I worked for many years in the engineering insurance industry as an engineer surveyor carrying out statutory inspections of lifting equipment. During the course of my job I visited many building sites each week to inspect cranes and other mobile lifting equipment. Although I am now retired, I know that these inspections are still being carried out.

Would it not be possible to expand the role of the engineer surveyor to include a wider inspection of the site that they visit and target specific areas that are of particular concern? I would not advocate them taking over the job of the HSE but they could be asked to concentrate on areas such as people working at heights or some other specific action that causes most accidents. Basically, they would be carrying out an assessment of how that specific risk is managed on that site. I am sure in these days of a diminishing market for the engineer surveyor the inspection companies would welcome the extra work.

Bill Gemmell

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