Communication of safety in the design phase

Ineffective management practices, particularly in the design phase, have been identified as a prime cause of the unacceptable accident and occupational health record of the construction industry. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations requires designers to identify, reduce and control risks to the workforce. However, for many designers the adoption of such practices is still unfamiliar and there is little information on procedures or best practices. Thus, to a large extent the application of such regulations is intuitive and relies on the attitude and behaviour of the designer and their ability to communicate the identified risks effectively. This paper outlines the methodological approach to be used in measuring the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour and value judgements of the parties involved during the design phase.