Design for Safety

The WSH (Design for Safety) Regulations has been gazetted and published on 10 July 2015 and has been in operation since 1 August 2016.

The key provisions of the proposed WSH (DfS) Regulations are:

 

1. To place duties on developers and designers

The proposed Regulations will place duties on developers and designers to identify and address foreseeable risks throughout the lifecycle of a construction project. Where risks cannot be mitigated by design interventions, it will have to be communicated to those involved in the construction project.

 

2. To require implementation of a DfS review process throughout every phase of the construction project

The implementation of a DfS review process throughout every phase of the construction project (or whenever design changes are made) would ensure that risks in the design are highlighted and managed in a systematic and coordinated way. By making it a mandatory requirement, we can ensure that time and resources are set aside to address the WSH risks at the design and planning stage.

 

3. To require a DfS register for all construction projects

To ensure vital information is communicated downstream, the regulations will require proper record keeping of WSH risk for future reference via a DfS register. The DfS register will record (i) safety and health issues identified during the design reviews and actions taken; and (ii) risks that cannot be removed through design changes. The DfS register should be a live document which will be updated as and when new WSH risks are identified.

 

4. To allow developers to appoint a DfS professional

Developers have the option to discharge their duties, such as the facilitation of the DfS review process and the preparation of a DfS register, to a DfS professional. Nonetheless, to ensure that developers take responsibility for the risks they create, they would have to make arrangements to ensure that the DfS professional carries out his assigned duties with due diligence.

 

5. To mandate it for projects with contract value of $10 million and above 

For a start, the Regulations apply only to projects with contract value of $10 million and above. Over the last two years, about 80% of fatal accidents and dangerous occurrences in the construction industry were contributed by projects with contract value of $10 million and above.

The above information is abstracted from www.wshc.sg. 

Here is the WSH guidelines -Design for safety from Workplace Safety and Health Council for your use

What is WSH Guidelines

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Design for Safety to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -Design for Safety Scope

The Workplace Safety and Health (DfS) Regulations 2015 require stakeholders such as Developers, Designers and Contractors to work together at the earliest opportunity from the planning and design phases onwards, to identify and eliminate or reduce all foreseeable risks to an Affected Person’s safety

or health throughout the life cycle of a structure being designed, from its construction, operation and maintenance, until its demolition. The Regulations aim to:

• Place responsibility of the safety and health of workers in the construction industry on those who create the risks;

• Achieve sustained workplace safety and health (WSH) improvements through better coordination amongst all stakeholders by managing the WSH risks upstream at the design and planning phase; and

• Improve the planning and effectiveness of the management of safety and health risks throughout every phase of the construction project, i.e. from design and construction stages through to the maintenance of the completed building.

The Regulations also aims to direct stakeholders to work together and perform their DfS duties, and promote safe execution of construction and maintenance works so that structures can be safe workplaces. 

How can Concord Associates Pte Ltd help your organisation in Design for Safety (DfS)?

 

To find out further on how we can help you, kindly email to us at marketing@concordassociates.com.sg or call us at 65155248.