Design Standards & the Health and Safety at Work Act

Engineers before us have paved the way. Standardising norms that evolved through their many years of experience and hard graft, a vast array of guidance and standards have developed since. Large public organisations fund research and testing and designers benefit from some very detailed publications such as the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, local highway adoption guidance, and the replacement for Sewers for Adoption - the SSG Design & Construction Guidance.

But what happens when there’s no design standard aimed at the type of development you’re promoting?

Sometimes there are no well aligned standards. Reaching for the most comparable detailed design documentation from a public organisation is a logical direction to take but it must be remembered that while authorities are robust in their design standards this doesn’t always equate to a higher standard of design or meet an appropriate duty of care.

If a development could become a workplace subject to the Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, this requires adherence to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the level of care this places on an employer should be considered by any good designer.

Proactive communication between the client and designer is key, and identifying the needs of the end-user is paramount in getting things right. If you’re employing a design team, always think if they’re asking you the right questions.