Episode 160 - Preparing for the RIBA Health & Safety Test (Part 1)

This week is Part 1 reviewing the material you should review prior to undertaking the RIBA Health & Safety Test. This episode content meets PC1 - Professionalism & PC3 - Legal Framework & Processes of the Part 3 Criteria.

Resources from today's episode:

Book: RIBA Health & Safety Guide by Dieter Bentley-Gockmann

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Transcript

Episode 160:

Hello and Welcome to the Part3 with me podcast. 

The show that helps part 3 students jump-start into their careers as qualified architects and also provides refresher episodes for practising architects. If you would like to show your support for the podcast and help us continue making amazing content, click on the link in the episode notes to sign up to our subscription. I also offer one to one mentoring services to help you with your submissions, exams and interview, head over to our website to learn more or reach out to me on LinkedIn through the Part3 With Me page, or instagram my handle is @part3withme or email me at part3withme@outlook.com. 

I am your host Maria Skoutari and this week we will be reviewing the material you should review prior to undertaking the RIBA Health & Safety Test. Todays episode meets PC1&3 of the Part 3 Criteria.

As I mentioned back in episode 150, as a membership renewal requirement, the RIBA now requires its members to undertake the Health & Safety test to be able to retain their Chartered Membership. 

To assist with preparing for the test, a book has been release, the Health and Safety Guide. Which we will be running through today to provide you with the key information you will need to know to pass the test. This week is part 1 covering Chapters 1-5, and next week we will cover Chapters 6-9.

The book consists of 9 chapters, which cover:

• Chapter 1 - Preparing to Visit Site 
• Chapter 2 - Undertaking Site Visits
• Chapter 3 - Site Hazards
• Chapter 4 - Design Risk Management
• Chapter 5 - Statute, Guidance, Competence and Codes of Conduct
• Chapter 6 - Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 
• Chapter 7 - The Building Safety Act 2022 and Building Safety Regulations
• Chapter 8 - Building Safety Design
• Chapter 9 - Principles of Fire Safety Design 

Lets start with Chapter 1: Preparing to Visit Site:

This chapter emphasises the importance of preparation for site visits to ensure safety and efficiency, and focuses on six aspects on how to prepare for every site visit whether it be to an unoccupied or occupied site. These include:

• Site surveys and research
• Planning work
• Site occupation and vacant sites
• Clothing, equipment and personal protective equipment
• Weather conditions
• First aid

Under the first one, Site Surveys and Research - This refers to the importance of gathering information, such as surveys, historic site information, reports and so on before the visit in order to assist architects to familiarise themselves with all available information prior to the visit. A key one is requesting a copy of the site owner’s asbestos survey if the building being visited has been constructed or refurbished before 2000. If asbestos has been identified on site, the architect should make sure they are familiar with its location and condition. If there is a risk of exposure to airborne fibres then the architect should not visit the site until it has been made safe by specialists. Then once the architect is aware of and understands the potential hazards that may be present on site, they should prepare an action plan to determine how they would respond to hazards. 

Then moving on to the second key aspect under Chapter 1, Planning Work -  Activities should be pre-planned to avoid rushing or unsafe conditions and if access is required to higher risk areas, the architect should be accompanied by a qualified operative and specialist to assist. Prior to the visit, architects should also check if they need any specific training or permit to work.

Next, under the third key aspect under Chapter 1, Site Occupation and vacant sites - It should initially be assessed whether the site is occupied, if so the occupants would need to be informed to obtain their consent for the visit. It should also be determined who is responsible for control of the site and if there any specific instructions that the architect needs to be aware of before the visit. If it is unoccupied, the possibility of squatters should be considered and inform the site owner of such suspicions are present. 

Next, under the fourth key aspect under Chapter 1, Clothing, equipment and personal protective equipment - Appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn, including hard hats, safety boots, gloves, eye protection and hi-vis clothing. If visiting an occupied site protective equipment may be provided by the site owner, in which case the equipment should be checked that they are in good condition, fit properly and are worn correctly. Unless located in a designated safe area, PPE must be worn at all times. If the architect observes a particular hazard on site for which they are not adequately equipped and it is not possible to avoid the hazard, they should return to the site office to obtain the correct PPE.

Next, under the fifth key aspect under Chapter 1, Weather Conditions - Weather forecasts should be checked prior to visiting the site to anticipate hazardous conditions.

And lastly under the sixth key aspect under Chapter 1, First Aid - Carrying basic first aid kits and addressing personal medical needs is essential to ensure safety and wellbeing.

