INNOVATION November-December 2014

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Elliot Lake Inquiry Final Report Issued In his final report released October 15, 2014, Justice Paul Belanger, Commissioner of the Elliot Lake Inquiry, issued nine key recommendations. The inquiry followed the June 2012 collapse of a portion of the rooftop parking deck of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake, ON, onto the two floors below, resulting in two deaths and the injury of 19 individuals. The report concluded that the

continuing its investigations into whether work by PEO licence holders was performed competently and in compliance with the regulations under the Professional Engineers Act. The full report can be accessed at: elliotlakeinquiry.ca v

collapse was the result of continual and uninterrupted ingress of water and chlorides from the rooftop parking deck, resulting in the severe corrosion and eventual failure of the steel substructure below. Justice Belanger reported that behind the technical reasons for the collapse was a story of human error and failure. He noted that, “many of those whose calling or occupation touched the mall displayed failings—its designers and builders, its owners, some architects and engineers, as well as the municipal and provincial officials charged with the duty of protecting the public.” The key recommendations address minimum standards for maintenance; proper qualification of engineers inspecting buildings when sold or more frequently if public safety dictates; mak- ing enforcement standards straightfor- ward; accountability of public authori- ties; and communication and search and rescue organization. Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) requested, and was granted, standing in the first phase of the inquiry, which dealt with events prior to the collapse. PEO was provided a formal opportunity to recommend changes or additions to legislation, regulations, standards and codes related to professional engineers and engineering with respect to the events leading up to the tragedy. PEO Registrar Gerard McDonald, P.Eng., was pleased the Commissioner chose to endorse almost all of these recommendations, stating: “We believe implementing these recommendations, in addition to the others made by the Commissioner that apply to our profes- sion, will strengthen engineering practice in Ontario and help to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.” In addition to its review of the Commissioner’s report, PEO is

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