CRPEP Supports Engineering Offices Supervision as required by Municipalities

CRPEP Supports Engineering Offices Supervision as required by Municipalities

12 November 2019

The Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP) has been undertaking a major enforcement campaign as part of its commitment to meeting inspection standards for compliance as mandated in the law through its Inspection Team who have been carrying out frequent random visits of construction sites. It is, however, reported that some Engineering Offices are failing to properly oversee their projects.

It is important to clarify that Engineering Offices have a responsibility past the design phase. Not only are they required to guarantee the correct selection and appointment of reputable and suitably experienced and qualified contractors to undertake the project; they are also required to oversee and monitor projects subject to contractual obligations in order to ensure that construction contractors and their personnel use the correct construction techniques, standards and appropriate materials with consideration to safety, the environment, labor and insurance requirements and that their procedures comply with statutory requirements and are in accordance with the project design. Therefore, it is imperative that all Engineering Offices invest in experienced and qualified supervision staff who must be licensed and are familiar with these requirements, construction methods and materials for the works they supervise so that the work is executed properly, timely and safely. Failing to do so is a breach of the Law and contrary to everyone’s interest.

When an Engineering Office fails to properly supervise a project to meet the duty of care required, there are repercussions. This negligence creates a potential opportunity for both unscrupulous contractors to potentially take short cuts or use substandard materials and contractors who are not aware or familiar with certain requirements to do a bad job or use inappropriate and/or unsafe construction methods. These shortcomings can be disastrous and places people’s lives and the environment at risk, not only during the construction phase but also during the life cycle of the structure. A lack of supervision can also increase the project costs and/or the project completion schedule which could have detrimental effects on stakeholders. It can also lead to poor performance during the life cycle of the project and increased operational and maintenance costs and even premature failure.

The Council urges all Engineering Offices and Engineers to exhibit the highest standards of integrity and honesty and would like to remind Engineering Offices of their Legal and Professional obligations to assign licensed Engineers to supervise all aspects of engineering on a given project from start to finish. The number of Engineers assigned will be determined by the scale of the project. However, the responsibility of supervision remains no matter how large or small the project is. By upholding these standards, the Council aims to protect Bahrain’s economy through world-class professional standards.

The Council would also like to make it clear that the majority of the Engineering Offices licensed in Bahrain uphold their obligation. However, the enforcement is being undertaken to make sure that all offices are in compliance. Any offices found to be non-compliant, will face the maximum penalties enforceable by Law.

For information regarding the Law and Executive Regulation, please refer to the Council’s website www.crpep.bh or visit the Council’s Office in the Seef District.