MARCH e-NEWSIssue 54 2019 A word from the Registrar

RPEQ renewals 2019/20

Networking fundamentals

RPEQ ‘sign off’, ‘certification’ and the PE Act

Mount Isa CPD course

Welcome to our newest RPEQs

A WORD FROM THE REGISTRAR

RPEQ registration renewals for 2019/20 begin next month and will be accepted until 31 May. As happened last year, RPEQs will complete the renewal process online through the ‘My Account’ portal, except those who have not complied with CPD requirements or declare a fitness to practice issue. To ensure that RPEQs are well informed about the renewal process we have included information in this e-news issue and will be distributing notices via post and email in the coming weeks.

Voting is underway to elect a RPEQ to the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland. This year 28 high quality candidates from diverse engineering backgrounds have nominated for election. Eligible voters would have recently received their ballot information from the designated voting services provider, CorpVote. RPEQs can cast their vote online from now until midnight on election day, 24 April 2019.

Two current matters BPEQ is following with interest are the new Work Health and Safety regulations for the major inspection of amusement rides and the Inspector-General Emergency Management (IGEM) review into the Townsville floods, specifically the operation of the Ross River Dam.

The new Work Health and Safety regulations require that major inspections of amusement rides are conducted by, or under the supervision of, a person who is registered under a law that provides for the registration of professional engineers. This allows a person registered as a professional engineer in other States and Territories, and perhaps even overseas, to conduct these inspections. BPEQ believes that the only professional engineer that should be allowed to conduct these inspections is a RPEQ registered here in Queensland in an appropriate area of engineering (e.g. Mechanical) and with demonstrated competence in conducting these types of inspections. BPEQ will be writing to the government outlining its concerns.

In relation to the flood review, it is BPEQ’s view that the operation of dams involves the carrying out of professional engineering services. BPEQ plans to make a submission to the enquiry.

If we can provide further information or assistance, please contact BPEQ at admin@bpeq.qld.gov.au or call 07 3210 3100.

KAINE BARTON

A/Registrar

2The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

RPEQ RENEWALS 2019/20Registration renewals for 2019/20 begin on 1 April 2019. In the coming weeks RPEQs will receive their renewal notice (by post and email) and a tax invoice from BPEQ.

5 STEP ONLINE RENEWAL PROCESS

1. Visit www.bpeq.qld.gov.au2. Sign-in to ‘My Account’ (sign-in name is your RPEQ

number)3. Click renew now4. Answer online renewal questions5. Make payment

KEY DATES 2019/20 REGISTRATION FEES

RPEQ registration expires 30 June 2019 RPEQ Practising - $227.65

Non-Practising Professional Engineer - $113.80The renewal period is 1 April 2019 - 31 May 2019

Your renewal must be completed and submitted, and payment made by 31 May 2019

Your RPEQ registration will be active for 12 months from 1 July 2019 - 30 June 2020

To renew online registrants must be able to answer YES to either question one (1) or question two (2) of the continuing professional development (CPD) questions (Section C) and NO to ALL fitness to practice (FTP) questions (Section D). If you cannot renew your registration online, you will need to complete a paper renewal application form. To request a paper renewal application form please email admin@bpeq.qld.gov.au directly.

HOW TO PAYAfter answering the online renewal questions, you have three payment options:

ONLINEthrough ‘My Account’

using a credit card

EMAILcomplete Direct Debit

Request Form or provide credit card details (see Tax

Invoice) and send to: finance@bpeq.qld.gov.au

along with Tax Invoice

POSTcomplete Direct Debit

Request Form or provide credit card details (see Tax

Invoice) and post to: PO Box 15213,

CITY EAST QLD 4002 along with Tax Invoice

NB: BPEQ only accepts payment by VISA or Mastercard. The Direct Debit Request Form is available through the 'My Account' portal at www.bpeq.qld.gov.au

3The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

CHANGING YOUR REGISTRATION TYPEYou will need to complete a paper renewal application form

To request a paper renewal application form email admin@bpeq.qld.gov.au.

