What you will learn:

Architects and design professionals will gain:

• A clear understanding of the CHSA’s role in the design phase and its alignment with the architect’s statutory duties.
• Insights into how design decisions directly influence construction safety, user safety, and lifecycle performance.
• Knowledge to ensure legal compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and South African Construction Regulations during all design stages.
• Tools to coordinate health and safety considerations between clients, engineers, contractors, and other consultants.
• Practical strategies for integrating safety requirements into design specifications, and drawings.

Module Guide:

Module 1 – Health and Safety in Design Introduction

Introduces the importance of integrating health and safety considerations into the design process, outlining legal requirements and the designer’s role in creating safe, compliant projects.

Module 2 – Designer Duties

Covers the statutory responsibilities of designers under South African Construction Regulations, focusing on hazard identification, risk mitigation, and ensuring compliance from concept to completion.

Module 3 – Site Layout

Explores how site planning influences safety, including optimal placement of structures, access routes, storage areas, and utilities to minimise hazards and improve workflow efficiency.

Module 4 – Spatial Design

Examines how internal and external spatial arrangements impact safety, usability, and compliance, with emphasis on circulation, accessibility, and hazard prevention.

Module 5 – Design Safety

Focuses on embedding safety features into architectural and engineering design, addressing structural stability, safe maintenance access, and prevention of foreseeable risks.

Module 6 – Universal Assess

Details the principles and regulations for inclusive design, ensuring buildings are accessible to all users, including persons with disabilities, in line with SANS standards.

Module 7 – Fire Protection

Provides an overview of fire safety planning, including detection systems, alarms, escape routes, and suppression measures to safeguard occupants and property.

Module 8 – Fire-Resistant Design

Explains how to select materials and design elements to resist fire spread, maintain structural integrity, and meet building code requirements for fire performance.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Apply statutory and regulatory requirements to ensure health and safety is embedded in all stages of architectural design.
• Develop site layouts that optimise safety, access, and operational efficiency while reducing risk during construction and use.
• Incorporate spatial design principles that support safe circulation, accessibility, and user comfort.
• Select materials and design elements that enhance fire resistance and overall building resilience.
• Integrate universal access standards into architectural plans to ensure inclusivity and compliance with SANS requirements.
• Evaluate design choices for their impact on construction safety, maintenance access, and lifecycle safety performance.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to address safety issues from early design through to project completion.
• Produce safety-compliant tender and construction documentation that clearly communicates design-related safety measures.

Certification:

Certificate of Completion issued by Cairnmead Faculty of Safety. Accredited by the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA).

Requirements:

• Stable internet access
• Basic understanding of construction project roles and processes

Assessment:

Learners must complete a multiple-choice quiz to receive certification