As said, the semi floating axle is definitely load bearing, the end of the axle holds the hub assembly together. You can't pull the axle out like a full floater and just keep driving as probably only the brake calliper will stop it from all coming apart. Likewise the nut on the end has to be in place and done up tight. That said, on the rear if an axle breaks it probably won't break in outer area that holds everything together because the hub and bearings prevent any real flex in the axle and the area immediately inboard is quite substantial because it is designed as a flange. The break will probably happen next to the flange or at the end of the splines at the diff. The front however.... I wouldn't put money on anything especially if the CV bell breaks as this is a part of what forms the inner flange, but again the flange area is thickened so probably any fracturing of the bell wouldn't go too far through the flange.

That said, I am very surprised at the engineer because none of the key components are the same apart from the CW/P. he mustn't have looked too carefully at all.