For more information contact the Registration and Corporate Services team at admin@bpeq.qld.gov.au or visit www.bpeq.qld.gov.au/rpeqrenewing

IF YOU ARE CHANGING FROM PRACTISING TO NON-PRACTISING, YOU SIMPLY NEED TO TICK THE ‘NON-PRACTISING’ BOX ON THE PAPER RENEWAL APPLICATION FORM.

IF YOU ARE CHANGING FROM NON-PRACTISING TO PRACTISING, YOU MUST ALSO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WITH YOUR RENEWAL APPLICATION FORM

Evidence that you have undertaken at least 150 hours of structured CPD in the previous five years.

OR

Evidence that you are currently chartered (or equivalent) with one of the BPEQ’s approved assessment entities.

4The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

NETWORKINGFUNDAMENTALSBPEQ building and construction industry representative Yvonne Pengilly discusses the fundamentals of networking

Engineers are at the forefront of many technological changes that reduce the need for human interaction. However, face to face networking and communication skills are fundamental for both professional and personal relationships. The importance of these skills cannot be overstated but through changes such as social media, webinars and working from home, we are at risk of losing these important skills.

As a RPEQ you can enhance your communication and networking skills by commencing a network which includes not just peers but also engineering students, graduate engineers who are still not eligible for RPEQ, and members of aligned but different industry organisations. This will take effort and time however it will give you benefits, by exposure of new and innovative views, an understanding of how others view the engineering profession and satisfaction that you are contributing to the growth of the engineering profession in Australia.

Attending an event is the primary way people network and develop these skills. However, it can be an unnerving and awkward experience for some and it is often the thing people dislike most about their job. With that in mind there are ways to approach networking at an event and to make the experience less daunting:

1. Research who is attending and make it a point to know one interesting thing about some of the people attending.

2. When you meet someone ask them a question about themselves, and where possible about the point of interest you know about them, leaving them to take over the conversation.

3. Rescue the person on their own, they’ll really appreciate you saving them!

4. Arrive early, don’t deliberately come late as it’s harder to meet people.

5. Don’t assume those in positions more seniorto yours are friends with everyone in theroom. Take the chance and treat everyone as an equal.

6. Don’t try to continue a conversation withsomeone who is obviously keen to catch upwith someone else, give them opportunity tomove on.

7. Be yourself, that’s when you shine the most

I recently spoke about networking skills with Michael Johnson, host of networking events East Coast Forum. Michael provides the following tips:

Q: What are your key strategies when attending a networking event as a guest?

A: Remind myself that I am at a networking event and why I am there. Drill down as to why you are attending the event.

Always try to be one of the first to arrive particularly if you’re nervous, uncomfortable, or going alone, so you can meet the initial people that arrive, and become part of the event as early as possible. This helps you get into the groove of the event.

Find a common denominator between yourself and the guests at the event. Find out something about the person you have met which you have in common. A good ice breaker is ‘are you a regular at these events?’

Q: What are key strategies you would suggest specific for engineers when attending networking event as a guest?

A: Take chance and luck out of networking and be precise. Apply formulas to networking as you would engineering.

5The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

YVONNE PENGILLY

Yvonne Pengilly is BPEQ's building and construction industry representative, appointed in July 2016. Yvonne has more than 30 years’ experience as a consultant, contract administrator, project manager, builder and managing director. Yvonne owns and manages Myown Constructions, combining her managing director role with construction manager and consultant. She is a member of Women in Construction, Queensland Master Builders Association and the Australian Institute of Company Directors and sits on the Queensland Building Commission Board. Yvonne has been awarded on a number of occasions by QMBA for her work and service in the building industry.

For those engineers that are uncomfortable in a new environment or networking event the best way of getting rid of your nerves is to share your interest or knowledge on a topic you’re an expert in with the person you’re speaking to.

Q: When hosting a networking event what is your strength and strategy?

A: I try to introduce my guests to new contacts and make new guests comfortable by introducing them to others.

I try to make people comfortable and relaxed.

I speak early in the event, letting out nervous energy through talk.

Q: Key takeaway regarding networking?

A: Networking is a skill that requires you to be precise and accurate just like engineering.

6The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

RPEQ ‘SIGN OFF’, ‘CERTIFICATION’ AND THE PE ACTRPEQ ‘sign off’ and ‘certification’ (which are sometimes interchangeable terms; for this discussion we will use the term ‘certification’) are common practice in the engineering profession. They provide a degree of quality assurance and certainty to clients and other third parties and accordingly are often required by contract, state and federal governments and local councils.

