One of the best ways to prevent and control occupational injuries, illnesses,
and fatalities is to "design out" or minimize hazards and risks early in the
design process. The US-American National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) is leading a national initiative called Prevention through
Design (PtD) to promote this concept and highlight its importance in all
business decisions.

A growing number of business leaders are recognizing PtD as a cost-effective
means to enhance occupational safety and health. Many U.S. companies openly
support PtD concepts and have developed management practices to implement them.
Other countries are actively promoting PtD concepts as well. The United Kingdom
began requiring construction companies, project owners, and architects to
address safety and health during the design phase of projects in 1994, and
companies there have responded with positive changes in management practices to
comply with the regulations. Australia developed the Australian National OHS
Strategy 2002-2012, which set "eliminating hazards at the design stage" as one
of five national priorities. As a result, the Australian Safety and
Compensation Council (ASCC) developed the Safe Design National Strategy and
Action Plans for Australia encompassing a wide range of design areas including
buildings and structures, work environments, materials, and plant (machinery
and equipment).

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AplusA-online.de - Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health