Free workshop will help to make new-build houses safer by design

With about 6,000 accidental deaths occurring in British homes every year, a new free workshop from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) aims to help house builders and architects ensure their projects are safer for all residents.

RoSPA has developed guidance, titled Safer by design, to help those involved in the planning and development of new-build projects ensure they are preventing the most common accidents in their homes, with a particular focus on falls – at least 700 people die as a result of falling on domestic stairs every year. RoSPA’s Safer by Design framework has been endorsed by Public Health England.

Those who use the framework can submit their projects to be assessed by RoSPA, and will be awarded at Silver, Gold or Platinum Standard based on the level achieved. This standard can then be displayed on all marketing and other materials relating to the project.

The charity will be delivering a workshop on Tuesday, March 17 in London, to help developers, architects and others understand how the new framework can be incorporated into their projects.

Becky Hickman, RoSPA executive head of business development, said: “We only officially launched Safer by design in November, and already Berkeley Group and Orbit Homes have committed to deliver their first homes built in line with the framework this year.

“Everything contained in the framework helps developers go beyond regulatory compliance, and it has been developed with industry partners, so we know it is practically and economically viable.

“More importantly, those who use the framework will be helping to save lives and reduce serious unintentional injury, particularly to the most vulnerable in society, by decreasing the number of accidents experienced in their new-build homes.”

Workshop delegates will hear from Becky, who will describe the significance of the issues addressed in the framework and give an overview of the practical steps needed for its implementation. Barry Oliver, group executive for health and safety at Berkeley Group, will talk about why the company is championing Safer by design, and Adam Gaggini, divisional head of technical at Orbit Homes, will explain how its implementation will benefit them. Finally Vicki Odili, project director at TP Bennett, will give the architect’s inside view.

The workshop is taking place at West London Construction Academy in Southall, from 10am-1pm on Tuesday, March 17. Places are free but limited – to book, see www.rospa.com/Events/Safer-by-design, call 0121 248 2090, or email events@rospa.com