The obligation
Designers must ensure structures are designed without risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable, and must provide a construction safety report to the commissioning PCBU.
Under the WHS Act 2011 (QLD) and this Code, designers of structures must: identify foreseeable hazards; apply the hierarchy of controls during design; document design decisions; and provide a construction safety report to the commissioning PCBU/principal contractor. The Code recommends a systematic risk management process covering hazard identification, risk assessment, design controls, and review across all lifecycle stages (construction, use, maintenance, demolition).
- What
- Designers must ensure structures are designed without risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable, and must provide a construction safety report to the commissioning PCBU.
- Source
- worksafe.qld.gov.au
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designer
duty
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Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Designer Duties — Safe Design of Structures COP 2021 is a WHS requirement set out in Safe design of structures code of practice 2021 (QLD). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD). The relevant provision is Safe Design of Structures COP 2021 > Designer Duties.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Designer Duties — Safe Design of Structures COP 2021 is a WHS obligation under Safe design of structures code of practice 2021 (QLD). In short, Designers must ensure structures are designed without risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable, and must provide a construction safety report to the commissioning PCBU.
What changed recently?
Designer Duties — Safe Design of Structures COP 2021 was last updated on 27 August 2026.
