Plesae give your ngineering opinion 2

[geotechniqa]

Hello guys
A head person in my company has asked me to go and inspect a big tailings dam in remote site (interim preliminary inspection to ensure safety for a short run). "Direction by telephone could have been provided to me" the person said

I have never inspected such kind of huge structures before and they need only one person to go. Although I have the theoretical background about tailings dams ,but I believe that these kind of tasks require judgment and experience more than science. I think that for couple of times I should by doing that under a supervision of experts. What do you think..?
Appreciated

Therefore, I said this work is beyond my capacity. That man accepted nicely. However, when I requested to be involved partially so that I can learning the process. The person again said that only one person only should be involved.
Plesae give me your opinion on the matter.

 

[dirtguy4]

dgillette,

I completely agree with you regarding tackling projects that are not in your area of expertise. I also agree that on larger projects, a team of technical specialists is required and yes the project this young person has described appears to be a large project.

I do feel that the concept of bowing out gracefully is becoming far too over used today and that we need to realize that this should not always be the first option. I'm not saying it is not an option, but I will say this, as an employer, it helps when your junior staff have passion. I also think in times when you feel that you are above your capabilities, that clearly defining your scope is critical. I just can't see a senior engineer wanting a junior woodchuck to inspect a tailings dam all by themself. If this is the case then I stand corrected and appoligize, but somehow I think there is more here.

 

[geotechniqa]

Any way, I think that I made the right decision, as many of you agreed already. Going alone to inspect (for the first time) in life, an important huge structure, is beyond my competence and this is really not ethical and professional thing to do . When it comes to safety, the business side/money should shot up. Anyway opening the forum was good because I know now that engineers vary remarkably in their attitude concerning professionalism and safety.

 

[kslee1000]

It looks like you have only received verbal inquiry/request from the person. I suspect that this guy has been through that (condition survey) many times. Have you asked for written scopes, procedures, check lists, and/or previous reports. If you have all but still are not confortable, then it's time to bail out. Otherwise, you may have loat a learning opportunity.