The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) has confirmed that two professional engineers in the civil-engineering discipline have conducted an inspection and preliminary investigation following the deadly collapse of the M1 bridge support structure on October 14. The two ECSA-registered engineers will now prepare a report for tabling at the council’s October 29 investigation committee meeting.

The failure of the structure, which was being erected as part of a project awarded to leading construction group Murray & Roberts (M&R), resulted in the death of two people and injuries to more than 20 others. The scaffolding, supplied by Form-Scaff, a Waco company, was being used as a support structure for the formwork and the concrete that would be poured to build the bridge.

ECSA has a statutory responsibility, in terms of the Engineering Profession Act, to investigate any engineering-profession-related matter where public health and safety have been compromised and violated.

In response to questions posed by Engineering News Online, ECSA executive for statutory functions Advocate Rebaone Gaoraelwe says the engineers were immediately dispatched to the site to conduct an inspection and a preliminary investigation. “They have taken photos and made notes and a preliminary report will be tabled at ECSA’s investigation committee on October 29.”

ECSA could not be drawn on its conclusions to date, saying the information gathered, although in the public interest, remains “confidential at this stage due to the sensitivity of the investigation”.

The initial focus is to determine whether a registered engineering professional or professionals are involved on the R130-million project to build a pedestrian bridge linking Alexandra to Sandton.

“If they are, the next step will be to determine what their role in the project is, specifically whether such a role is linked to the collapse. If they aren’t registered with ECSA then the inquiry stops as ECSA does not have jurisdiction over engineers not registered with it,” Gaoraelwe explains.

The Engineering Profession Act 46 of 2000 does not make it compulsory for every practising engineer to be registered with ECSA.

Should ECSA have jurisdiction, however, its processes will seek to determine whether the individuals acted in a manner that may have contravened its code of conduct for registered engineers.

The council says it also has a policy of not revealing the identity of the engineers so as to protect them in view of the seriousness and sensitivities associated with the investigation and in order not to jeopardise the investigation.

It could also comment on whether the engineers will face suspension, explaining that such a decision is a contractual one between the project owner and the contractors.

M&R, which is conducting its own probe, has told Engineering News Online that should the error relate to the actions of the company “further actions will have to be taken”.

Should a registered engineer be found to have breached ECSA’s code of conduct, the severity of the sanction will be based on the extent of their role and its relationship with the collapse. “Sanctions include, but are not limited to, a reprimand, peer counselling, a fine, or even deregistration.”

However, there was also the possibility of criminal sanction should investigations by the South African Police Service and the Department of Labour recommend prosecution.

ECSA stresses, however, that it should not be considered a “foregone conclusion that an engineer or engineers on site failed to do their job”.

“Such a collapse could be as a result of an act or omission by one or more of the role-players involved, hence the multiple investigations being carried out to make such a determination. Even if an engineer is involved, it does not flow therefrom that such an engineer is professionally-registered and therefore under ECSA's purview,” Gaoraelwe asserts.

Meanwhile, M&R reports that it has offered to pay for the immediate medical expenses of the injured, as well as the costs of the funerals for the two deceased.

The JSE-listed group has also met with its insurance brokers and underwriters, which have reportedly indicated that the company should be covered for the incident. However, the full financial impact will only be known once the various investigations have been concluded.