So that’s how an architect would prepare for site, now lets move on to Chapter 2 - Undertaking Site Visits:

This chapter emphasises the importance of being mindful of your own safety and that of others and focuses on 12 key aspects on how architects should conduct their site visit, whether to an unoccupied or occupied site. These consist of:

1. Lone working
2. Personal Site Safety
3. Person responsible for control of the site
4. Induction and orientation
5. Safety signage
6. Navigating around the site
7. Site vehicles and mobile plant
8. Inspecting construction work
9. Communication with site personnel
10. Site behaviour
11. Action in the event of an emergency
12. Post site visit activity 

Under the first one, Lone Working - Architects should avoid visiting sites alone, if this is however unavoidable, emergency contacts should be established.

Then under, Personal site safety - When arriving on site, an initial assessment of the site conditions should be carried out to identify the presence of any significant hazards and note the main site access routes and exit points in the event of an emergency.. 

Next, under, Person Responsible for control of the site - The architect should establish who is responsible for site control before visiting and obtain permission to access specific areas and ensure compliance with any required training or certifications.

Then under the fourth key aspect, Induction and orientation - When arriving at an occupied site, the architect should attend a site induction on the first visit to understand site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and required personal protective equipment (PPE). And should re-confirm with the person responsible for control of the site of any updates to safety information on subsequent visits.

Under, Safety Signage - The architect should familiarise themselves with the safety signs which include: Circular Red and white signs are prohibition (e.g., "No entry”), Circular Blue and white are mandatory signs (e.g., "Wear gloves”), Triangular Yellow and black are warning signs (e.g., "Caution: Slippery surface”), Rectilinear Green and white are safety signs (e.g., "Fire exit”).

Next under, Navigating around the site - Architects should remain vigilant while moving around the site, avoid distractions such as using mobile phones or making notes while walking and ensure they remain on designated pedestrian routes and avoid carrying heavy or bulky equipment unaided.

Next under, Site vehicles and mobile plant - When arriving on site, the architect should familiarise themselves with the safe pedestrian routes around the site, ensure they keep clear of vehicles and mobile equipment in operation, follow vehicle marshals’ instructions if they are present and never attempt to assist in operations unless trained and avoid walking under raised loads or near reversing vehicles.

Then relating to, Inspecting Construction Work - Inspections should be planned in advance and check with the person responsible for control of the site to ensure safe access is provided to required areas. Once on site, stick to the proposed plan of work and avoid being distracted or sidetracked. If site operatives are working in the area that the architect is intending to inspect, they should  speak to the person responsible for control of the site to confirm whether it is safe for them to proceed or postpone the inspection. If access is required to work at height ensure that the person has been adequately trained to use the various equipment, the equipment is suitable for the intended use and in good condition and there is an adequate rescue plan in place in the event of a fall. 

Then, under Communication with site personnel - The primary point of contact whilst on site should be the Principal Contractors site manager, or the sire agent responsible for control of the site. If any unsafe conditions are witnessed, they should be reported immediately but avoid instructing workers directly unless necessary for immediate safety. If there are concerns regarding the safety of management of the site by the site manager, the principal contractor should notified as soon as is practical to do so. If the concerns are not addressed, it should be considered whether the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) should be notified, particularly if the site poses an imminent risk to the public or to the safety of the site personnel. In terms of site queries, the architect should ensure they do not respond on site until they had a chance to review and consider the nature of the query. 

Next under, Site Behaviour - The architect should adhere to all site rules and avoid imitating unsafe behaviour. If safety concerns arise or if they encounter uncooperative personnel, the architect should not proceed with visits.

Then under, Action in the event of an emergency - In emergencies, personal safety should be prioritised by moving to a safe location before raising the alarm and contact emergency services or the designated contact as soon as it is safe to do so.

And lastly under, Post site visit activity - Before leaving the site secure the access points and check that any access equipment have been properly stores and secured to prevent unauthorised use.  Clean PPE and clothing to prevent contamination, especially after visiting hazardous sites and ensure to update notes with observations about hazards or concerns and share them with relevant parties. Also make a written record of any queries raised by the contractor and if any variations to the project design are required, carry out a design risk management review of the proposed variation. 

So those are the steps an architect should undertake during site visits, now lets move on to Chapter 3 - Site Hazards: 

This chapter provides an in-depth exploration of common risks encountered during site visits and offers guidance on managing them effectively. These include:

1. Site assessment
2. Site contamination
3. Falls from height
4. Slips and trips
5. Unsafe structures
6. Excavations
7. Enclosed spaces
8. Confined spaces
9. Respiratory hazards (dust and fumes)
10. Noise
11. Hazardous substances
12. Fire safety
13. Manual handling
14. Geological, man-made landscape or hydrological features
15. Flora and fauna

Under the first one, Site Assessment: A thorough initial assessment should be conducted upon arrival to identify any unexpected hazards, ensuring safe access and exit routes.

Site Contamination: Be vigilant about asbestos in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000, as it poses severe health risks. The architect should ask for the site owner’s asbestos register and/or asbestos refurbishment and demolition survey before they visit the site. Areas with suspected contamination should be avoided and if visiting contaminated sites, ensure proper cleaning of clothing and footwear to prevent spreading hazardous materials. Apart from asbestos, if any other substance if suspected that may be harmful to health, the area should be vacated and the owner notified to arrange for sampling and contamination testing. 

Falls from Height: Falls are a leading cause of fatalities on construction sites. If work at height is required, operatives should use properly inspected scaffolds, ladders, or mobile platforms. Always ensuring that any scaffold or working platform is safe before accessing it. Once the working platform is reached, it should be ensured that adequate edge protection is provided to prevent falling off. If a mobile scaffold tower is required, it should be confirmed with the person responsible for control of the site that it has been erected by a trained, competent and authorised person, it has been erected as per manufacturer recommendations and people using it have been briefed on its safe use. A similar process should be followed if access to height is gain using a MEWP ensuring that the MEWP is operated by a competent person and the terrain in the area of the proposed use is suitable. If flat roofs need to be accessed will need to ensure it does not contain fragile materials and avoid accessing them without proper safety measures.

Slips and Trips: Poor site conditions, debris, or inadequate lighting can increase the risk of slips and trips. When visiting site, must stay alert to uneven surfaces and contamination.

Unsafe Structures:Avoid entering or working near unstable structures. If there are concerns of the structural integrity of any area that needs to be accessed, then alternative inspection methods should be considered, such as drones, for unsafe areas. If there are no alternative means of safe access, structural advice should be sought and provided before those areas are accessed.

Excavations: As a general precaution, deep excavations should be avoided unless absolutely necessary and only with proper support systems in place. If access must be gained, guidance should be sought from the person in control of the site to carry out an appropriate test for gas hazards and ensure safe access points like fixed ladders or staircases. If there are any signs of movement, the excavation should be evacuated immediately. 

Enclosed Spaces:Avoid cramped spaces that may pose evacuation challenges or risk musculoskeletal injuries unless certain it is safe to do so and adequate arrangements are in place in case of an emergency.

Confined Spaces: Confined spaces (e.g., sewers, unventilated rooms) carry risks like oxygen deficiency, risk of fire or explosion, excessive hear, fumes or toxic gases. Only enter with proper safety systems in place and never enter alone.

Respiratory Hazards (Dust and Fumes): Dust-making activities on sites, particularly demolition sites, pose hazards that potentially have long-term consequences to health. Activities like cutting concrete generate hazardous dust that can lead to long-term health issues, as such site personnel should use wet cutting or power tools with a dust extractor. If there is a risk of exposure to harmful dust or fumes, the area should be avoided. If this is not possible, arrange for access when work is not being carried out or ask the person responsible for control of the site to provide suitable respiratory protection, such as a face mask or respirator.

Noise: Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause hearing damage. If a noise area of the site need to be inspected where noisy construction activities are taking place that cannot be stopped, the site manager should provide hearing protection to be worn at all times near the noisy works.

Hazardous Substances: Prior to commencing activities on site, it should be confirmed with the person responsible for control of the site whether any hazardous substances may be present in the areas intended to visit. Contact with substances like wet cement or toxic vapours should be avoided whilst inspecting work on site and ensure the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) guidelines are followed.

Fire Safety: When visiting site, should become familiar with fire alarms, assembly points, and emergency procedures in case of fire whilst on site. Do not attempt to extinguish fires unless trained.

Manual Handling: Whilst on site, avoid lifting heavy materials to prevent injuries and if any obstructions are present site management should be informed for removal.

Geological, man-made landscape or Hydrological Features: Examples include redundant or historic excavations, wells, sink holes or mine shafts. Fast-flowing water can also pose risks of falls or drowning and should be approached with caution and ensure when visiting site to be aware of the surroundings.

Flora and Fauna: Overgrown vegetation can conceal hazards like thorny plants, venomous snakes, or aggressive nesting birds. Contact should be avoided with harmful species such as giant hogweed or ticks that can transmit diseases like Lyme disease.

