria L P C L C C L C C
2.6 Select ‘Safe’ Constructor L P C L C C L C C
Stage 2: Design

2.7 Conduct Safety Reviews to Eliminate/Reduce Risk at Concept and Detailed Design P L C P L L P L P
Stages
2.8 Consider Constructability/Maintainability in Design Safety Reviews P L C P L L P L P
2.9 Include Safety Information in Design Documentation C L C C L L P L P
2.10 Communicate Relevant Project Safety Risk Information to Prospective L P C L P P L P P
Constructors
2.11 Record Residual Safety Risk Information in the Project Risk Register L P C L P P P L P
2.12 Review Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Safety L P P L P P L L L
2.13 Continuously Develop Safety Capabilities L P C L P P L L L
2.14 Provide Mentoring Scheme for SME Designers L P C L P P L L L

3.1 Develop Construction Safety Plan P C L P P L P P L

3.2 Demonstrate Management Commitment to Safety Processes at All Levels L C L L P L L L L
3.3 Implement Senior Management-led ‘Safety Walks’ L C L L P L L L L
3.4 Conduct Regular Site Inspections L C L L P L L L L
3.5 Consultation & Talking Safety L C L L P L L L L
Stage 3 :Construction

3.6 Design Safe Construction Processes C C L C L L L L L

3.7 Review Safety Risk in Design Changes C L P C L P L L L
3.8 Communicate Safety Risk Information to Relevant Stakeholders P C L P P L L L L
3.9 Provide Regular Safety Performance Feedback to Project Personnel P C L P P L L L L
3.10 Implement Systematic Risk Management Processes P P L P P L L L L
3.11 Identify & Rectify Safety Deficiencies C P L P P L L L L
3.12 Record Risk Information C C L P P L L L L
3.13 Undertake Regular Measurement of Project Safety Performance C C L P P L L L L
3.14 Regularly Analyse Project Safety Performance Data C C L L P L L L L
3.15 Continuously Develop Safety Capabilities L P L P L L L L L
3.16 Promote Safety Management Practices within SME Subcontractors C C L P P L L L L
3.17 Implement Safety Mentoring System for SME Subcontractors C C L P P L L L L

4.1 Develop Commissioning Safety Plan P L P P L P P L P

4.2 Perform Post-Construction Review L P P L P P L P P
4.3 Evaluate Post-Project Performance L P P L P P L L L
Stage 4: Post-Construction

4.4 Recognition and Reward of Good Safety Management & Leadership L L L L L L L L L

4.5 Evaluate Effectiveness of Design Safety Reviews P L L P L L L L L
4.6 Record Effective Design Solutions for Future Projects P L P P L L L L L
4.7 Communicate Safety Knowledge to all Project Participants L P P L P P L L L
4.8 Establish Safety Requirements for Facility Management L P P L P P L L L
4.9 Conduct Appropriate Testing of Plant/Equipment Prior to Commissioning C P L C L L L L L
4.10 Record Safety Information Relevant to the Facility’s Operation & Maintenance C L L C L L L L L
4.11 Undertake Collaborative Post-Project Review of Safety Performance L P P L P P L L L
4.12 Capture and Record Lessons Learnt for Future Projects L L L L L L L L L
4.13 Review Long Term Relationships with SMEs L L L L L L L L L
4.14 Future Interface Between Prime Contractors and Sub-contractors C C L C L L L L L

L =Takes a leadership role in P= Participates in C = Is Communicated to

DESIGNING FOR SAFETY

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Designer’s Assessment of Safety during Construction and Maintenance
taking account of the Principles of Prevention
Pro jec t: Designer: Date :

Company name Checker: Sheet no:

Ref:

Design Stage: Concept

No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action
1 Construction in ground Elimination/mitigation by re-locating
with high water table building requires action by Project
Coordinator (Design Stage)/design team.
Referred to Project Coordinator (Design
Stage) the possibility of re-locating but
this was considered impracticable. Risk
mitigated by omitting the basement and re-
locating the plant room.

2 River flooding during Ditto

construction

3 Construction in Re-location of building away from area of

contaminated soil contaminated soil not practical but Project
Coordinator (Design Stage)/design team agreed
contaminated soil would be specified to be
removed by a specialist sub-contractor from
beneath the building before general
construction commences.

