Our blog shares practical insights on Safety in Design, WHS legislation, and risk management across the built environment. Articles are written for designers, engineers, and duty holders seeking to reduce risk early in the design process and meet Australian regulatory requirements.
Safe Design Legislation – Some Definitions The following are definitions of key terms and aspects from Australia’s Safe Design Legislation, explaining the various parties and contributors as well as key elements in the WHS Act and legislation. Here we explain:
Case Study: Safety in Design for Residential Structures Safety in Design for Residential structures This case study for safety in design for residential structures is a compilation of design planning and structure issues from several different residential building and renovation
The Genoa Bridge Tragedy. The question of responsibility. The Genoa Bridge Tragedy: On 14 August 2018, a viaduct – a major motorway, constructed in the 1960s in the north of Italy, collapsed, killing 43 people. Cars, trucks and people
Whose responsibility is it to ensure design safety? Responsibility for safe design. The biggest mistake many building design and architectural practices make is assuming they do not need to do anything in relation to their duties under work health
Case Study: Safe Maintenance for Affinity Water, United Kingdom Innovative office design for safe maintenance This building was designed for Affinity Water in Hatfield Business Park in the United Kingdom. Safe maintenance was a key component in the design
Duties of Designers under Safe Design legislation ‘Safe design’ of structures involves designers preventing potential injuries by considering safety throughout the design process. Analysis of fatal accidents on building sites show that many are due to shortcomings in design
Case Study: Childcare Centre Safe Design This case study is a compilation of issues from several different childcare projects. Identifying hazards during the design phase Every project has its own unique considerations, and in this particular project, the design
The benefit of hindsight. Changing outcomes for the future. Safe design. The benefit of hindsight… In February this year, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit regions of Taiwan. The image of a propped up Marshall Hotel in Huelin did the rounds
Construction incident causes death of two workers What can we learn about structure design and the safe design process? In October 2016, two workers employed in a $25 million development at Eagle Farm Racetrack in Brisbane, were killed when an
Case Study: Prince Alfred Park Pool, Sydney “The overriding principle was to premiate landscape over built form, based on a conviction that in these inner urban areas, green space is sacred.” Source: 2014 Sydney Design Awards submission. Based on this
Case Study: AIR Apartments, Sydney This Case Study for AIR Apartments, Sydney shows the importance that a Safe Design Workshop and consultation early in the design development phase can contribute to positive design outcomes and deliverables for a large scale
What is Safe Design? ‘Safe Design‘ is the process of integrating key construction and mitigation factors into the early stages of the design process of a structure. It can also be known as ‘Safety in Design’. Safe Design is the
Job Role in SDA
SIA Certified Safety Professional, Postgraduate Diploma (Occupational Health & Safety), Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management), Diploma of Teaching, CPTED – NSW Police, Member UNSW Expert Witness Panel.
John is the Director of Safe Design Australia, recognised internationally for his leadership in Safety in Design, WHS and risk management. With over two decades of experience across construction, telecommunications, infrastructure and education, he has driven industry change for organisations including Vodafone Global, NBN Co and the NSW Government, and steered several industry bodies toward excellence in Safe Design and WHS.
aA certified Safety Professional and expert witness, John turns complex legislation into practical design solutions that improve safety outcomes. His strategic approach and collaborative style continue to shape best practice across Australia and the Asia–Pacific, helping architects, engineers and regulators embed safety from concept to completion.
When not guiding projects or mentoring the next generation of Safety in Design professionals, John can be found sailing through Southeast Asia, racing in the Sydney to Hobart, or on a motorcycle exploring roads less travelled.
