About Design for Safety

Definition: Design for Safety

Design for Safety (DfS) is the process of identifying and reducing safety and health risks through good design at the conceptual and planning phases of a project.

Laws and Industry Standards

As a developer or designer, you are expected to comply with Singapore's WSH laws. You should pay particular attention to:

• WSH (Design for Safety) Regulations 2015
• WSH (Construction) Regulations 2007
• WSH (Risk Management) Regulations

You should also observe the WSH Guidelines on Design for Safety.

Stakeholders and Duties

Developers

• Work together with the designer to ensure foreseeable design risks are eliminated or reduced.
• Communicate foreseeable design risks, allocate sufficient time and appropriate resources for designers and contractors to perform their duties.

DfS Professionals

• Convene DfS Review Meetings on behalf of the developer.
• Keep an updated copy of DfS Register.
• Provide all relevant information on each foreseeable risk identified and its mitigation to the developer.

Designers

• Ensure foreseeable design risks are eliminated or reduced through the design plan.
• Ensure collective protective measures are taken to manage any residual design risks.
• Ensure all relevant information on design, construction and maintenance are available to stakeholders.

Contractors

• Inform developer or main contractor of any foreseeable risks.
• Provide all relevant information and ensure persons (e.g. subcontractors) hired are competent to carry out their duties.
• Carry out risk assessments to mitigate risks.
• Ensure safety during the construction phase.

Owners

• Keep a copy of the DfS Register.
• Communicate all foreseeable risks to persons carrying out maintenance and future works.
• Hand over DfS Register to future owners.

Watch the DfS Video below to learn more about the various stakeholders involved in a construction project and how they can work together to improve WSH outcomes through DfS.