Engineers

The storage of paper reference materials and customers’ records may add to the fire load. Storage should be in fireproof file cabinets, and fire suppression systems must not damage the papers. Computers and other electronic equipment may be targets for theft.

proposals, prototypes, final specifications, and work in progress. Computers generally have expensive hardware and software designed specifically for engineering applications. Power failure and power surges are potentially severe hazards. Computer systems must have adequate security features to prevent unauthorized access due to industrial espionage or by hackers. Duplicates must be made often and stored off-site. Storage on the premises should consist of fireproof cabinets. There may be an off-premises exposure if engineers take tools and equipment to customers’ job sites.

theft, particularly industrial espionage, is great. Background checks should be conducted on all employees. Monitoring procedures and securing of all records should be enforced to prevent unauthorized access to client information. There must be a separation of duties between persons handling deposits and disbursements and reconciling bank statements. Employee dishonesty issues may arise when an employee is on a client’s premises.

failure, such as the collapse of an interstate or high-rise. The exposure increases if the firm fails to conduct thorough background checks to verify employees’ accreditations, education, and licensing, permit clerical workers to do tasks that only professionals should handle, or if error-checking procedures are ignored or are inadequate. All design specifications must be followed and inspections regularly conducted. Documentation must be clear,
with changes marked and authorizations signed by both the engineer and the customer. Agreement with clients, including fee arrangements, should be in writing. Customers can suffer financial loss due to construction delays and cost overruns. Other exposures include allegations of breach of a client’s
confidentiality or a conflict of interest,

are not local. If vehicles are supplied to employees, there should be written guidelines regarding the personal and permitted use of the vehicle. All drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. Vehicles must be maintained and records kept in a central location.

include eyestrain, neck strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and similar repetitive motion injuries that can be reduced with ergonomically
designed workstations. Off-site exposures may include working at construction sites, at heights, on rough terrain, or in isolated areas. Engineers can be injured off-site by slips and falls, falling objects, falls from heights, electrical panels and wiring, construction machinery, flying debris, noise, foreign objects in the eye, assault, and automobile or aviation accidents. Protective equipment may be required.