In this report, presented in electronic format as was its predecessor ¹ , SCOSS outlines the issues considered over the two year intervening period and the concerns arising from them as they relate to structural safety.

The report begins in Chapter 2 with an update on the Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety (CROSS) scheme which is now moving towards a launch on 10 June 2005. This is considered to be a major milestone. It is down to the industry to make it a success such that wide benefit is obtained.

A feature which emerges strongly from the Committee's deliberations is that concern relating to structural safety risk is not limited to construction products e.g. the strength of steel, or of connections, important though they are. The possibility of an unacceptable reduction in the safeguards against failure may be found at all points in the engineering process and hence this report is structured around the three key components i.e.people, process and product.

Structural engineering requires people with appropriate skills, knowledge and abilities and aspects of competency are reviewed in Chapter 3. The process of engineering involves many activities and in Chapter 4 consideration is given to risk management, designer responsibilities, certification of products, Eurocodes, the workings of BSI committees, and impounding structures. Chapter 5 considers some specific aspects of products i.e. liquid metal assisted cracking, large panel structures and some general issues including deterioration of our building stock.

Chapter 6 reflects upon the fact that there continue to be failures around the world all of which have lessons for us in our day to day design and construction activities. Finally, the actions taken on the recommendations of the 14th Report are outlined in Chapter 7.

It is the case that items identified in the 14th Report, i.e. Risk Management and Eurocodes remain as central threads to current concerns, and hence feature again in this Report.

The period since the 14th Report has illustrated once again that at its best the industry continues to hold its world ranking. It also illustrates however that, as noted in the Summary to the previous Report, we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball; this is amply demonstrated by the examples quoted in Chapter 6.

The Committee is able to report in particular that it has played a part in:

• initiating a survey on the efficacy of the BSI committee system
• encouraging the provision of practical information on risk management
• the establishment of a standing committee to monitor issues associated with the introduction of Eurocodes
• the establishment of CROSS

In order to assist in the assimilation of the report recommendations, they are directed at Influencers, and at Practitioners.

Influencers are individuals or organisations able to influence or directly bring about change. These will include for example Government Departments and Agencies, Institutions, BSI and Higher Education centres. Practitioners are all those who practise structural engineering or who manage the process. In some instances however, the recommendations will also be relevant to Owners and Facility Managers. The recommendations for Influencers are in many cases different to the recommendations for Practitioners.

Chapter 2: Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety (CROSS)

Influencers
2/I1	All those of influence are requested to encourage use of CROSS in order to allow a meaningful quantum of data to be collated, and for the culture of the industry to change such that reporting matters of concern becomes the norm.
2/I2	Institutions are encouraged to open a debate to identify how contemporary information on specific items of concern may be discussed and made known, even though the issue may be subject to legal action. The text quotes the initial reports on two foreign structural collapses as examples.

Practitioners
2/P1	All those practising structural engineering- as designers, specifiers, academics, and others, are asked to contribute to CROSS should they have a valid point of concern. It is only by having contributions from those at the coalface will the industry be able to improve and avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

Chapter 3: People

Influencers
3/I1	(3.1 Competency) Institutions are encouraged to review their validation procedures to ensure members maintain an adequate level of competency over their working life.
3/I2	(3.1 Competency) Institutions are encouraged to ensure that the education and initial professional development phases place sufficient emphasis on the issues highlighted within this Chapter. Employers are encouraged to ensure that in-career development of their employees covers these issues.
3/I3	(3.1 Competency) Design organisations are encouraged to review their internal procedures to ensure risk is identified and managed in accordance with best practice.
3/I4	(3.1 Competency) Suppliers of software and design aids should ensure that their products provide adequate guidance on aspects which might influence the appreciation or analysis of risk elements.

Practitioners
3/P1	(3.1 Competency) Individuals involved in structural engineering should consider the specific issues identified in this Chapter and how they may impinge on individual competency.

Chapter 4: Process

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Influencers
4/I1	(4.1 Risk Management) ODPM is encouraged to promote guidance on appropriate risk management measures that would satisfy the disproportionate collapse requirements for buildings in class 3.
4/I2	(4.1 Risk Management) Institutions are encouraged to consider how IPD courses based round the syllabus given, may be introduced.
4/I3	(4.1 Risk Management) Academia and Industry are encouraged to consider the issues arising from paras 4.1.10-4.1.17 in connection with model validation.
4/I4	(4.1 Risk Management) Institutions should consider whether the interview process for membership should include reference to this topic.
4/I5	(4.2 Designer Responsibilities) Institutions are encouraged to raise a debate on the issues identified in this section, as they have the potential to impinge directly upon the maintenance of adequate levels of safety. (Note ICE and IStructE have already agreed to review this topic area.)
4/I6	(4.2 Designer Responsibilities) Design organisations should consider the points discussed when entering into commercial arrangements and to bring pressure to bear where possible in order to minimise the identified shortfalls.
4/I7	(4.3 Certification, use of products and other associated matters) Industry should consider producing a clear definitive guide to this subject area (perhaps through the Construction Products Association or as an extension to the existing ODPM guide to CE marking) written in a manner which will assist those specifying or using products.
4/I8	(4.6 Impounding Structures) The ICE, and the British Dam Society (BDS) in particular, should consider how it may assist DEFRA in making a case for changing the assessment of reservoirs to a risk based approach, regardless of size
4/I9	(4.6 Impounding Structures) The ICE, and the British Dam Society (BDS) in particular, should obtain further data on the concerns outlined in respect of PII, and if appropriate make a case to DEFRA. This should be undertaken expeditiously.

Practitioners
4/P1	(4.1 Risk Management) Practitioners are encouraged to ensure that they have an understanding of the elements of the 'risk management' course.
4/P2	(4.1 Risk Management) Practitioners should consider the points made in respect of model analysis, and to apply these to their own projects.
4/P3	(4.3 Certification, use of products and other associated matters) Practitioners should be alert to the issues associated with certification and use of products as there are real safety issues involved, specifically during the period of familiarisation with EU standards and procedures.
4/P4	(4.6 Impounding Structures) Panel Engineers should assist the British Dam Society (BDS) in respect of Recommendations 4/I8 and 9.

Chapter 5: Product issues

Influencers
5/I1	(5.2 Large Panel Structures) ODPM is encouraged to ensure that local authorities are aware of the issues associated with Large Panel Structures generally, and specifically on the use of LPG in and around multi-storey structures, and its relationship to 'fuel poverty'.
5/I2	(5.4 Miscellaneous) The House Builders Federation is encouraged to expedite a means of providing adequate warning of unintended collapse due to inappropriate use of timber joist hangers.

Practitioners
5/P1	(5.1 Liquid Metal Assisted cracking) Practitioners in steelwork design or fabrication should make themselves aware of the issues associated with liquid metal assisted cracking.

Footnotes

¹but accompanied by a hard copy Executive Summary Report. A hard copy of the full report has been placed in the principal libraries.