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

Nos. 1 and 2, being “Particular Risks”, will be noted in the Preliminary
Health and Safety Plan
No. 3: Removal of contaminated soil to be in the project specification and
noted in the Preliminary Health and Safety Plan.
Designer’s Assessment of Safety dur ing C onstruction and Maintenance
taking account of the Pr inciples of Prevention
Project: Designer: Date:
Company name Checker: Sheet no:
Ref:
D es i g n S t a ge : Sche me des ign (sh eet 1 of 2)

No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action

1 Erection of structural Practical design options are steel or precast
frame to production area concrete. Neither has any inherent abnormal
risks and it is considered neither will offer
any significant overall advantage over the
other with regard to safety during
construction or maintenance.

For other reasons steel is selected. The

design will allow the sub-contractor to
fabricate as large sections as possible off-
site. Shop painting, rather than site
applied, will be specified. On-site welding
will be avoided as much as possible.

Advise the Project Coordinator (Design

Stage)/design team that consideration be
given to minimizing features that require
loose secondary steel (e.g. rooflights,
irregular windows etc.)

2 Office area structure The office area is irregular, indicating for

the first floor in-situ concrete as the
simplest form of construction thus minimising
hazards. Detailed design will standardise
beam/slab/column sizes as much as reasonably
practicable.

The architect requires the slab to cantilever

in a manner which, in the temporary
condition, could be unstable; the contractor
will be provided with sufficient information
to enable him develop a safe construction
sequence.

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

Item 1: Note on drawings or in the specification that off-site fabrication
should be maximised
Item 2: Information on drawings Regarding cantilever slab stability; noted
a l s o i n P r e l i m i n a r y H e a l t h a n d S a f e t y P l a n ..
Design er’s Asse ssmen t o f Safet y dur ing C onstru ct ion an d Ma in ten an ce
taking account of the Pr inciples of Prevention
Project: Designer: Date:
Company name Checker: Sheet no:
Ref:
Design Stage: Sch eme d esig n ( she et 2 of 2)
No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action
3 Substructures It has been decided that contaminated soil
will be removed by a specialist sub-
contractor. Then, by removing also the
remaining layer of soft silt, either granular
fill suitable to support a floating ground
floor slab, or other fill but with a
suspended concrete floor can be used. The
former is chosen, in consultation with the
Project Coordinator (Design Stage)/design
team, on cost, flexibility and safety
grounds.

Foundation types considered were piles, raft

or bases/strip footings. Piles are not cost
effective with good ground at just 1.5 to
2.0m depth. Bases/strips were chosen. Mass
concrete will be used to minimise
construction time below ground.

4 Roofing Non-fragile roof decking will be used for

safety during construction and maintenance.
(Note: Other members of the design team are
considering matters such as rooflights, roof
profiles to minimise internal gutters, access
for and protection during external cleaning,
etc)

5 Atrium A glazed atrium is required for architectural

reasons and internally this is to be cleaned
from a platform hoist. The floor slab will be
designed to cater for the loading imposed by
the intended hoist. If hooks for maintenance
safety harnesses are also required (as
determined by the architect), the steel
fabricator will be referred to the
architect’s requirements for these. The
location and extent of holes/hooks in
structural members for erectors safety
harnesses to be determined by the
fabricator/erector and submitted for the
structural engineer’s consent.

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

Item 3: Tenderers/contractor’s attention will be drawn, by way of a note on
the drawings and reference in the Preliminary Health and Safety Plan, to the
risk from flooding and high water table that must be controlled by pumping
and/or other suitable measures. Also, highlight on the drawings the
specification requirement that temporary supports to all excavations must be
provided by the contractor as necessary.
Item 5: Various relevant notes to go on the drawings
Designer’s Assessment of Safety dur ing C onstruction and Maintenance
taking account of the Pr inciples of Prevention
Project: Designer: Date:
Company name Checker: Sheet no:
Ref:
Design Stage: Det ail ed desi gn
No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action

Decisions made in the last stage are carried

through to final detailing/specification,
including:

o Low maintenance painting spec.

finalised in consultation with
the architect
o Bolted site connections
specified
o Information provided regarding
office cantilever slab
sufficient to enable the
contractor develop a safe
construction sequence
o Harness hook points as required
for atrium cleaning noted on
steelwork general arrangement
drawings.

Generally details are simplified and

standardised as much as reasonably
practicable.

Minimum of 4 holding down bolts will be

specified for all braced- bay columns.

No particular erection sequence is

necessitated by the design and therefore none
will be stipulated.

