Professional and Career Topics

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  • 1.  Inspections in Safety-Critical Scenarios

    Posted 20 days ago

    A recent thread in the Integrated Buildings & Structures Community started by @Mitchell Winkler made me think more broadly about construction inspections in general, so I wanted to bring it to the larger group in Professional and Career Topics.

    Below are a few questions that come to mind, and I'd love to hear any other thoughts you have on the topic.

    What best practices have you seen work well for inspections on safety-critical infrastructure?

    Could who hires an inspector make a difference in the reliability of the report due to conscious or subconscious bias on behalf of the inspector's "client"?

    What steps or quality processes can designers suggest on projects to increase the chances their designs are implemented as intended in the field?



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    Heidi C. Wallace, P.E., M.ASCE
    Tulsa, OK
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  • 2.  RE: Inspections in Safety-Critical Scenarios

    Posted 15 days ago

    Excellent questions, Heidi. IMO, there's an inherent conflict of interest if inspectors are hired by the inspectee. Internal reviews are often seen as suspect, but the same is true of any review or investigation where the outcome may influence future work. Insisting on quality work may get an inspector or reviewer blackballed by that organization or an entire industry. If inspectors aren't truly independent, I don't trust the system.



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    William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
    ENGINEER
    Columbus MS
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  • 3.  RE: Inspections in Safety-Critical Scenarios

    Posted 5 days ago

    The article that caught my eye in today's source was 

    Civil engineers can help firms and advance careers by speaking up, leader says

    It would be great to see a leader speak up on this topic. C'mon, there must be a retiree or two who can comment on this post without fear of retribution. 



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    Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
    Houston, TX
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  • 4.  RE: Inspections in Safety-Critical Scenarios

    Posted 4 days ago

    A Culture of Safety Starts at the Top[1]

    If you're going to change the narrative around ISO 45001, it needs to be driven from the top. It's

    easy for management to hand down a list of safety protocols, check off a few compliance

    requirements, and call it a day. But true cultural change requires a commitment from the highest

    levels of leadership.

          "Hey man, hurry up! Boss said  bonus for early finish!"

     ISO 45001 is most effective when leaders lead by example, prioritizing

    safety in both word and action.

          Safety or Profit, A Moment By Moment Daily Choice.™

    Cheers, Bill  😊

    P.S. If the CSO doesn't report to the CEO, don't expect lasting, significant change.



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    William M. Hayden Jr., Ph.D., P.E., CMQ/OE, F.ASCE
    Buffalo, N.Y.

    "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Eliot 1819 - 1880
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    Original Message


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