Home
> Workplace health and safety > Rights and obligations > What are your obligations? > Who has obligations? > Designers of structures
Designers of structures
A new obligation for designers of structures takes effect from 1 July 2007.
From 1 July 2007 a designer has an obligation to prevent or minimise risks in the design of a structure so that the design does not adversely affect the workplace health and safety of persons -
- during construction of the structure; and
- when the structure has been constructed and is being used for the purpose for which it was designed.
Examples of persons to whom obligations are owed include:
- persons involved in the construction of the structure;
- persons who work in the structure after it has been constructed; and
- persons who maintain or repair the structure or any fixtures, fittings or plant in, or forming part of the structure.
A designer’s obligation applies only to the extent that the content of the design of the structure falls under the control of the designer.
A designer of a structure can meet their obligations by:
- Following the principles of safe design.
- Using the guidance material published by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, developed in consultation with designers' associations.
- Using the systematic risk management process.
For more details on your workplace health and safety obligations, refer to:
- The Guide to the workplace health and safety obligations of designers of structures (PDF, 122 KB)
- part 3 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB) .
Last updated 22 July 2008