Civil Engineering Experience Report: Ethical Issues and Competency

This report details a civil engineer's experiences with ethical issues, competency, and engineering activities across several projects. The first experience involves a project development engineer's role in Western Australia, where ethical concerns regarding street light placement near apartments were addressed by revising the design to respect residents' privacy. The second experience focuses on the Regional Engineer's role in Afghanistan, where the engineer managed a conflict with a farmer and demonstrated ethical consideration by delaying construction to allow for crop harvesting. The third experience highlights the engineer's commitment to practicing competently, including training in GPS-based software, continuous learning, and adherence to standards while working on a land reclamation project in Singapore. Finally, the report touches upon the engineer's responsibilities in designing and constructing district center roads in Afghanistan, emphasizing stakeholder consultation, adherence to standards, and the challenges of remote locations.

EXPERIENCE REPORT

Personal Commitment
Eoc 1: Dealing with Ethical issues
Claim 1
From June to September in 2018, I worked as a Project Development Engineer for
Shier of Wyndham and East Kimberly (SWEK) in Western Australia. I was involved with
implementation of 2017/18 state government funded black spot programme recommendation.
SWEK has identified a street with Kununurra district centre under black spot programme that
is needed to be improved. During the safety auditing, SWEK identified problem of the
Bandicoot Drive, which was a poor illumination at night time. This enhanced the high
pedestrian and vehicle accident rate at night time. SWEK got the service of Ansel Technical
Electrical consultants to design the street lights for the street. They used to visit the site and
designed street lights as per the standard guidelines.
I made coordination with designer, Horizon power (Western Australia Electricity
Power authority) and SWEK to implement this recommendation. When I received the design
of street lights, I reviewed the design at site. I noticed that some street lights were closed to a
balcony of an apartment in Bandicoot Drive. I noticed that this installation can challenge the
privacy of the occupant in the apartment. Under following ethical guidelines such as:
Engineers Australia (EA), 1.3 Respect the dignity of all persons, 4.1 Engage responsibility
with the community and other stakeholders (Be sensitive to the public concern), and 1.1 act
appropriately, and in a professional manner, when you perceive something to be wrong.
Therefore, I instructed electrical design consultant to revise the design of particular location
in the view of my finding. I highlighted my management in future safety auditing of the street
should account ethical aspect as well.
Moreover SWEK received several feedbacks from people for poor illumination at
River Fig Avenue which is close to the main shopping area of Kununurra. It was also raised
by SKEK planning department in their frequently safety auditing of the city centre. I raised
this matter with Ansel Technical Electrical consultants to accelerate the design of the avenue.
Then I prepared necessary application with comply with design and raised Purchasing Order
with Horizon power to get the necessary material and implement the design as soon as
possible. There I followed the ethic guideline of EA, 4.1 Engage responsibility with the
community and other stakeholders (Be sensitive to the public concern).
Claim 2
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Between November 2004 to December 2007, I worked in the North-East Region of
Afghanistan as the Regional Engineer for United Nation Office for project Services
(UNOPS). During this period I implemented 24.5 km asphalt surfacing of Imam Sahib
Connector road including 35 Culverts and floodway. We implemented this project on the
behalf of USAID (United State Agency for International Development). I had selected a
contractor in order to implement the project as per USAID and UNOPS guidelines. After the
Contractor commenced demarcated the right of way for the road corridor, my national
engineers reported that a farmer had cultivated wheat in some portion of the land within the
project limits. I immediately visited the site with municipal council officers and noticed that
the road corridor had been clearly encroached. The Wheat fields were ready to be harvested,
but the Contractor was about to commence clearing and grubbing on this land. When I met
the farmer, he accepted that he had encroached on demarcated land and requested me to
consider delaying of the works by two weeks, allowing him to harvest the crop.
I realised that, though the Contractor was legally allowed to start work on the land in
question, but it could have been an ethical issue if we did not let the farmer to harvest. I
discussed this with the Contractor's Project Manager and municipality officers to check
whether he can proceed with the farmer's requirement without compromising the progress of
the works. Contractor agreed to delay the works in that particular area and utilised his
resources for works in another section with no additional client cost. Farmer was very happy
for our solution to the problem. I also advised my national engineers to immediately
investigate any other activities by residents that could potentially delay the progress of the
works. Finally, I discussed this matter with the Municipal Council to prevent such things
from happening in the future, by maintaining appropriate level of communication with
landowners, in particular of the legal implications of such actions.
