Responsible Charge - What does this mean to you? 1

[BadgerEngineer]

State statues require Engineers to have "responsible charge" over drawings they sign and seal. What does this mean to everyone? I have researched this but am having a difficult time coming across a specific response.

At my firm it is not uncommon to have employees without their professional license heading structural projects. An EOR is brought in at 100% construction drawings to quickly review (15 minutes or less) and sign and seal the drawings. (He/She may be involved during the kickoff and/or consulted when questions arise, but otherwise they are not involved on in the daily design process) Does responsible charge include believing that your employees are adequately trained (even if not professionally licensed) and trusting the systems your company has put in place to prepare drawings that are safe for public use?

I greatly appreciate all your input.

 

[BRGENG]

Ask this question to your State Board. They are the only ones with the correct answers since they are the ones that can fine you if you do not comply with their definition. Each State is different so ask all that you are licensed in if you have any doubt.

 

[Incinerman]

The EOR is nuts! By doing this he earns a small fee, but could be leaving himself and his insurers in the frame for damages way in excess of anything he earned during the "checking". As an independent consultant myself, I am pretty wary of organisations pulling a fast one to lay off risk.

If asked to do something like this I am basically willing to advise on a limited liability basis, usually limited to my contract value and covering only strictly strictly defined parts of the design. I would not formally sign off anything I hadn't had sufficient time to check in enough depth to be confident of.

We don't have the same licencing system in the UK though.

 

[JLSeagull]

Look for definitions at the various state enineering regulations:
Texas Engineering Practice Act and Rules
SUBCHAPTER F: ADMINISTRATION
§131.81 Definitions
(35) Responsible charge - An earlier term synonymous with the term "direct supervision"; the term is still valid and may be used interchangeably with "direct supervision" when necessary.

 

[msquared48]

To me it means that you have the ethics to pay for what you have charged.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering