Unit Aim
The aim of this unit is to provide Learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills in occupational safety and health (OSH) principles in interior design. This unit covers key areas such as ergonomic design, building codes, fire safety, environmental health, risk management and material selection for safety. This unit also explores accessibility, universal design and health-focused design principles. This unit covers ethical and legal considerations in interior design practice, ensuring Learners are prepared to create safe, functional and compliant interior environments.
Unit Content
Know the fundamental concepts of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and the importance in interior design.
Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health
Basic concepts of OSH
Importance in interior design
Key legislation and standards
Roles and responsibilities of interior designers in ensuring OSH
Common workplace hazards in interior design environments
Overview of OSH frameworks (e.g. ISO 45001)
Be able to apply ergonomic principles and human factors in space planning to enhance user comfort and safety.
Ergonomics in interior design
Principles of ergonomic design
Human factors and space planning
Ergonomic assessment tools
Case studies of ergonomic failures and successes
Application of anthropometric data in design decisions
Designing for diverse user needs (e.g. age, ability, occupation)
Be able to interpret building codes, regulations and fire safety requirements to ensure compliance in interior spaces.
Building codes and regulations
Overview of codes and standards
Compliance with local and international codes
Fire safety and emergency preparedness
Fire safety principles
Emergency egress and evacuation
Fire safety systems
Reading and interpreting code documentation
Coordination with fire safety consultants and engineers
Fire-resistant materials and finishes in interiors
Be able to evaluate environmental health factors such as indoor air quality and material impact on occupants’ well-being.
Environmental health
Indoor air quality and ventilation
Material health impacts
Hazard mitigation
Material selection for safety
Safe material criteria
Non-toxic and low-emission materials
VOCs and off-gassing in interior materials
Impact of lighting, acoustics and thermal comfort on well-being
Monitoring tools for indoor environmental quality
Be able to conduct risk assessments and implement effective risk management strategies in design projects.
Risk assessment and management
Identifying and assessing risks
Risk management strategies
Insurance considerations
Risk assessment templates and reporting formats
Mitigation planning and contingency strategies
Legal implications of unmanaged risks
Be able to integrate accessibility and universal design principles to create inclusive and barrier-free environments.
Accessibility and universal design
Universal design principles
Legal accessibility requirements
Inclusive space design
Designing for neurodiversity and sensory sensitivity
Assistive technologies in interior environments
Case studies of inclusive design in practice
Know ethical and legal responsibility in interior design practice, including professional conduct and client confidentiality.
Ethics and legal issues
Ethical standards
Legal responsibilities
Client confidentiality
Conflict of interest and transparency in practice
Intellectual property and copyright in design
Codes of conduct from professional bodies