Project was completed well ahead of the schedule and contractor was very happy with
his outcome of the project. As a regional team leader, I assisted contractor to achieve this
targets technically and logistically in different ways. At the opening ceremony of the project I
received a very expensive handmade rag from the Contractor, but realised that accepting a
gift from the Contractor could be an ethical issue. Code of Ethics of Institute of Engineers Sri
Lanka (IESL) stated that 'Engineers shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, directly or
indirectly from contractors or their agents', and UNOPS code for Employees as well.
Therefore, I convinced this ethical practices and principles, bound to contractor and declined
his gift.
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Eoc 2: Practise Competently
From March 2001 to Oct 2004, I worked for Toa Corporation (Japan) as a Civil
Engineer in the Pulau Tekong Island development project ($1.2 billion, Singapore) in
Singapore. Toa was engaged in the off shore land reclamation using sea sand and basic
infrastructure development in the reclaimed land such as access road, terminal building,
jetties and rock revetment of new reclaimed boundaries.
Works carried out by me, included developing conceptual designs for rock revetment,
internal road network and data processing for volume calculations for reclaimed land and site
inspections. Within two weeks of my commencement in Toa, I was assigned to study Global
Position System (GPS) based software’s for survey data collection, processing, design and
volume calculation. I followed training from Trimble (Singapore) for GPS related software
HydroPro Naviedit and Theramodel. These software’s were capable of surveying data
collection in land and water (including seabed) and generate contour plans, cross sections and
volume calculations. They were capable of real time tide correction for hydro surveying. I
generated contour mapping for the offshore area and calculated the volume of sea sand
required to fill the sea up to 2.5 m above the mean sea level (MSL). I was aware that I had
very limited exposure to NaviEdit, and Theramodel during previous work experiences and
new exposure. Therefore, whenever I had some free time, I followed built-in tutorials to
increase my understanding of the command, tools and technique and efficient handling of the
software. I kept good contact with Trimble (Singapore) technical coordinators/ trainers and
gained some clarification from them. I discussed complete survey to shear the knowledge
with them. Within few months, I gained good knowledge of these software’s, ensured
efficient generation of information and plans for trailer suction hopper dredgers for dumping
the sand at right location.
Throughout this engagement, I tried to keep my competency levels high, utilised my
experience and knowledge whilst applying engineering principles to resolve engineering
problems. I produced designs that compliant with standards and guidelines, like British
Standards (BS), Singapore standard etc. Utilised all the available resources such as AutoCAD
and Land Development. I voluntary participated in the Eco sounding survey training with
Trimble (Singapore) and involved others in it, when my work was less demanding. It gave
me the confidence of conducting Hydosurvey of sea bed using Eco sounder and GPS
software. I followed necessary manuals and learned the process of instrument calibration
before starting any survey of sea bed. This gave more stability to Toa when Hydro surveyors
were absent, as a viable option to cover any urgent survey due to my malty skill. My overall
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knowledge of surveying and data processing software made me an expert in the field. I could
identify any kind of potential problem within the survey data and analysed the reason for
such poor data collection. With my knowledge of engineering principle and calculation I
became a good volume calculator using Hydropro and AutoCAD. I was able to transfer some
data between these two programme using DFX (Drawing interchange format) or CSV
(Comma Separated Value) format of survey data in both the software’s. The experience I
gained for volume calculation enabled me to work as a team member of Toa Corporation
international tendering team. When they quote for significant international tender I worked
long hours according to the requirement in tendering work. I studied the effective use of MS
Excel for simple programming and summarise and presentation of quantity extract from other
software such as AutoCAD, NaviEDIT and Theramodel.
To enhance my report writing and presentation skills, I voluntarily participated in the
Toa staff development activities, including one ISO 9001 quality assurance workshop in
Malaysia as well. My employer maintained a system database that recorded the technical
skills of each employee. In addition to updating this system, I also maintained a spreadsheet
that recorded trainings and workshops that I participated. I underwent performance reviews in
every 6 months during this employment, which helped me in assessing my competency and
performance against those required by the employer to fulfil my duties effectively and
efficiently. Through this process I was able to identify the areas I was under performing and
needed improvements.
