Engineers can provide a vital role in providing safety outcomes in building construction processes, Engineers Australia representatives have a told a Senate Inquiry.
The Commonwealth Senate Committee inquiry into fire safety in buildings called Engineers Australia to give evidence last week in Canberra.
The inquiry was established to look into issues of non-conforming materials being used in construction in Australia in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.
Engineers Australia CEO Peter McIntyre, National Chair of the Society of Fire Safety Jonathan Barnett, and Victorian Division President Chris Stoltz, who is the EA’s media spokesperson on fire safety issues, all presented evidence.
Senators Chris Ketter (Labor), Kim Carr (Labor) and Nick Xenophon (NXT) listened as EA representatives highlighted while the issue of non-conforming building product was important, there were also fundamental and overarching issues at play.
Engineers Australia highlighted issues involving:
- Construction phase inspections
- Self-certification
- Building commissioning
- Essential Safety Measures, and
- The roles of professionals like engineers and their registration.
The Senators noted that most organisations giving evidence were reluctant to take responsibility for their roles in the construction process and safety outcomes.
Engineers Australia representatives made it clear that our profession is keen to have a more prominent role in providing safety outcomes to the industry.
Our representatives also welcomed a regulatory structure that recognises the vital work of engineers.
Read our full written submission for more detail on the Engineers Australia position.
The Committee inquiry transcripts will be available on the Committee’s website in due course.