“Hand Sanitizer In A Water Bottle”: 50 Stupidly Dangerous Designs That Defy Logic

Imagine a world where all designers worked with eyes closed and their brains shut off... Almost everything we did on a daily basis could have the potential to end in an accident. People would be burning, tripping, falling, getting poisoned, shocking themselves, or even worse. Then they might land up in a hospital where, once again, safety was not taken into consideration. What a disaster.

Thankfully, many designers do take measures to limit harm, injury or death when creating something. It is, after all, their moral and legal obligation.

"Safety in Design (or Design for Safety, Prevention through Design) involves integrating safety principles into every design phase to reduce risks and protect people, equipment, and the environment," explains the the Antea Group, a consultancy that specializes in environmental, health, safety, and sustainability issues.

The company's experts say while Safety in Design is gaining recognition, not all industry professionals have experience with it, and even fewer have integrated it into existing processes.

It may seem fairly obvious why designers need to take user safety into consideration. But as we know, some cut corners, others are just totally oblivious, and then there are those who just don't care. The Antea Group says implementing Safety in Design principles can sometimes seem difficult at first. They add complexity, time and possibly money to the engineering process.

But the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, add their experts. "By addressing hazards early, organizations can prevent injuries, reduce long-term costs, and improve worker morale," reads the consultancy site. "For instance, designing facilities with easy access for maintenance reduces the need for risky on-the-fly solutions. Additionally, a safe design can lead to more efficient operations and lower insurance premiums, contributing to a healthier bottom line."

There are a few critical elements that go into a successful Safety in Design program. The first one being that safety should be top of mind from the outset of any project. This means having minimum safety standards that serve as the foundation for all design and construction jobs.

There should then be regular reviews of drawings, models, and narratives to identify and mitigate potential hazards. "These reviews are integral to catching issues before they materialize on-site, providing an opportunity for corrective action in the planning phase," explains Antea.

Companies or designers should also continuously carry out risk assessments. Prevention is better than cure. Lastly, all changes in the design have to be documented and reviewed by safety professionals to maintain safety standards. "This element is crucial for adapting to evolving project requirements without compromising safety," warns the Antea Group.