So those are the steps an architect should take when faced with Site Hazards, now lets move on to Chapter 4 - Design Risk Management:

This chapters focuses on the integration of safety considerations into the design process to ensure that buildings can be constructed, used, maintained, and demolished safely. In order to ensure this, chapter 4 explores three key areas:

1. The Principles of Design Risk Management
2. General Principles of Prevention 
3. Effective communication and coordination

Looking at the Principles of Design Risk Management firstly in more detail:

Risk management should not be seen as separate from the design process, risk management is something design teams deal with daily. As architects and lead designers we must consider the foreseeable risks and adopt proportionate measures to eliminate or reduce them, risk management should be treated as part of the design process and collaborate with the rest of the project team to find appropriate solutions. While safety is critical, it must be balanced with client priorities, budgets, and project constraints. The goal is to achieve acceptable risk levels without compromising design quality and review design risk management decision at each design stage of the project. Effective risk management involves collaboration with clients, project teams, contractors, and specialists in order to identify innovative solutions such as off-site fabrication that can help reduce risks. Designers must distinguish between hazards (potential sources of harm) and risks (likelihood and impact of harm) in order to make the most suitable decisions for the project. 

Some common key hazards that should be considered early on in the design stage includes:

• Fire Safety and developing suitable fire strategies for both construction and post-completion phases agreed with the client at the concept design stage, as a minimum fire safety strategy should address fire safety measures relating to means of warning and escape, external fire spread and access and facilities for the fire service.
• Falls from Height whereby appropriate equipment for safe work at height should be specified.
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) should be considered by minimising manual handling through prefabrication or lighter materials.
• Legionella Prevention measures should be considered by designing water systems to prevent bacterial growth. This can be through designing short and direct pipework to public health systems with adequate insulation to pipes and tanks using fittings and materials that prevent contamination and do not encourage the growth of Legionella.
• Dust Control is another key hazard which can be reduced by minimising on-site cutting or avoiding materials that contain silica dust.
• Slips and trips is a very common cause of injury which should be minimised through the specification of suitable slip resistant floor finishes. Suitable advice should also be provided to clients on their proper cleaning and maintenance regime to maintain the slip resistance of the floor finish.
• Temporary works used to provide provisional support or protection to the permanent works during the construction of the project require correct design, installation and maintenance to prevent and mitigate risks during construction. Consideration should be given as to how the permanent works will be constructed and if these will impact on how any temporary works can be safely constructed and dismantled without compromising the design. 

To assist with identifying such hazards, typically a red, amber and green list known as RAG provides a helpful guidance regarding the nature and type of hazards and risks to consider as pert of the design risk management. The red lists include hazardous procedures, products and processes that should be eliminated from the project wherever possible. Amber lists include products, processes and procedures to be eliminated or reduced, as far as possible, and only specified if unavoidable. And Green lists include products, processes and procedures that should be aimed to be included in the design.

Now moving onto the next key section of Chapter 4 covering General Principles of Prevention:

This section outlines the architects legal duty for managing risks under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 to consider the general principles of prevention as part of the design risk management strategy. 

The general principles of prevention as specified within the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 include:

• Avoid Risks: By considering hazards and modifying designs to eliminate hazards where possible.
• Evaluate Risks that cannot be avoided: by assessing unavoidable risks to determine their severity and likelihood and agree with the client the tolerable level of risk in the context of the project.
• Combat Risks at Source: by adapting designs to minimise future risks.
• Adapt Work to the individuals: by considering ergonomic factors in workplace design to reduce health impacts.
• Adapt to Technical Progress: by using modern technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM), modular construction, and robotics to enhance safety.
• Replace the Dangerous by the non-dangerous or the less dangerous: by opting for safer alternatives wherever possible, such as for maintenance purposes, instead of accepting rope access as a solution consider a less dangerous solution which provides safer access or using building management unit.
• Develop a coherent overall prevention policy: by agreeing with the client a safety strategy for the project that considers the use of technology, organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors relating to the working environment.
• Give collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures: by incorporating a design solution that protects everyone from harm without the need for them to take any particular action.
• Give appropriate instructions to employees: by providing all relevant information regarding any hazards that require a safety management plan to all those who may require it.

If during the design development process its identified that risk can’t be fully designed out despite applying the principles of prevention, adequate information should be provided regarding residual risks to ensure the necessary safety measures can be taken to control them. Under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and The Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc) (England) Regulations 2023 the responsible person and/or the accountable person, as relevant, are legally obliged to adopt a hierarchy of principles to avoid building safety risks that are similar (but not identical) to the principles of prevention.