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

As noted at Concept and Scheme Design stages
Designer’s Assessment of Safety during Construction and Maintenance
taking account of the Principles of Prevention

Project: Designer: Date:

Company name Checker: Sheet no:

Ref:

Design Stage: 1
No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action

1. Deep Excavation Consider construction method

Get geotechnical advice

2. Contaminated Land Specify prior removal/ disposal

3. Deep Sumps (maintenance) Ladders / stairs / landings / handrails

4. Sewer Gas (also Ventilation

maintenance) Zoned areas

5. Overhead power line Discuss diversion with the public utility

company

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

1. Specify that cofferdam be used
2. Preliminary Health and Safety Plan
3. Preliminary Health and Safety Plan
4. Include in contract (nominated subcontract with the public utility
company)
DESIGNING FOR SAFETY

CIVIL ENGINEERS
Designer’s Assessment of Safety during Construction and Maintenance
taking account of the Principles of Prevention

Project: Designer: Date:

Company name Checker: Sheet no:

Ref:

Design Stage: 2
No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action

1. Deep Excavation See geotechnical report

Secant piling recommended
Design structure as recommended

2. Contaminated Land Specify prior removal

Estimate quantity

3. Deep Sump (maintenance) Stairs where possible

Landings
Handrails

4. Sewer gas (also Ventilation system, 10 air changes /hr

maintenance) Zoned area/ explosion proof motors/lights
Provide breathing apparatus

5. Overhead power lines Specify prior diversion by the public utility

company

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

1. Preliminary Health and Safety Plan
2. Preliminary Health and Safety Plan
4. Preliminary Health and Safety Plan
5. Preliminary Health and Safety Plan
Designer’s Assessment of Safety during Construction and Maintenance
taking account of the Principles of Prevention

Pro jec t: Designe r : Date :

Company name
Ref: Checker: Sheet N o:

Design Stage: 1 Outline

No. Key Hazards Identified Decisions / Action

1. Util ity Se r vice s a. Divert high tension line, overhead

b. Div ert unde rgr oun d gas
c. Fir e m a in w ill cr o ss o ver dr a in

2. Over hea d S e rvic es Dive rt bef o re c ont rac t or t ake s s i te.

3. Pylo ns, Ma s ts or L igh t ning a. Safe ty Pla n – E art hin g pro vis ion s
Cond uct ors
b. Tes t f a cili tie s

4. Low Lev el T erra in Stru ctu ral Engi nee r/ A rchi tec t on flo odi ng
prot ect ion .

5. Grou nd Gas e s Note fo r d e tail de sig n .

6. Fuel St ora g e Oil rem ote from un it o n de vel opm e nt p lan , no

spec ial pr o visi ons fo r gas .

Test ing sa f ety sys tem s

7. Boil er Hou s e Loca tio n a t gro und le v el o n p eri m eter of

buil din g u n it – di rec t Nat ion al v enti lat ion
prov ide d.

Heav y p lan t acc ess

Items to be drawn to the attention of tenders/ contractors:

1. a, b & c Si t e se rvi ces draw ing s
3. Info rm Pro j ect Coo rdi n ator De sig n Sta ge and note fo r t e stin g
sect ion of elec tri cal spec ifi cat i on.
DESIGNING FOR SAFETY

UTILITY ENGINEERS
Designer’s Assessment of Safety during Construction and Maintenance
taking account of the Principles of Prevention

P r o je c t : D e s ig n e r : Date:
Company name
Ref: Checker: Sheet No.

Design Stage: 2 Det ai l De sig n ( shee t 1)

No. Key Hazards Identified Action

1. Underground Services Sub-station provided – power to run in

underfloor ducts.
Keep vents clear, protected from heavy
traffic.

2. Overhead Services High tension services have been diverted.

Telephone cables to be marked.

3. Pylons, Masts or Lightning Lightning protection to be provided at early

Conductors stage.
Testing points included.

4. Sump Types Pumps to be installed and commissioned before

completion of contract.
Fall arrestor, wash down, emergency light and
ventilation provided, emergency alarm
included

5. Ground Gases Vents to air being provided in all aprons

adjoining building.
Vents to be kept clear and clean.

6. Building Envelope for Gas Test voids for noxious gases.

Penetration No history of gases.

7. Safe Access Fixed ladders provided to overhead services

with walkways and platforms
Platforms have attention arrestor rails.
Ducts have width for walking and ventilation
provided.
Protection rails at switchboards.

Items to be drawn to the attention of tenders/ contractors:

Designer’s Assessment of Safety during Construction and Maintenance
taking account of the Principles of Prevention

Pro jec t: Des igne r : Date :

Company name
Ref: Checker: Sheet N o.

Design Stage: 2 Detail Design (Sheet 2)

No. Key Hazards Identified Action

8. Elec tri cal Plan t Prot ect ion barr ier in ware hou se a rea doo r
fixe rs on d istr ibu tio n boa rds , y e llow me n for
rest ric tin g pas ser s b y e at di str i buti on
boar ds.

