Design for Safety: Eliminating Risks Before Construction
Presentation Synopsis:
Many workplace accidents originate from design decisions made long before work begins on site. Design for Safety (DfS) seeks to address these risks at their source by integrating safety considerations into the planning and design process. This presentation examines how designers, developers, engineers, project managers, and contractors can work together to identify foreseeable risks throughout the project lifecycle, including construction, operation, maintenance, and demolition. Drawing on lessons from actual incidents and industry case studies, the session will demonstrate how design choices can eliminate hazards, reduce reliance on administrative controls and personal protective equipment, and create safer work environments. The presentation will also explore the principles underpinning Singapore's WSH (Design for Safety) Regulations and SS ISO 12100, highlighting a common philosophy: risks should be eliminated through design wherever reasonably practicable. Participants will gain practical insights into applying DfS to improve safety outcomes, enhance constructability, and support a stronger workplace safety culture.
About the speaker:
Mr Goh Chye Guan
Managing Director
SMER Pte Ltd
Mr Goh Chye Guan is the Founder and Managing Director of SMER Pte Ltd and Co-Convenor of the Working Group for SS ISO 12100, Safety of Machinery – General Principles for Design – Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction. With over 40 years of experience in workplace safety and health, risk management, and industry capability development, he has been a strong advocate of Design for Safety (DfS) in Singapore. He developed and delivered one of Singapore's earliest DfS programmes and has trained over 1,000 developers, designers, engineers, project managers, DfS Professionals, and contractors in integrating safety into the design process. During his tenure as Director of Industry Capability Building at the Workplace Safety and Health Council, he played a key role in developing national initiatives such as bizSAFE, CultureSAFE, and DfS. Mr Goh is an Adult Educator recognised by the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) and continues to contribute to professional and workforce capability development through education, mentoring, and industry engagement.
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