As an example, during my first 6 months review, I recognised lack of experience and
competency in handling work scheduling for tender submission. I discussed possible ways to
improve my competency level in MS Project with Project Manager. He agreed to arrange a
training course in MS Project for me at the earliest possible opportunity. I set an agreed target
of achieving required competency in MS Project within 3 months. After participation in the
training, I was able to practice the skills I gained in real business and was successful in
achieving the required competency within given time frame for tender submission. As a Civil
Engineer, I worked within my field of expertise. Whenever I had issues or concerns in
incorporating inputs from other disciplines, such as survey, design code and geotechnical
engineers, I sought advice from the relevant parties. The majority of my works involved
incorporating design engineering requirements, which created more challenging situations. I
maintained very close liaison with the senior design engineers who were very helpful and
made me understand their requirements which were needed to be incorporated in my designs.
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It also helped me in enhancing my knowledge in the field of design and geotechnical
engineering, including 3D modelling, volume analysis and the tools used in the industry.
EoC 3: Responsible for Engineering Activities
Between November 2004 to December 2007, I worked in the North-East Region of
Afghanistan as the Regional Engineer for United Nation Office for project Services
(UNOPS). During this period, I was involved in Design and construction of 8 district centre
roads in thought out North-East region of Afghanistan. I was the team leader for technical,
logistical and Administrative matters. The donor of the programme was USAID and projects
were delivered according to American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASTHO) standards and Ministry of Public Work (MoPW) Afghanistan. Project
focused on development of internal roads network and drainage structures in city canters
using DBST and Concrete pavements construction. Enhance the efficiency of internal road
network, appearance, positive environmental aspect by avoiding dust and mud during the
different weather condition were some of the output expectation of these projects. These road
projects were very challenging due to remoteness of locations and lack of experience of
contractors.
During the first month in this project, I performed community and stakeholders
consulting for the projects. I acquired data of the topographical survey that was completed by
the third party. Based on these data design that were performed by road design team of
UNOPS head office in Kabul according to AASTHO, MoPW standard. It took nearly year to
finalise the design in Kabul office due to limited design resources and final approval from
USAID. When I received the preliminary design, I reviewed them to identify potential issues
and recommend necessary adjustments for some sub projects. UNOPS programme manager
delegated me more responsibilities to amend the design as per site requirements, due to my
local knowledge, previous involvement in the design work and data collection. I noticed that
there were some locations that were needed to be revised to contain the construction works
within the right of way. Moreover some other developments implemented by another
implementation agency without proper coordination with municipality officers were clash
with our original design due to design delay. I recognised that there were a few adjustments
that needed to be done through a quite complex process to resolve, including re-community
consultation and assessment of construction delay and cost implications.
The procedure I followed during the design revision included following steps.
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 Firstly, I amended the geometric design of the district centre to suit the present site
conditions. During this step, I consulted and sought advice from the city municipality,
local community, government officers, regional USAID representative and other
relevant stakeholders.
 I prepared a short report, including community consultation outcomes, a risk
assessment and cost variations. I also documented the field notes and design
calculations for each proposed design change and modified the designed drawing as
required.
 Then, I forwarded the final revised drawings, report and supporting information to the
senior design Engineer for his final comments and approval.
 The proposed changes were accepted by the programme manager subjected to a few
changes.
I took more responsibilities of these changes as head office team and was busy with
another 6 regions of Afghanistan to ensure my projects starts on time. I got the soft copies of
AutoCAD drawings and did necessary changes by myself. I ensured maximum utilisation of
fund allocation of each subproject. Scope changes of some projects save some money and I
moved this money to provide additional cover drain slabs with in the city limits.
I obtained necessary templates, documents from Kabul Office and completed the
BOQ for all sub projects with regional team. I ensured and reviewed all quantities myself
before finalising BOQ. I prepared all tender documents according to UN procurement
guideline and got approval from procurement department. I performed tendering processes
with my regional team and evaluated bids as per procurement guidelines. Evaluation process
was little bit complicated as it was needed to be complied with both UN procurement
guidelines and some donors interest. Donor, USAID wanted to award all jobs for local
contractor and ban any bituminous product or construction materials from Iraq. Mostly
bituminous product comes to Afghanistan from Iraq as it share borders with Afghanistan. So
I took advice from procurement department in order to comply with USAID requirements
and our procurement guidelines. I managed to get approval for selected contractor with in the
approved time lines and budget without significant problem. We started the projects on time
and manage to complete them as per USAID and UN financial discipline guideline. I
managed to complete the projects in advance, on budget with various challenges such as
incompetent local contractor, volatile security and natural calamities such as flood in several
district centres.