However, RPEQ certification (and sign off) is not required nor mentioned in the Professional Engineers Act 2002 (Qld) (PE Act).

What the PE Act1 requires is that ‘professional engineering services’2 are only to be carried out by:

• a RPEQ (registered and competent in the relevant area of engineering); or

• an unregistered person who is directly supervised by a RPEQ registered in the relevant area of engineering (unless that service is carried out only in accordance with a prescriptive standard).

How then does this ‘fit’ with the common practise of RPEQ certification?

Understanding RPEQ certification?

A certification is a positive representation of certain things. Simple examples of positive representations by a RPEQ include certifications that something is ‘structurally sound’, ‘complies with the building approval conditions’ or complies with ‘all applicable standards and codes’. Some certifications may include representations that a design or construction meets contractual requirements or environmental approval conditions. A common example of a certification by RPEQs is the certification required by a Building Act, Form 15 ‘Compliance Certificate for Building Design or Specification’

In the case of certification by a RPEQ it is reasonable for a certification to be interpreted by a third party (and certifications will usually be interpreted by BPEQ) as representing that the professional engineering service has been undertaken:

• in a professional and competent way by an appropriately registered and competent RPEQ or under their direct supervision.

• to a standard expected by professional peers and the public through the exercise of adequate knowledge, skill, judgement or care in the practice of engineering

even where the certification does not specify these matters.

1See section 115(1).2See definition in Schedule 2 of the PE Act

7The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

Certification can be an involved process that, often, requires the RPEQ to exercise professional skill and judgment based on appropriate evidence.

The requirements and limits of the certification should be clear between the certifying RPEQ and the person to whom the certification will be given. In certain circumstances, certification can have disciplinary implications for a RPEQ. Certification is therefore a serious commitment and one that should be approached with caution and care and carried out in a professional and competent way.

Certification is good practise as it creates a record of who is responsible for the professional engineering services and is a good quality assurance measure for those services. It is not however a substitute for the legal requirement of direct supervision.

Providing certification after completion of a professional engineering service

Where a person who is not a RPEQ has undertaken a professional engineering service and there has not been ‘direct supervision’ during the lifecycle of the service, an end of process certification will not constitute ‘direct supervision’ nor retrospectively cure the absence of ‘direct supervision’.

Any person who carries out a ‘professional engineering service’ when not a RPEQ nor directly supervised by a RPEQ commits an offence against section 115(1) of the PE Act. A RPEQ who knowingly permits an unregistered person to carry out the service without supervision and then certifies that service may be subject to investigation and resulting professional discipline by BPEQ for inadequate supervision and/or demonstrating a lack of adequate knowledge, skill or care.

Further resources

How a RPEQ should approach and provide certification is an involved topic that has previously been the subject of BPEQ e-news articles in September 2014 and May 2016.

BPEQ practice notes on certification, professional engineering services and direct supervision also provide important information.

For further advice contact BPEQ’s Legal, Compliance and Investigation Unit at legal@bpeq.qld.gov.au or call 07 3210 3102. BPEQ staff will endeavour to provide general information about the requirements of the PE Act and Code of Practice for RPEQs but cannot provide technical or legal advice.

8The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

9

UPCOMING CPD COURSES AND CONFERENCESENGINEERING AUSTRALIA

Unconventional Gas: Sustainable Water Management Webinar: 4 - 18 April 2019

Integrity of Aging Structures Gladstone: 4 April 2019

Becoming Chartered and Understanding RPEQ Brisbane: 10 April 2019

IPWEAQ

Road Safety Audit Workshop Cairns: 2 - 3 April 2019

Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop Level 3 Cairns: 9 - 11 April 2019

Type A, B and D Sediment Basin Design Workshop Brisbane: 11 April 2019

Liquid Learning

Women in Engineering Leadership Summit Brisbane: 21 - 24 May 2019

The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

MOUNT ISA CPD PILOTActing on the feedback from RPEQs project management will be the topic for the BPEQ hosted CPD course in Mount Isa.

