Omnia Forensis Ingenariae 
"All Things Forensic Engineering"
News and Views for the Forensic Engineer
and Their Legal/Insurance Clients
Richard A. Rice, PE - Editor
Edition XXII - May 2018
Editor's Thoughts
May is filled with construction safety activities. May 1-5 is Construction Safety Week. The purpose of Construction Safety Week is to raise awareness of all safety issues in construction across the country. To learn more about Construction Safety Week, Click Here .

It is without exaggeration when I write that 39% (i.e. OVER 1/3) of all construction fatalities are caused by falls. What is ironic is that construction falls are some of the most preventable occurrences. This is why OSHA and other safety minded organizations are promoting National Safety Stand-Down To Prevent Falls in Construction Week May 7-11. Noted construction firms throughout the United States have been recognized by OSHA and other federal agencies for their participation. To learn more about this life saving event, Click Here .

For the "Fatal Four" construction injuries, Click Here .

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Again, thank you. If you have suggestions for OFI, please email me any time. 

Sincerely,

Richard A. Rice, PE
In the News this Month...
Court Mandated Independence of Expert Witnesses in Canada and Australia
Issues that attorneys must consider to make sure their Expert Witness is found independent. Click Here

Ignorance is No Excuse
If you have ever worked with OSHA, you know that a "Competent Person" is someone who can recognize a hazard and take action to correct it. Here is an article about a supposed Competent Person who claimed ignorance of the specific rule that caused a worker's death. Click Here.

Another Way to Make Roof Hail Claims More Confusing
"Functional Damage"..."Cosmetic Damage"...and now we have "Aesthetic Impairment" when considering minor hail damage to a roof. When you are required to make a roofing product out of paper and glass (asphalt shingles), it is no wonder that they are damaged so easily. Let's start putting white asbestos back into asphalt shingles and solve this problem all together. Yeah, you read that right. Click Here

Subrogation After a Failed Waterline
This is a great article on who your subrogation targets are after a waterline failure. Click Here.

What Does OSHA Think About Construction Safety?
OSHA's Dean McKenzie - Directorate of Construction provides incite into the current state of construction safety, and what OSHA has planned for the future of construction safety. Click Here .

Updated Rules on OSHA Fall Protection Requirements
As mentioned in earlier editions of OFI, 2017 brought many changes to OSHA fall protection requirements. Attorneys from Pepper Hamilton, LLP provide their legal perspective on these OSHA changes. Click Here.

Expert Witness Abuse from Around the Globe!!!
An expert witness in Indonesia opined that the actions of a local politician caused severe environmental damage. The politician was convicted of corruption and sentenced to jail. Now the politician is suing the expert witness. Click Here.

Expert Referrals
I have the privilege to work with many great forensic experts in the United States, Asia and Europe in the fields of Accident Reconstruction, Electrical Failures, Mechanical Failures just to name a few disciplines. Please allow me to refer to you one of these court tested experts for your next insurance claim or legal matter. There is no charge to you. I do not get a finders fee from anyone. This is my way of helping you. Plus, I can help my Forensic Engineering colleagues. Please email me or call 404.395.7441. 

Note:  No warranties, expressed or implied, are made to the suitability of any expert referred to you. Do your homework to make sure you have the right expert.
...about the Editor
Richard A. Rice, PE is President and Forensic Engineer for Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI. Because of 30 years of continuous civil/structural design services, and his early and continued exposure to his friends and families many construction businesses, Mr. Rice is uniquely qualified to provide Civil/Structural Forensic Engineering services to the insurance, legal, and construction industries. Services include building design and construction, roadway design and construction, building inspection and code compliance, building/foundation collapse, construction site incidents, and other property loss subjects. Mr. Rice is a licensed professional engineer in several states, and a Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).
Mr. Rice has written a novel and numerous technical articles published in professional journals for NAFE, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), and the Georgia Defense Lawyer Association (GDLA). Please call/email Mr. Rice or visit his company's webpage:

Richard A. Rice, PE - Civil/Structural Engineer
Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI
(Phone): 404.395.7441

MEI has recently moved. The new address is:

Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI
13009 Panhandle Road
Hampton, GA 30228


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