Safety In Design Reports
Safety in Design Reports support designers, project teams and clients to meet Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations through the design process. At Safe Design Australia (SDA), we facilitate the preparation of Safety in Design Reports in a way that supports good design outcomes
The Safety in Design reports are used across a broad range of projects, from domestic residential work to complex commercial, and public infrastructure projects. Our reports are tailored to the specific risks and context of each design.— helping designers address safety requirements while preserving design intent and creative outcomes.
Our reports reflect current WHS legislation and relevant codes of practice and are prepared by experienced Safety in Design consultants. The Safety in Design reports are used across a broad range of projects, from domestic residential work to complex commercial, and public infrastructure projects. Our reports are tailored to the specific risks and context of each design.
What is a Safety in Design Report?
A Safety in Design Report documents how a design has been developed to eliminate, or where elimination is not reasonably practicable, minimise risks to health and safety. It focuses on hazards that are unique to the design and considers the full lifecycle of the structure — including construction, use, maintenance and demolition.
A typical report includes a project-specific risk register identifying foreseeable hazards, recording existing and proposed design controls, and highlighting any residual risks that may need to be managed later in the project lifecycle. It also supports consultation between designers, clients, contractors, end users and other duty holders by clearly communicating safety-critical design decisions and assumptions.
Why Safety in Design Reports are required
WHS legislation places duties on designers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that structures are designed to be without risks to health and safety when used as workplaces. This includes considering how a structure will be constructed, maintained, operated and ultimately demolished.
Where a design is commissioned by a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), designers are required to provide a written safety report identifying design-related hazards and outlining how those risks have been addressed. Designers must also provide relevant safety information to others who receive the design so risks are understood and managed throughout the project.
Safety in Design Reports provide a practical and defensible way to meet these obligations, demonstrating that safety has been considered early and systematically as part of the design process.
Who needs a Safety in Design Report?
Safety in Design Reports are relevant to a wide range of people involved in the design and delivery of buildings and structures, particularly where work will be carried out at a workplace. They are commonly required by:
- designers of structures, including engineers, architects and building designers
- specialist designers- eg Landscape, Water park, Playground, Public art
- project managers coordinating design and construction activities
- Design and Construct (D&C) companies
- owner builders commissioning designs that include workplaces
- clients and other PCBUs commissioning design services
Beyond compliance, Safety in Design Reports are a practical tool for clarifying responsibilities, supporting consultation and reducing the likelihood of safety issues emerging later in the project.
What’s included in an SDA Safety in Design Report
Each Safety in Design Report prepared by Safe Design Australia is tailored to the design, project stage and risk profile. Our reports focus on hazards specific to the design and document how those risks have been addressed through considered, design-led decisions developed in collaboration with the designer.
Reports typically include:
a project-specific risk register capturing hazards identified through the design review
documentation of controls already embedded within the design
recommended consultation activities with other duty holders, where relevant
recommended additional controls where risks can be further eliminated or minimised
identification of residual risks requiring management during construction, maintenance or demolition
references to relevant WHS legislation, codes of practice and Australian standards
This approach ensures responsibilities are clearly identified and aligned with the design approach, while maintaining a clear and defensible Safety in Design record.
Our consulting approach to Safety in Design
We approach Safety in Design Reports as a collaborative consulting process, not a box-ticking exercise.
Our Safety in Design process makes it straightforward for designers to submit plans and supporting information for review. Throughout the assessment, we work directly with designers to understand design intent, clarify decisions and identify practical, design-led ways to address hazards without compromising the quality of the design.
Through this collaborative review, we help designers confirm where risks have already been addressed through good design, where further refinement may be beneficial, and where residual risks need to be clearly communicated. This supports both legislative compliance and well-considered design outcomes.
Project types we support
We prepare Safety in Design Reports for a broad range of built-environment projects, including:
- domestic residential projects
- commercial buildings and developments
- mixed-use projects
- Special infrastructure design – Utilities, renewable, maritime, mining and sporting infrastructure
- landscape and external works
- other structures where WHS risks must be addressed through design
When Safety in Design Reports should be prepared
Safety in Design Reports are most effective when prepared early in the design process, ideally at concept or early design development stage. Addressing safety at this point provides the greatest opportunity to eliminate hazards through design.
Reports can be reviewed and updated as designs progress, particularly where designs change, construction methods evolve or new information becomes available.
Next steps and supporting resources
In addition to our consulting services, we offer practical tools and training to support designers and project teams, including:
- the How to Write a Safety in Design Report short online course
- purchase the Safety in Design Report and Risk Assessment Template (SD03)
- the Not Boring Safety in Design Course, our flagship Safety in Design general awareness training
These resources are designed to complement our consulting work and support designers at different stages of experience and responsibility to prepare a Safety in Design Report for their project.
FAQ's
1. Is a Safety in Design Report mandatory?
In many cases, yes. Where WHS legislation applies, designers have duties to identify and address health and safety risks through design and to provide safety information to others. A Safety in Design Report is a practical way to meet and demonstrate those obligations.
2. Who is responsible for preparing a Safety in Design Report?
Designers are responsible for ensuring safety risks are considered and documented, but reports are often prepared with specialist support. We work with designers to facilitate the process and document safety in design a way that aligns with the design intent and legislative requirements.
3. When should a Safety in Design Report be prepared?
Ideally early in the design process, when there is still flexibility to eliminate risks through design. Reports should be reviewed and updated as designs develop or change.
4. Is a Safety in Design Report just a checklist?
No. A meaningful Safety in Design Report focuses on hazards that are unique to the design and records considered, design-led decisions. It’s about applying judgement, not ticking boxes.
5. I’m building a residential house — do I need a Safety in Design Report?
A Safety in Design Report may be required where a residential building will also be used as a workplace. This can include situations where employees or service staff will work in the home, or where activities such as home-based care, education or other services are planned. In these cases, WHS duties can apply, and a Safety in Design Report helps demonstrate that safety in design risks have been considered through the design
