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SCOSS: origin, role and terms of reference
SCOSS reports directly to the Presidents of the Institutions and liaises with the respective Directors of Engineering. Its Reports are published biennially. These are available on the website and are sent to key representatives of organisations with responsibility to contribute to structural safety. Bulletins, Alerts and Topic Papers are also published from time to time to draw attention to SCOSS's recommendations and to encourage the collection and dissemination of experiences likely to foster the avoidance of structural failures and a greater measure of structural reliability.
Whilst concentrating on matters relating to the United Kingdom, SCOSS maintains an awareness and contact with construction events worldwide. In so far as its resources enable it to do so, it seeks to obtain information from overseas experience by appropriate contacts with the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering and other international associations.
Topics for consideration by SCOSS arise from many sources; relying upon information derived mainly from the experience of others. SCOSS seeks information on how structures actually perform in practice. It identifies where risks are thought likely to be unacceptable and then seeks changes of practice which will maintain safety. It is itself a feedback mechanism and encourages other, more comprehensive, modes. Feedback is received through the day-to-day interaction of SCOSS members with the professions, industry and government. Feedback on topics which are considered particularly relevant is actively sought by the Secretary. SCOSS receives presentations on specific topics from relevant experts. More than a hundred topics have been closely studied at some time in the last 28 years. Many of these topics are, by their nature, fundamental and ongoing and of a general nature. Others are relatively detailed and result from incidents reported to SCOSS as potential problems. Not all topics drawn to the attention of SCOSS are necessarily pursued. Once a topic has been addressed, SCOSS aims to leave the matter unless it decides that there are ongoing structural safety issues which are not being adequately addressed elsewhere.
Confidentiality is an essential feature of SCOSS's procedure. This helps to encourage those who have doubts, fears or experiences of potential problems to share them with SCOSS. It also means that ideas, materials or techniques under discussion are not seen to be unnecessarily blighted by suspicions.
Administrative and secretariat support are funded by the two Institutions with additional financial assistance to these support services provided by the Health and Safety Executive since 1995. The Institution of Structural Engineers provides the secretarial services.
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