Comments on: Carillion’s botched earthworks blamed for fatal Stonehaven derailment

By: Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey Smith — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 08:06:18 +0000

Thank you to IRH for the link to the official report. Now I understand. The bund ran across the side of a field, channeling water to the single point of the new drain, so creating really concentrated flow and making washing-out of the new drain even more likely. I wonder why someone thought the bund was a good idea?

By: George Markland

George Markland — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 09:12:56 +0000

Excellent observations regarding those rather archaic values of lifelong career ownership, commitment, interest and experience, which can only be measured at sad times like this.
There used to be Quality, which was superseded by Quality Control, which was in turn superseded by Quality Assurance, then because QSs make the world go round and a lower headcount means less obvious cost, the industry now relies on QS threats to sue contractors who are deemed after the event to have failed to meet their quality, or any other contractual, obligations.
Unfortunately, unlike the Carillion Southmead Hospital example, that modern approach doesn’t even offer the intended contractual pyrrhic victory in this tragic case.
It also illustrates that safety is not a separate growth industry, again heavily populated by QSs. If the Chartered Engineer is allowed the necessary resources and as a result achieves the required quality, then the obvious safety requirements are also achieved.

By: Peter Monk

Peter Monk — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 17:12:07 +0000

In reply to Peter Derek Dilworth. Here, here, -- so what will be the role of the Chartered Infrastructure Enfineer in such cases. Where will be the on-site, dirty booys, input ? ?

By: Peter Monk

Peter Monk — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 17:06:58 +0000

In reply to Simon Leeper.

Agreed 100% – ad that is how it used to be. Also the PWay ganger and his length-men held a proprietorial interest in ‘their length of ‘route’ and soon brought such problems to the attention of the District Inspector, and thence to the District Engineer. These members of the team had a wealth on local knowledge that was invaluable – it really did not need a Resident Engineer to check such works – the local men knew the problems and how they should have been solved.

By: Peter Derek Dilworth

Peter Derek Dilworth — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:37:32 +0000

I am in complete agreement with those pointing out the obvious need in our industry for the re-introduction of the RE and the CoW. Having worked in construction for 45 years as (inter-alia) Contractor, RE, CQA Engineer and designer for unsupervised D&B schemes it is clear that the forces at work in an unsupervised price competitive construction environment works against the delivery of quality and increases the risk that what is built is not as it should be. It is a naïve person that would imagine otherwise. Any intelligent Client who has a basic understanding of human nature and the construction industry ought to run a mile from unsupervised infrastructure delivery.

By: Hugh Alexander Allan

Hugh Alexander Allan — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:19:59 +0000

In reply to Dennis Gedge. Absolutely agree, and the civil engineering inspectors and clerks of works. And on a not unrelated theme, absence of the latter, looking after the interests of the prospective purchasers and not the builders, explains the numerous reports of shoddy workmanship on our new housing stock.

By: irjconsult@gmail.com.qsi

irjconsult@gmail.com.qsi — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:59:52 +0000

In reply to Jeffrey Smith.

Full report here with photos and diagrams. https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-02-slash-2022-derailment-of-a-passenger-train-at-carmont

By: Dennis Gedge

Dennis Gedge — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:55:17 +0000

Bring back the RE

By: Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey Smith — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:34:33 +0000

Perhaps I am being stupid but I would really like to see a diagram to understand exactly how the bund caused the problem. I am not saying there was not one: obviously there was, with tragic consequences, I am just trying to learn for the future. Hopefully more information will be available soon.

By: Simon Leeper

Simon Leeper — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 23:50:25 +0000

“Although Network Rail had a project team, they were not required by Network Rail business processes to check that the drain was being installed in accordance with the design. They therefore relied on a contractual assurance process that required Carillion to refer proposed changes to the designer, Arup, for approval.”
This statement sums up an issue throughout our industry. We used to have Resident Engineer teams independently checking site works. The movement to self certification has not worked. Just created small cost savings during construction and major issues post completion. Construction works should be independently checked and certified.