Preparing for the RIBA Health & Safety Test 🦺

The RIBA Health & Safety Test, now a requirement for Chartered Membership renewal, is a pivotal step in ensuring architects are equipped to safeguard themselves, their colleagues, and the public.

In this blog post, we’ll distill the key lessons provided by the RIBA Health & Safety Guide, covering the nine chapters of the guide - from preparing for site visits to mastering fire safety design.

Chapters 1–5: Foundations of Health & Safety Practice

1. Preparing to Visit Site - Preparation is everything. Before stepping onto a site, architects must:

• Conduct thorough site surveys and research, including reviewing asbestos surveys for buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000.

• Plan work to avoid unsafe conditions, ensuring any high-risk areas are accessed with qualified operatives.

• Assess site occupation status and communicate with occupants or owners as needed.

• Wear appropriate PPE (hard hats, boots, gloves, hi-vis) and check equipment condition.

• Monitor weather conditions and carry basic first aid supplies.

  
  

2. Undertaking Site Visits - On site, vigilance is paramount. Key practices include:

• Avoiding lone working where possible; otherwise, establish emergency contacts.

• Completing site inductions and understanding emergency procedures.

• Recognising and adhering to safety signage.

• Navigating safely, staying on pedestrian routes, and avoiding distractions.

• Communicating with site managers and reporting unsafe conditions without directly instructing site workers unless necessary for immediate safety.

• Documenting observations and updating records post-visit.

3. Site Hazards - Architects must be adept at identifying and managing a wide array of hazards:

• Asbestos and other site contaminants.

• Falls from height, slips, trips, and unsafe structures.

• Excavations, confined spaces, respiratory hazards, noise, hazardous substances, fire safety, manual handling, and environmental risks (e.g., flora, fauna, geological features).

• Always consult with site control personnel and avoid areas where risks cannot be adequately managed.

4. Design Risk Management - Risk management is integral to design, not an afterthought. Architects should:

• Identify and eliminate hazards early, collaborating with the project team to find innovative solutions.

• Apply the general principles of prevention-avoid risks, combat them at source, adapt to technical progress, and prioritise collective over individual protection.

• Maintain clear communication and records, supporting the “golden thread” of building safety information mandated by the Building Safety Act 2022.

5. Statute, Guidance, Competence, and Codes of Conduct - Professional competence is underpinned by legal and ethical frameworks:

• Architects must comply with key legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, CDM Regulations, Building Act 1984, and the Building Safety Act 2022.

• Stay current with statutory and non-statutory guidance, including Approved Documents and British Standards.

• Demonstrate competence through CPD and adherence to ARB and RIBA codes of conduct.

Chapters 6–9: Advanced Regulatory and Design Responsibilities

6. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) - CDM Regulations define the legal duties of architects as designers and principal designers:

• Ensure appropriate skills, knowledge, and experience for the project.

• Communicate and coordinate with clients, contractors, and other designers.

• Principal designers manage health and safety during pre-construction and must ensure risks are identified and controlled, but are not responsible for the detailed design choices of others.

7. The Building Safety Act 2022 and Building Safety Regulations - The Building Safety Act introduces a new era of accountability:

• Applies to all projects in England, with stricter regimes for higher-risk buildings (over 18m/7 storeys, or with vulnerable occupants).

• Establishes the Building Safety Regulator, responsible for oversight and enforcement.

• Mandates the “golden thread” of safety information and introduces gateway approval processes for higher-risk buildings-pre-planning, pre-construction, and completion.

  
  

8. Building Safety Design - Safety must be embedded in every design decision:

• Integrate fire and life safety, structural stability, and public health considerations from the outset.

• Specify materials and systems with proven safety credentials, seeking independent certification where possible.

• Coordinate with the wider design team to ensure all systems work together and maintain safety throughout the building’s lifecycle.

9. Principles of Fire Safety Design - Fire safety is both a science and a strategy:

• Understand fire development, the performance of construction materials, and the importance of compartmentalisation.

• Select materials based on rigorous testing and certification (e.g., BS EN 13501-1).

• Design for both passive (fire-resistant structures) and active (alarms, sprinklers) fire protection.

• Develop and document clear evacuation strategies, tailored to building type and user needs, and ensure provisions for firefighting access and facilities.

🚀 Key Takeaways:

• Preparation and ongoing learning are non-negotiable. Every site visit, design decision, and project stage demands a proactive approach to safety.

• Legal compliance is just the starting point. True professional competence means embedding safety into the culture of your practice and design philosophy.

• Communication is key. Maintain clear, accurate records and ensure all stakeholders are informed and aligned.

• Stay up to date. Regulations and best practices evolve-continuous professional development is essential.

Listen to Episodes 160 & 161 from our podcast!