Innovation September-October 2023

P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E

FREQUENT PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE INQUIRIES What are professional registrant and registrant firm obligations related to independent reviews of high-risk professional activities and work? All registrants must be aware of the eight quality management requirements for professional practice in BC ( egbc.ca/Practice Resources/Individual-Practice/Quality-Management-Guides ). The requirements are: • authentication • field reviews • use of professional practice guidelines • independent reviews of structural designs • independent reviews of high-risk professional activities and work (IRHPAW) Based on the results of recent audits, the requirements related to the IRHPAW are not well understood at an individual or firm level. While the requirement for independent review of structural designs has been in effect in BC since 1992, the requirement of IRHPAW was formally introduced in 2021. The intent was to broaden the application of independent reviews to all areas of practice, as structural engineering is not the only area where high-risk activities and work are undertaken. Documented checks have long been a requirement of all types of professional work, however, the need to introduce independent reviews to all professional work was determined through outcomes of recent investigations, practice reviews, and audits. The Guide to The Standard For Documented Independent Review Of High-Risk Professional Activities Or Work (EGBC-Documented-Indep-Rev-of-HRPAW-V1-0.pdf.aspx ) provides Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s interpretation of Bylaw Section 7.3.6 and guidance on how this requirement is expected to be carried out in practice. High-level professional practice expectations and obligations regarding IRHPAW include: CONDUCTING A RISK ASSESSMENT Professionals of record are responsible for carrying out a documented risk assessment at the outset of all work to determine if an independent review is needed based on risk. Engineers and Geoscientists BC provides a detailed outline of the expectations for risk assessments in the guide. An understanding of what is meant by the terms “hazard,” “consequence,” and “risk” is required to understand the requirements related to IRHPAW. • direct supervision • document retention • documented checks

Registrants are encouraged to review Appendix B in the guide for a detailed explanation of these terms, and a description of some analogous terms used in various industries. The risk assessment, once completed, will guide registrants on the independent review requirements for the specific work being assessed. One of the outcomes will be guidance on whether the independent review can be completed internally within a firm (type one) or must be Professionals of record are responsible for identifying the requirement for an independent review through a risk assessment, as well as the required frequency of independent review. Professionals of record are required to take action to ensure the independent review is completed; the guide further elaborates on when, how, and by whom the independent review should be conducted. ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES In many cases, a streamlined approach (e.g., conducting global risk assessments, completing periodic independent reviews, or carrying out reviews of repetitive or iterative activities or work) is available. Guidance on these alternative approaches and special cases are captured in the guide. It is important to note that none of the special cases or alternative approaches listed in the guide are exceptions to the requirement to complete a risk assessment. DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT Professionals of record should obtain an authenticated version of the independent review, and must retain and preserve the documentation (including reports and follow up documentation) related to the independent review for a minimum of 10 years in accordance with other quality management requirements. All professional activities and work must now go through a risk assessment to determine whether the requirement for independent review applies. Structural engineering work still follows the requirements of Bylaw 7.3.5 as outlined in the Guide to the Standard for Independent Review of Structural Designs (EGBC-Documented-Indep-Rev-of-Structural Designs-V2-0.pdf.aspx ). For related professional practice inquiries, please contact practiceadvisor@egbc.ca . completed by a different firm (type two). CONDUCTING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW

Alice Kruchten, P.Eng. Practice Advisor

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