Now looking at the final section of Chapter 4 covering Effective Communication and Coordination:

This section outlines the importance of design and construction professionals duty to coordinate effectively with clients, project teams, and stakeholders to manage and communicate safety and risk-related issues throughout a building’s lifecycle. This includes contributing to the “golden thread” of information — a complete, accurate, and up-to-date record of building safety data as required by the Building Safety Act 2022.

Key responsibilities of the architect under this process consists of:

• Discussing and agreeing with the client their strategic requirements at the brief and concept stages and documenting building safety strategies such as fire, structural, maintenance from the outset.
• Advising clients—especially inexperienced or domestic ones—on their legal safety duties and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
• Embed design risk management into routine design and client meetings, ensuring ongoing identification, assessment, and communication of risks.
• Keeping clear, concise, and proportionate records of safety decisions and risk management activities that should be regularly updated as the project progresses. The format of the information should be discussed and agreed with the client as well as how they should be kept. 
• Supporting clients in using digital tools to manage and share safety information effectively and ensuring all members of the design, construction, occupation and maintenance teams have the competence and capability to engage effectively with such digital strategies.
• Sharing only relevant, project-specific residual risks, avoiding generic or excessive information that could obscure key issues.
• Communicate design decisions made to eliminate risks, especially if later changes may reintroduce them.

This chapter in general underscores the importance of proactive risk management as an integral part of architectural design, ensuring safety throughout a building's lifecycle while balancing practical project constraints.

So those are the steps an architect should take with regards to Design Risk Management, now lets move on to the final chapter within today’s episode, Chapter 5 - Statute, Guidance, Competence and Codes of Conduct:

This chapter provides an overview of the legal framework, guidance documents, and professional standards that architects and designers must adhere to in their practice. 

This chapter focuses on four key sections:

• Statute and the regulatory environment 
• Statutory and non-statutory guidance
• Industry competence requirements and codes of conduct
• Demonstrating competence 

Looking at Statute and the Regulatory Environment firstly in more detail:

As professionals, architects must comply with statutory rules which comprise of primary and secondary legislation requirements. The key pieces of legislation architects need to be familiar with include:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which establishes general duties for employers and employees to ensure workplace safety. There are several additional regulations that are enacted under the Health and Safety at Work Act which include:
• The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 - defining what a confined space is and imposes obligations on employers to protect employees who may be working in such spaces.
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM Regulations), which defines legal duties for designers, contractors, and clients to manage health and safety risks in construction projects.
• The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 - imposing a duty to manage asbestos and asbestos containing material in order to protect anyone using or working on the building from health risks associated with exposure to asbestos
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 - which make explicit requirements for employers to satisfy the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 - which places obligations on employers to manage the risks of manual handling faced by employees
• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - which requires that a responsible person with control of a building manages and maintains the building to reduce the risk of fire and ensure safe exit for users in the event of a fire
• The Work at Height Regulations 2005 - which applies to all work at any height where there is a risk of a fall that may cause injury
• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 - which involves a wide range of health, safety and welfare issues applicable to most workplaces excluding construction sites.
• Another key piece of legislation architects should familiarise themselves with is the Building Act 1984 which is intended to secure the health, safety and welfare of people who may use buildings or might otherwise be affected by buildings or matters connected with buildings. Under this act, the Building Regulations 2010 have been enacted which as you are aware are a set of national building standards that apply to the design and construction of the majority of new buildings and alterations to existing buildings. The primary purpose of the Building Regulations is to ensure that all building work is carried out to a standard that ensures the health and safety of building users, energy conservation, building access and security.
• Now another key piece of legislation architects should be aware of, which is the latest to be introduced is of course the Building Safety Act 2022, which introduces additional responsibilities for higher-risk buildings, including compliance with building control approval processes as well as duties that apply to all buildings subject to building control approval in England, including extensions, refurbishments and buildings subject to a change of use. As well as the specific duties for designers under the BSA itself there are a number of regulations enacted under the BSA that architects need to be familiar with. These include:
• The Higher-Risk Buildings (Descriptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2023 - which provides details regarding the definition of higher-risk buildings under the BSA 
• The Building (Approved Inspector etc. and Review of Decisions) (England) Regulations 2023 - which amends the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010 to support the higher-risk building control regime. 
• The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment)(England) Regulations 2023 - which amends the Building Regulations 2010 to support the higher-risk building control regime and include the competence requirements that apply to all building work 
• The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures)(England) Regulations 2023 - which provided the detail of the building control regime for higher risk buildings 

Understanding the regulatory environment is essential for ensuring that projects meet legal obligations throughout their lifecycle.

