Industrial Accidents: The Powerful Impact of Forensic Engineering

Our primary role at Dreiym Engineering is to help companies of all sizes with bespoke engineering design services around electrical and cathodic systems. However, with our wealth of experience and 30 years of combined experience in the industry, we are called upon from time to time to conduct forensic engineering consulting for law firms or insurance companies. One of the more common tasks is looking closer at industrial accidents.

Located in Houston, Texas, we encounter a wide range of issues, from electrical systems in waste management plants to challenges faced by oil and natural gas companies. Our forensic engineering company applies hard-earned expertise to investigate why an industrial accident happened, what underlying causes need to be addressed, and suggestions for moving forward.

The goal is to leverage engineering insight to improve and proactively prepare companies for any future accident prevention.

Critical Methods of Forensic Engineering

Every type of industrial accident will have its own set of unique attributes and details. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, as the very nature of the work differs from location to location. Instead, we apply a framework of evidence-based processes to the situation. This allows people in our industry, as well as those in the law or insurance sectors, to better understand what is going on. Some of the more common methods used may include:

• Site Examination & Documentation: We will visit the scene and begin to photograph and document any of the details that stand out. This is the basis of evidence used during much of the later parts of the investigation so we can identify any underlying causes that contributed to the accident (infrastructure weaknesses, electrical design flaws, poor maintenance practices, etc.).
• Data Analysis & Forensic Accident Reconstruction: After we’ve collected data, it’s time to review details like equipment performance or procedure manuals. This empowers our team to reconstruct the logical sequence of events and identify any deviations or shortcomings that may have occurred.
• Material & Component Examination: Defects or deterioration are contributing factors to malfunctions. Looking closely at materials involved in the accident helps determine if substandard components determine liabilities.
• Simulation & Modeling: When necessary, forensic accident reconstruction can involve specific digital simulations. This allows us to demonstrate what we believe occurred and to test any hypothesis we may need to explore further.
• Testimony & Reporting: Depending on the client, our team presents all our findings in an easy-to-understand packet. This may include verbal testimony where our forensic engineering company offers expert insights into what happened, how it can be prevented in the future, and what details need to be considered concerning liability.

Many of these same methodologies are used when we complete a task related to forensic engineering consulting. You may wish to hire a professional team like ours before any industrial accident as a preventative measure. That enables you to address issues you may not have noticed before by having a set of unbiased and experienced eyes, giving everything a good once over – just in case.

The Role of Forensic Engineering Firms in Industrial Accidents

Whenever a new project concerning forensic engineering pops up, we try to be clear about our role. There are so many variables that need to be considered based on the unique job site or project location that it helps to define what we will be doing and the outcomes our clients expect to receive.

In most cases, our qualified and experienced forensic engineering company will:

• Provide insight into potential or previous industrial accidents through in-depth accident investigation based on evidence, witnesses, and forensic accident reconstruction.
• Offer testimony in written or oral form to law firms, insurance companies, government entities, and private companies wishing to understand how to avoid things in the future.
• Present preventive measures that can lower the risk of industrial accidents concerning corrosion, electrical, lighting, fire and explosion, mechanical, or civil concerns.

We also use a variety of tools and procedures, from drone services to in-depth analysis. For example, our corrosion failure analysis uses cathodic protection service suggestions aligned with DOT, PHMSA, OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory guidelines.

Common Challenges of Forensic Engineering in Industrial Accidents

There are some roadblocks to completing a fair and in-depth forensic engineering consultation. Not every site has all the data and easy-to-access facilities needed for a complete investigation. This is another reason we are called for help. Having spent years working in various industries and alongside insurance and law interests, we have the ability to infer based on data-driven insights.

That being said, some complications must be addressed, including:

• Complex Sites: The very nature of industrial accidents leaves site conditions that may be harmful to human interaction. We have the specialized knowledge in the industry to know what safety protocols must be undertaken. That could include using a drone or outfitting our team with preventative equipment.
• Lack of Data: A significant roadblock to address is a lack of information. An accident tends to be slightly chaotic, where crucial data is unreliable or compromised. In these situations, we fall back on our experienced protocols and advanced technologies. If needed, we will collaborate with specialists to double-check our findings, so clients have the expertise required to move forward with liability or preventative initiatives.
• Time Constraints: Industrial accidents are always under a stopwatch. Forensic engineering firms must act quickly as clients want to be back on schedule to maintain operations. Even though we have a select group of engineers and consultants, we share the workload and use advanced technologies to streamline any forensic engineering consultation.
• Legal Considerations: All of our forensic accident reconstruction and investigations must fit the frameworks for legal scrutiny. That is a gigantic benefit to all our clients as it better prepares them for what could occur in the future. These professional codes of conduct and information preparation give you the insights necessary to move forward.

Knowing the various roadblocks to safe, accurate, detailed, and efficient industrial accident investigations ensures our team is capable of managing your next situation. From retroactively visiting a site and providing an understanding of root causes to preventative investigations that equip a company with more secure safety measures, our forensic engineering company at Dreiym Engineering is here to help.

Wrapping Up

No one wants to experience an industrial accident. The company loses time, equipment, money, and materials. The community is concerned about environmental and commercial impacts. Leadership in the area now has to address these issues instead of focusing on more important matters of state.

All in all, industrial accidents are a serious issue that needs to be addressed quickly and efficiently. Our team at Dreiym Engineering works hard to provide accurate liability determination. We offer the in-depth insights necessary for preventing future incidents and building enhanced safety protocols. Our technical expertise in forensic engineering is what you need to bridge the gap between legal liability and futureproofing your business and job sites.

Book a consultation with our team today, and let’s discuss your unique needs. We want to help all organizations in and around Texas have a safer, more reliable solution to operating at the industrial level. As an industry leader, Dreiym Engineering is here to help!