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.
As the sun sets on 2024, it’s time to buckle up (safely, of course) and take a joyride through the latest news, events, and developments in safety in design across Australia. This year, we’ve seen progress, innovation, and, yes, a
SICK OF COVID LOCKDOWN? BORED?… PUT YOUR DOWNTIME TO WORK & GET CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS WITH 10% OFF SDA’S ONLINE ‘NOT BORING SAFE DESIGN COURSE’. To keep your Safety in Design skills sharp while the globe adheres to it’s
Safe Design in Practice: Construction Phase Safe Design Lifecycle: The Construction Phase Designers need to consider safety of people during the lifecycle of the structure when it will be used as a workplace. The main phases are during: construction of
Safe Design in Practice: Workshops Safe Design Workshops Designers can identify hazards to eliminate or minimise risk in design, construction and use of a structure by consulting with other duty holders through formal Safe Design Workshops. An early workshop –
Fire safety considerations for multi-storey childcare facilities Fire safety for childcare centres in highrise buildings. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) raised an important topic recently around the changing use of highrise buildings for facilities other than office or
Safe design doesn’t have to be boring! The ‘Not boring safe design course’. Safe design can prevent injury, improve productivity and usability, reduce costs, and help manage production and operations of your design projects. But most importantly, it incorporates
Safe Design – A Legal Overview* This article on ‘Safe Design – A Legal Overview’ is an excerpt of content from Safe Design Australia’s ebook “Safe Design in Practice, for designers of structures.’ It’s important to remember that the
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
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.
