The obligation
PCBUs who design structures intended as workplaces must eliminate or, if not reasonably practicable, minimise health and safety risks for all lifecycle phases: construction, use, maintenance and demolition.
Under the WHS Act 2012 (SA) and this Code, a designer of a structure (including architects, engineers and building designers) must: (a) identify foreseeable hazards that could arise during construction or use; (b) eliminate risks so far as reasonably practicable, or minimise them; (c) consider the full lifecycle of the structure. The Code provides the practical guidance deemed to satisfy these duties.
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- What
- PCBUs who design structures intended as workplaces must eliminate or, if not reasonably practicable, minimise health and safety risks for all lifecycle phases: construction, use, maintenance and demolition.
- Source
- safeworkaustralia.gov.au
description
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safe design
PCBU
designer
WHS Act 2012 SA
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Designer duty to eliminate/minimise risks across lifecycle is a WHS requirement set out in Safe design of structures (SA). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA). The relevant provision is Safe design of structures > Designer duties § 2.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Designer duty to eliminate/minimise risks across lifecycle is a WHS obligation under Safe design of structures (SA). In short, PCBUs who design structures intended as workplaces must eliminate or, if not reasonably practicable, minimise health and safety risks for all lifecycle phases: construction, use, maintenance and demolition.
What changed recently?
Designer duty to eliminate/minimise risks across lifecycle was last updated on 26 August 2026.