BPEQ has engaged Stephen Keys as the course facilitator. Stephen is a highly regarded facilitator and coach with over 25 years' professional experience across a diverse range of disciplines in the engineering and telecommunications industries.

DATE Tuesday, 30 April 2019

TIME 8:00AM - 4:00PM

VENUE Moondarra Room, Ibis Styles, Cnr Rodeo Drive and Camooweal Street, Mount Isa

RSVP Tuesday, 16 April 2019

The course is free to attend for RPEQs and catering will be provided throughout the day. Please advise of any dietary requirements when registering to attend (Mount Isa and Cloncurry RPEQs have been sent a course inviation).

While visiting Mount Isa, BPEQ staff will also make themselves available to conduct seminars on the PE Act and RPEQ system for engineering firms and other employers.

For any questions about the CPD course pilot or to arrange a seminar on the PE Act and RPEQ system contact BPEQ’s Communications and Engagement Manager at admin@bpeq.qld.gov.au or call 07 3210 3107.

10The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST RPEQS

WELCOMEBPEQ extends a warm welcome to the following engineers who recently became registered:

MahsaTimothyOmar Mohammed SaifAllanCameronRajanJarvisSantoshDeanNgEhsanShahramChristopherAnthonyThomasCameronFranckCharlesTobyAdrianThomasSimonSasaRobertAlannahJoshuaChristopherAndrewMatthewReneAbbyGillianGoolamNatalieRichard

AKHLAGHIALDRIDGEALIALLPORTAMRIANANDANDERSONANKALEASHTONASOKBAFEKRPOURBAIGBAKERBALLOCHBARBERBARRBEGONBELLBENNETTBENOYBERGMANNBEVISBJEDOVBOCTORBOLSTERBRIMBLECOMBEBUCHANANBURNSBUTTIGIEGCARCAMOCAROLANCARTERCASSIMCHADUDCHAN

BiomedicalChemicalBiomedicalInformation Technology and TelecommunicationsCivil, StructuralElectricalCivil, StructuralStructuralCivilStructuralMechanicalCivilManagementManagement, MechanicalMechanicalMechanicalInformation Telecommunications & ElectronicsManagement, MechanicalCivilStructuralCivilCivilCivilMechanicalCivil, ManagementMechanicalCivil, StructuralElectricalStructuralInformation Technology and TelecommunicationsCivilNaval ArchitectureMechanicalPetroleumStructural

11The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

YongqiWilliamKaressaDanielAdamNammuniGregory Jean-BrendanVitoSimonJamesLachlanLukeMahdiPaulChristopherLauraJojyHaojieDeeshaNorestStephenClive

MohamedBrettMehdiChengwenChaoPaulHuiSarahCraigMarkAlirezaChamilaThomasChandra SekharIanAmirAndrewChetanAyoubMohammad Ali

CHENCIBICHCULLENDAINARDDAWSONDE SILVADELANNOYDEVERDI RENZODIMOPOULOSEHRETELLISFALLAFERASATKISHFUTTERGAGGGARSIDEGEORGEGONGGORASIAGOVHAGRAYGROSS

HAGGAGHAILSHAJIAN HOSSEIN ABADIHANHANHANSSENSHAOHARLENHARRISHARRISHEDAYATIHERATHHOWELLINDURTHIJENNISONJESMIJONESJOSHIKASEM RIMANKHAN MOJLISH

ElectricalChemicalCivilBuilding Services, MechanicalStructuralCivilAerospace, ManagementMechanicalCivil, StructuralMechanical, StructuralMechanicalElectricalElectricalCivilMechanicalStructuralCivilCivilStructuralElectricalCivilChemicalBuilding Services, Information Telecommunications &ElectronicsStructuralCivilCivilCivil, StructuralCivilCivil, ManagementBiomedicalElectrical, ManagementCivilChemicalMechanicalElectricalChemicalCivilCivilElectricalManagement, MechanicalBiomedicalGeotechnicalCivil

12The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

JoonhoJarrodJustusLukaCinarEricMichael

BingxiangArulRaymondOwenAndrewDavidDonaldJohnEmranjeet SinghMylenSameh MohamedFrancisPeterAndrewPeterPatrickJonathanDavid

