R2A Blog

One of the more interesting philosophical issues arising from the introduction of the model WHS legislation is the question of whether the precautionary principle incorporated in environmental legislation is congruent with the precautionary approach of the model WHS legislation.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a standard is “an authoritative or recognised exemplar of correctness, perfection, or some definite degree of any quality.” Of course, this is but one of several definitions, and there seems to be at least five types of ‘standards.’

The post-graduate course R2A presents at Swinburne became a core unit in 2016. Over 80 students enrolled in first semester. The course is based around the 2016 edition of the R2A Text. Presenters from R2A included Gaye Francis, Tim Procter, Richard Robinson and Adriaan den Dulk. The enrolment numbers were a step up from previous semesters, […]

R2A maintains a focus on our directors’ continued personal and professional development. One key area of this is exploring new and historical ideas from the wider engineering context. We often find interesting ideas in our reading, with relevant ideas for engineers, especially as they relate to due diligence and good decision-making. Our recent blogs have discussed […]

A recent edition of the SFPE (Society of Fire protection Engineers of the USA) magazine had an interesting study on professional ethics.  Possibly the most arresting image is shown above on the public perception of honesty and ethics. The result is from a Gallup poll where respondents were asked to rate the honesty and ethics of […]

According to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), unexpected events that lead to substantial overspend by owners of poles and wires is capped to 30 per cent. The rest can be transferred through to the consumer. That is, it does not have to be budgeted for.

The consequences of the model WHS (Work Health and Safety) legislation on electrical safety are quite startling, but they have not yet been realised.

… their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel. (Ezekiel 1:16) “It’s turtles all the way down!” (Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time)  R2A consults to a wide range of industries. We advise our clients on topics as diverse as safely emptying a 40-metre-tall sugar silo, procuring a […]

The Engineers Australia Safety Case Guideline (3rd Edition) is presently being reviewed by Engineers Australia legal counsel. It is expected to be released by the Risk Engineering Society through Engineers Australia Media in early 2014.

The changes set in motion by the 2011 National Model Work Health and Safety legislation are becoming apparent. Designers, owners, operators, regulators and the Courts are beginning to come to terms with the WHS Act’s imposed duties for organisations’ officers to ‘exercise due diligence’ in their safety risk management processes. Due diligence is also a […]