9. Mech ani cal Plan t Heav y l ift i ng b eam s i n clud ed. A l l ta nks to
have fu ll a rres tor la d ders an d h o ops.

10. Test ing Safe ty sys t ems lis ted for rou tin e tes t.

Sche dul es f or m ain ten a nce pro vid e d.

Items to be drawn to the attention of tenders/ contractors:

1. Add no t es t o s ite draw ing s.
2. See ce r tifi cat ion .
3. Tes t r e cord s.
4. All dr a inag e t o b e tes ted .
7. Che ck a ll a cce ss p rovi sio ns.
9. Tes t c e rtif ica tes .
DESIGNING FOR SAFETY

ARCHITECTS
Designer’s Assessment of Safety dur ing C onstruction and Maintenance
taking account of the Pr inciples of Prevention

Project: Designer: Date:

Company name Checker: Sheet no:

Ref:

Work Stage: 1 - In cep tion an d G ener al Stu dies

No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action

1 Client indicates site Initial appraisal indicates that relocation

subject to flooding is not an option for Client. Further survey
will be required – input from civil engineer.

2 Overhead power lines Diversion of lines required. Establish if

Client will agree to pre-contract removal.
Contact made with the public utility company.

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

1 Being a “Particular Risk”, will be noted in the Preliminary Health
and Safety Plan
2 Being a “Particular Risk”, will be noted in the Preliminary Health
and Safety Plan
Design er’s Asse ssmen t o f Safet y dur ing C onstru ct ion an d Ma in ten an ce
takin g a ccou nt of the Pr in ciples of Pre ven tion

Project: Designer: Date:

Company name Checker: Sheet no:

Ref:

Work Stage: 2 - Outline proposals

No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action

1 Survey establishes high Consider eliminating proposed basement and

water table basement plant room

2 Survey establishes Relocation not an option for client.

contaminated ground Contaminated soil to be removed by specialist
contractor in enabling works pre-contract as
recommended by civil engineer.

3 Production Area Structural engineer advises no abnormal risks

in steel frame proposed and off site
fabrication can be facilitated

4 Office Basement removed – plant on roof. Slab

cantilever discussed with structural engineer
who will inform contractor to enable him to
develop a safe construction sequence.

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

1 Being a “Particular Risk”, to be noted in Preliminary Health and

Safety Plan
2 Ditto
4 Info on drawings in relation to cantilever slab and noted in the
Preliminary Health and Safety Plan
Design er’s Asse ssmen t o f Safet y dur ing C onstru ct ion an d Ma in ten an ce
takin g a ccou nt of the Pr in ciples of Pre ven tion

Project: Designer: Date:

Company name Checker: Sheet no:

Ref:

Work Stage: 3 - Scheme Design

No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action

1 Atrium Client change to programme requires greater

reception/display/social space. Exising open
court to be glazed as atrium. Internal
cleaning by cherry picker as permanent access
not possible. Discuss and inform structural
engineer with specialist location of fixings
for safety harnesses.

2 Roofing Non-fragile roof, rooflights to be used.

Provision made for access to plant, external
cleaning etc.
Permanent perimeter edge protection can be
provided

3 Maintenance .Maintenance of completed building:

• Low maintenance paint spec
• Low maintenance external cladding
• Windows to be cleaned from inside
building

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

1 Atrium being a “Particular Risk”, to be noted in the Preliminary
Health and Safety Plan and as noted in Stages 1 & 2
Designer’s Assessment of Safety dur ing Construction and Maintenance
taking account of the Pr inciples of Prevention

Project: Designer: Date:

Company name Checker: Sheet no:

Ref:

Work Stage: 4 an d 5 - Det ail De sign /Bu ild ing Reg ula tion s, Pro duct ion
Info rma tio n
No. Key hazards identified Decisions/action

1 Assessments from As noted in each Assessment. Design and

structural engineer, specifications changes not required.
civil engineer and Decisions made in previous stages to be
services consultants carried through in final
drawings/specifications including:

• Atrium cleaning fixings

• Structural systems
• Non-fragile roofing and rooflights
• Cleaning access/maintenance
• Perimeter protection
• Plant access/maintenance
• Structural engineer, civil
engineer and services consultants
and confirm all spec/drgs items
carried through in their
drgs/specs.
2 Power Lines

Client does not want pre-contract removal.

Inform contractor of need to move lines at
earliest stage in the contract.

Items to be drawn to the attention of contractor(s):

As noted in Stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5