JonathanGregoryGol BooJohnMesHeKavinesh

ThomasCraigRossMarkMichaelBartCallanHeliaVinit Yogeshbhai

KIMKINGKLINKHAMERKOVACEVICKUNDUZLAMLATTOUF

LINLOGANATHANLOWELUCASLYMACHINMACISAACMACKENZIEMALHIMANABATMANSOURMANZANOMATTHEWSMAYMCKELLMEARESMIDGLEYMILBURN

MOONMORELLIMOSAVARIMOSESMUCHENANAND

NOONENOSKEO’BRYANO’HAGANO’HARAOOSTHUIZENPAIGEPALIZVANPATEL

MechanicalCivilMechanical, StructuralCivilCivilCivil, EnvironmentalInformation Telecommunications & Electronics, ManagementStructuralElectrical, ManagementElectrical, ManagementMechanicalInformation Technology and TelecommunicationsCivil, ManagementMechanicalMechanicalElectricalElectrical, ManagementManagementCivilMechanicalCivilElectricalCivil, Management, StructuralManagement, MechanicalManagement, Information Telecommunications & ElectronicsCivilAeronauticalMechanicalMechanicalElectricalElectricalElectrical, Information Technology and TelecommunicationsCivil, ManagementCivilMechanicalStructuralElectrical, ManagementCivilCivilStructuralElectrical

13The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

BhavinClydeCraigTimothyYolandeMadhuAaronHermanArjangKaihuaMeysamHosseinShivakumarKirkMaxwellHectorJonathanHughOlafSurekhaLukeBagawath SinghArmanDaleAbuMumtazKarenTimurAndrewMeganPannirAdamWeiDharmitkumarJeremyRichardDanishLionelHowardJinalCharlesRickKentonRichard

PATELPELLEWPERRITTPHILLIPSPHILLIPSPOKHRELPOOLEPORTERPOURSARPARASTQIURADRAHIMIRAMANREEVEROBERTSROGEL SALAMANCARUDDRUSSELLRUTGRINKSAMALASAMMUTSANTHANAMSANTOSSARGENTSAYEMSHAHSHAWSHIPILINSOMERSSTRONGSUBRAMANIAMSUMNERSUNTHAKORETRICKETTTWISKUDDINVAN DEN BERGVAN DER KLAUWVORAWARKWASZKIEWICZWEBERWESTERMAN

MechanicalBuilding Services, ElectricalCivilMechanicalElectrical, ManagementElectrical, ManagementStructuralManagementElectricalEnvironmentalCivil, StructuralStructuralElectricalElectricalElectricalMechanicalPetroleumMechanicalMechanical, StructuralStructuralCivilCivil, StructuralCivil, StructuralCivilMechanicalCivilChemicalCivil, StructuralCivilStructuralMechanicalCivilInformation Telecommunications & ElectronicsMechanicalStructuralElectricalMechanicalInformation Technology and TelecommunicationsManagementElectricalStructural, Civil, Subdivisional GeotechnicsElectricalCivil, StructuralMechanical

14The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

MichaelLapShaneZhan FerngJamesKevanArashWeiGregory

WILLSONWONGWOODLEYYAPYOUNGYOUNGZAMANIZHANZIETH

CivilMechanicalStructuralElectricalCivilElectricalMechanical, StructuralElectricalCivil

15The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019

Don’t forget BPEQ is on LinkedIn and Twitter. To keep up to date with the latest news and events from BPEQ or to start a discussion on registration or engineering issues generally, click FOLLOW.

CONNECT WITH BPEQON LINKEDIN AND TWITTER

admin@bpeq.qld.gov.au

(07) 3210 3100

www.bpeq.qld.gov.au

Level 15, 53 Albert Street Brisbane 4000

PO Box 15213 CITY EAST QLD 4002

This newsletter is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice and should not be taken or relied upon as such. If you have any questions or concerns about your compliance with the Professional Engineers Act 2002 (Qld) or your general legal obligations as an engineer, you should obtain appropriate legal advice. The Board accepts no legal responsibility or liability for any loss you may suffer as a result of reliance upon the information contained in this newsletter.

16The Board of Professional Engineers Newsletter, Issue 54 March 2019