Duty of designers and manufacturers
The statutory obligation on those who design, manufacture, import or supply articles and substances for use at work to ensure that they are safe and without risk to health when properly used.
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“duty of designers and manufacturers”Exact equivalentSection 6 of HSWA 1974 imposes duties on persons who design, manufacture, import or supply articles or substances for use at work. They must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that articles are designed and constructed to be safe; carry out testing; provide adequate information; and in the case of manufacturers, carry out research to identify and eliminate hazards.
Irish HSA
“duty of designers and manufacturers”Close equivalentSection 15 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 imposes duties on designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of articles and substances for use at work. They must ensure the article or substance is designed and manufactured so as to be safe and without risk to health when properly used.
US OSHA
“duty of designers and manufacturers”No equivalentNo equivalent in this jurisdiction.
Practitioner note: HSWA s6 (GB), SHWWA s15 (Ireland). Extends the supply-chain safety duty. No equivalent general statutory duty in OSHA; US product liability law fills the gap.