Architect slams professional institutions over health and safety training

A leading architect has accused professional institutions in the construction industry of being "totally rubbish" when it comes to providing training on health and safety issues.

The broadside by Foster and Partners' Thouria Istephan is in response to the latest calls by the Strategic Forum and the Health & Safety Executive to cut risks of accidents on site at the design stage.

"There is no training on health and safety throughout many of the professional institutions which is shocking," said Istephan.

"There are a lot of practical issues but nothing prepares you for the crucial decisions you make at the design stage."

Istephan added that through the Health and Safety Design Forum, which was set up at the start of the year to address such issues, the group will be championing organisations to address the balance.

"The only way we can do this is through the forum as there is a whole culture to change," she said.

"We will also be looking for support from the Royal Institute of British Architects to press forward the changes."