INNOVATION September-October 2012

d i sc i p l i ne and en forcemen t

Interim Order Pending Hearing – James Camsoon Hum PEng, Surrey, BC – Practice Restricted Three separate complaints were made to APEGBC concerning Mr Hum’s professional conduct regarding structural and geotechnical engineering. One complaint related to his structural and geotechnical designs and field reviews for a residential property located in White Rock, BC. Another complaint related to his structural designs of aluminium guardrails for a project in Surrey, BC. The third complaint related to his inspection and approval of a lock-block retaining wall located in Abbotsford, BC. Each complaint was investigated by a designated reviewer and sent to the Investigation Committee, which after further investigation recommended that a discipline inquiry be held. Mr Hum was served with three Notices of Inquiry but no date has been set to hear the matters. APEGBC made an application to a panel of the Discipline Committee for an Interim Order to restrict Mr Hum’s practice rights pending the hearing of the merits of the charges. The panel determined that: • While making no findings of fact on the complaints and allegations, the allegations are serious matters that, if unresolved, do not uphold the statutory obligations of the association, public confidence and the protection of the public; and • There is an urgency in ordering oversight of Mr Hum’s professional practice due to the potential threat to the public interest. The panel ordered that, pending the hearing of the merits of the charges, Mr Hum’s practice of professional engineering be restricted by requiring that all professional engineering work be supervised by a professional engineer or professional engineers acceptable to and approved by the Registrar of the Association. Consent Order – Alfred Webster Trask, Chilliwack, BC A complaint was received by APEGBC regarding Mr Trask’s design and field reviews for a sewerage system for a residential property. The matter was eventually referred to the Investigation Committee, which found that Mr Trask’s filing was contrary to appropriate practice and the Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual and recommended an inquiry. In lieu of proceeding to a discipline inquiry, Mr Trask admitted the filing was contrary to appropriate practice

and the Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual and accepted as his penalty: 1. A reprimand; 2. Resignation of his membership in the association by September 30, 2012; 3. To have his professional engineering services for any existing or new projects peer reviewed until the date of his resignation; and 4. Payment of the association’s legal costs, disbursements and taxes in this matter up to the amount of $3,500. Mr Trask failed to meet conditions 3 and 4 of the Consent Order by the deadline and his membership was suspended effective August 8, 2012. A complaint was received by APEGBC regarding Mr Visscher’s structural design for two tilt-up structures in Kelowna, BC. The matter was referred by the complaint reviewer to the Investigation Committee, which found that the design did not meet the BC Building Code and recommended an inquiry. In lieu of proceeding to a discipline inquiry, Mr Visscher admitted the structural drawings were deficient and accepted as his penalty: 1. A reprimand; 2. Supervision of his engineering practice for at least 12 months by a professional engineer approved in advance by the Registrar; 3. Successful completion of the BC Codes and Practices examination; 4. Payment of $3,000 towards the Association’s legal costs; and 5. A $10,000 fine. Information on APEGBC ’s complaint procedure and copies of Consent and Interim Orders can be found on the APEGBC website under “Discipline and Enforcement.” Further information on the investigation and discipline processes can also be obtained by contacting Bev Mitovic, Compliance Officer, at bmitovic@apeg. bc.ca or (604) 412-4869 or toll-free 1-888-430-8035 ext 4869. Consent Order – Richard Owen Visscher PEng, Kelowna, BC

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WE’RE AT THE APEGBC 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE & AGM. VISIT OUR BOOTH AND SIGN UP FOR THE APEGBC’S DIGITAL SIGNATURE FOR $0 * .

www.notarius.com/ APEGBC

How? Bring your duly filled-out application form and declaration form along with one (1) photocopy of two (2) pieces of government-issued ID, including one (1) with a photo. An IVA will be onsite to attest your identity.

*Sign-up fees are $0 only if you sign up onsite. Regular sign-up fees are $140. This promotion does not apply to annual subscription fees of $185.

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