Uproar over EC liability move: architects attack legislation

Article Abstract:

Architects are dismayed by an EC Directive that extends liability for site safety to anyone involved in building design. The Directive is will come into force on Dec 31 1993 and makes project supervisors responsible for site safety. Project supervisors are described as those responsible for design, execution or supervision. The majority of site accidents occur because of shortcomings in design, organisation and project preparation. The Health and Safety Executive will interpret the Directive into English law and RIBA believes it will consider the contractor as responsible for site safety.

---

H&SE confirms liability laws

Article Abstract:

An EC Directive on building site safety will affect the way architects design buildings. The Health and Safety Executive expects designers to be more responsible for accident prevention when designing a building but contractors will remain responsible for site safety. It envisages a project supervisor to be responsible for health and safety factors during design and planning, and another supervisor, probably the contractor, responsible for safety at the construction stage. Architects will have to consider safety in their design, perhaps in specifying less toxic materials.

---

Architects' hazard warning

Article Abstract:

The case of Hobbs v Baxenden Chemical Company has implications for architects. The High Court judge found that Baxenden was negligent in not informing Hobbs that insulating foam, sold in good faith, was not self-extinguishing. The implications of this are that any supplier of products and services has to keep abreast of scientific developments which might affect knowledge about materials used and should inform clients and other interseted parties of any defect which is revealed. Questions of length of the liability period and insurance are yet to be resolved.

Product defects and recalls, Building materials, Products

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Untac under attack. Election fever. Pushed aside
• Abstracts: Reform in one city: Russia. Free for all: Russian privatisation
• Abstracts: Hong Kong prepares for a party. Patten pending. No plume without a thorn: Hong Kong
• Abstracts: Seattle shivers. The restless Valley: greater Los Angeles
• Abstracts: Justice Souter, out from the egg. In search of decent boundaries: black politics. Take it back, son: servicing manufactured goods

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.