HAZARDS, RISKS AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY

This paper examines the direct and indirect means by which standards of structural safety are maintained. It discusses the hazards and risks to structural safety in the context of the continuing changes in the technology and management of construction and use of structures: financial risks are not addressed. There are many hazards and risks to be allowed for in the design, construction, maintenance and use of structures. Risks to structural safety which may influence the safety of the public or workers during construction and use are kept very small directly by those involved in construction and indirectly by society through legislation, guidance documents, feedback of experience, education and training. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, which introduce new requirements for ensuring a safe and healthy place of work, may also help to achieve a safe and healthy environment for the public. At the same time, however, the repeal of Building Regulation A4 is seen as undesirably weakening the influence of legislation. For many years, new techniques for assessing hazards and risks to safety have been developing mainly outside of the construction industry. It is argued that it is appropriate to consider whether these techniques should be extended to all significant structural work. Proposals are made for measures through legislation and procedures of design and feedback of experience to assist the maintenance of structural safety. (A)

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Institution of Structural Engineers

    11 Upper Belgrave Street
    London,   United Kingdom  SW1X 8BH
  • Authors:
    • MENZIES, J B
  • Publication Date: 1995-11-7

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 357-63
  • Serial:
    • Structural Engineer
    • Volume: 73
    • Issue Number: 21
    • Publisher: Institution of Structural Engineers
    • ISSN: 1466-5123

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00716039
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Jan 31 1996 12:00AM