Project Managers, Builders, Contractors and Facility Managers
Under the Federal Aged Care Act all parties to a facility development are obliged to identify Access and OHS hazards at a pre design stage and where possible, ‘design out’ the causes of OHS claims.
A person who designs a building has a duty to ensure that it is designed to be safe and without risk to health when the building or structure is used for the purpose for which it was designed.
ASCC General Duties of Care for OHS 2007 S19.
In the past the term “Design” general referred to the Architectural work. Now; “Design” refers to the chain of decisions and actions that effects the project outcome. The intent of the change is to force builders and project managers to provide safe work environments.
The changes will provide greater indemnity for owners and workers compensation utilities, importantly however, it means that builders must accept liability for changes they make during construction that later effects an OHS claim.
WorkCover has recognised that designing hazards out of projects is the most effective way of reducing the risk of injury and illness
And Recommends:-
.that there are clear and appropriate legal responsibilities for all parties in the construction industry and,
.linking OHS more closely to the design of buildings and structures.
SAFE DESIGN PROJECT
The Go.doc provides the mechanism to ID, communicate and neutralise hazards during construction and on project completion.
