Who Should Attend a DfS Review Meeting?
Core attendance is the Developer (or its representative), the relevant Designers for the stage under review, and the Contractor once construction-stage risks are in scope. Specialist and temporary works designers should attend directly whenever their design creates or controls material risk.
Direct answer
A DfS review is only as good as the people who can actually answer the questions it raises. Sending a representative who was not involved in the specific design under discussion tends to produce vaguer, less useful review outcomes.
Typical attendees
| Attendee | Why they are there |
|---|---|
| Developer / representative | Owns the decision to accept, defer or reject proposed design changes |
| Architect / permanent works designer | Can explain and adjust the design under discussion |
| Specialist designers (M&E, façade, etc.) | Own risks specific to their systems |
| Temporary works designer | Owns risks arising from formwork, falsework, shoring or similar temporary structures |
| Main contractor | Brings construction-method knowledge once appointed, especially pre-construction onward |
| DfSP | Facilitates the meeting and records outcomes |
When temporary works designers must attend
Designers engaged by the Contractor, including temporary works designers, should participate directly in a DfS review when their designs create or control material risks — not be represented secondhand by the main Contractor.
See why temporary works designers " "should join relevant DfS reviews →.
Official references
- GuidanceWSH Council, Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines — Design for Safety — official source →