Now moving onto the next key section of Chapter 5 which covers Statutory and Non-Statutory Guidance:

To assist architects to discharge their statutory duties, statutory guidance includes documents like the Approved Documents under the Building Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and so on which provide practical advice on meeting legal requirements.

Industry guidance can be statutory or non-statutory. Statutory guidance has a legal status granted under applicable legislation, where as, non-statutory guidance, such as publications by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or industry bodies, offers best practices that can be tailored to specific projects. Although not obliged to follow statutory guidance, alternative methods can be adopted to meet statutory obligations based on non-statutory guidance. 

Examples of statutory and non-statutory documents that provide guidance regarding how to discharge ones duties under the primary and secondary legislation include:

• Explanatory notes and memoranda which are published by the government. Explanatory note accompany primary legislation and explanatory memoranda accompany secondary legislation.
• The Approved Documents published by the government and provide statutory guidance on ways to meet the functional requirements of the Building Regulations.
• British and European Standards which contain non-statutory guidance produced by, for and on behalf of industry and are published by the British Standards Institute (BSI). Following the guidance in these standards is one way to demonstrate that statutory duties have been discharged.
• The HSE also publishes a wide range of non-statutory guidance documents relevant to many areas of health, safety and wellbeing, some of which include the HSG168 Guidance relating to fire safety in construction, the L143 which relates to managing and working with asbestos and L153 relating to managing health and safety in construction. 

Architects should stay updated on changes to both statutory and non-statutory guidance to maintain compliance ensuring they are aware of their statutory duties.

Next moving onto the next key section of Chapter 5 which covers Industry Competence Requirements and Codes of Conduct:

As designers, architects have a general duty under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 to ensure they have the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours to perform tasks safely and effectively. Architects also have a general duty under Part 2A ‘Dutyholders and competence’ of the Building Regulations 2010 as amended by the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment)(England) Regulations 2023 to ensure that themselves, and anyone working under their supervision or employment as an individual, are a competent designer. The architects legal duty to ensure they are competent applies to any design work on all buildings in England.

Architects are also expected to adhere to the Architects Act 1997 and by extension the ARB’s Code of Conduct setting out the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of all architects registered by the ARB. In addition the ARB’s Code, architects registered with the RIBA are also expected to adhere to the RIBA’s Code of Professional conduct which sets out and explains the standards of professional conduct and practice which the RIBA requires of all its members. The RIBA Code of Professional Conduct requires architects to prioritise public safety, follow legal requirements, and maintain professional competence.

And lastly, looking at the final section of Chapter 5 covering Demonstrating Competence:

Architects must demonstrate competence through continuous professional development (CPD), training, and adherence to recognised standards. Demonstrating competence is especially critical if carrying out design work in connection with a higher-risk building, in which case architects must ensure they document their competence for regulatory compliance which can mainly be in the form of an up-to-date CV documenting relevant experience and key responsibilities.

An up-to-date CV and evidence of continued Professional Development will enable architects to use the documents to demonstrate to their client that they take evaluating, planning and maintaining their competence seriously and have a robust process in place to manage and assess this.

To sum up what I discussed today:

This weeks episode looked at the first five chapters of the RIBA Health & Safety Guide.

• Chapter 1 - Preparing to Visit Site - Preparation for site visits involves thorough research, planning, assessing site conditions, wearing appropriate PPE, considering weather hazards, and carrying first aid kits to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Chapter 2 - Undertaking Site Visits - Architects must prioritise their own safety and that of others by adhering to protocols such as avoiding lone working, attending site inductions, navigating safely, reporting hazards, and following emergency procedures.
• Chapter 3 - Site Hazards - Architects should identify and manage common site risks such as asbestos contamination, falls from height, confined spaces, hazardous substances, fire safety concerns, and environmental hazards.
• Chapter 4 - Design Risk Management - Integrating risk management into the design process ensures buildings are safe to construct, use, maintain, and demolish while balancing client priorities and adhering to prevention principles.
• Chapter 5 - Statute, Guidance, Competence and Codes of Conduct - Architects must comply with health and safety legislation, follow statutory/non-statutory guidance, maintain professional competence through CPD, and adhere to industry codes of conduct.

Make sure to tune into part 2 next week for the remaining four chapters.