1. The interface between the designer and the contractor and the safety problems involved

SYNOPSIS. This paper deals with some aspects of the effects on safety of the interface between designer and contractor. It emphasises the need for close liason between the two parties both before and during the construction phase and suggests how this may be achieved.

Engineering contracts today usually involve at least three groups of people; the client, the engineer and the contractor. Among other duties the engineer will design the facility for the client whilst the contractor will carry out the work in various places but generally on the site. It is at this interface between the engineer's designer and the contractor where particular care is required to ensure that no safety problems arise. In the case of design and build contracts the same problems can arise between the contractor's designers and his own site staff.