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EoC 4: Develop safe and sustainable solution
Claim 1
I had completed the South Australia general construction induction CPCCOHS1001
with TAFE SA. This training is required for anyone who wants to visit or work on site and in
the construction industry. It outlined me the general workplace health and safety
requirements for all work on site, and an appreciation of safety requirements required within
my design. I had also completed site specific and internal safety inductions such as Fortescue
Metals Group Ltd (FMG) rail induction for Solomon rail spur project and Hansen Yuncken
site induction for new Royal Adelaide Hospital project etc. Moreover I had completed
RIIWHS205D and RIIWHS302D, traffic control and implementing the traffic management
plans.
From June 2012 to Jan 2013, I worked in Solomon rail spur project for Lucas Total
contract solution (LTCS) as a project engineer. One of my main responsibilities was to ensure
that adequate safety and environmental protection measures were in place. Whenever I
observed or was reported of any kind of safety or environmental issues, I immediately
advised the Site safety coordinator to provide adequate measures at the earliest possible
within the in place hazard reporting structure with supporting information, including
photographs, to take appropriate actions as per the project safety guideline. Any failure to
abide by safety and environmental requirements was considered very seriously in this project.
The project involved extensive earthworks with 0.2 m – 2.5 m rail embankment
construction across traditional aboriginal land. Even though LTCS placed plastic barricading
tapes alone the railway alignment, I noticed that the people were trespassing the barricades
often. This raised a serious safety concern with heavy machineries' moving at the site. I
discussed this matter with site safety officers to established adequate signage. Moreover, I
paid attention to educate the community with community lesson programme and reviewed the
adequate safety crossing across the railway aliments. I further discussed this matter with
safety coordinator with hazard report and explained the need of an appropriate measure to
protect local people from potential hazards. Later, LTCS installed warning signs and installed
plastic barriers, temporary fences at some critical sections
All construction works had to be confirmed to the Handbook of Environment Control
(HEC), to the approved environmental management plan of Client, Fortescue Metals Group
(FMG). I ensured that adequate silt control measures were in place as per the HEC, to prevent
adjacent lands from siltation. I realised that there was a risk of siltation in the event that the
top layer of the embankment fill left un-compacted overnight, particularly when rain occurs
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during the same night. I discussed this issue with the site manager to arrange adequate
compaction of the topmost layer before works are done for the day or avoid laying of material
at the end of the day to control siltation. These actions ensured that the short and long-term
environmental impacts from the construction works on adjoining lands were minimal.
Throughout my involvement in this project, I ensured that I follow Safety Manual for
the project that conformed Health and Safety and requirements in General Conditions of
Contract, whenever I was on the site. For example, I ensured that I wear Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) all the time and had a bottle of water, a first aid kit and emergency flashing
lights in my site vehicle.
Claim 02
From March 2001 to October 2004, I worked as a Civil Engineer on Tekong Island
Development project for Toa Corporation in Singapore. One of my responsibilities was to
ensure that adequate safety and environmental protection measures were in place as per the
design; some soft grounds were treated before placing, by any geo-textile materials as fillers
to increase the bearing capacity. I observed that these geo-textile materials got unloaded at
many locations and were exposed to direct sunlight. From my previous experience, I
recognised that this had adversely affected the properties of geo-textile materials. From the
manufacturer's given specifications, I found that these materials should not be exposed to
direct sunlight for more than 72 hours as they would lose their properties due to contact with
UV rays. I discussed this with geotextile sub-contractor and requested to follow the
manufacturer's specifications which was supported by sub-contractor as I was right. Thus, I
advised the sub-contractor to take immediate actions to protect the materials from direct
sunlight on site, and also ensured that these materials were covered immediately by a layer of
construction material after its laid. Along with, I also issued a Site visit to the Contractor to
comply with given instructions and specifications in handling geo-textile materials at all the
sites.
Later, I noticed that there were some instances that the Contractor was not following in
regard to mis handling of geo-textile materials. In some cases, it was also reported that
materials had been exposed to direct sunlight for more than a week. I raised this matter with
my Project Manager and instructed the sub-Contractor to replace those with new set of
materials without charging additional costs with the Client. It impacted progress of the
geotextile installation, but this action was necessary to achieve the sustainable construction
works.
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EoC 5: Engage with the relevant community and stakeholders
Between November 2004 and December 2007, I worked in the North-East Region of
Afghanistan as a Regional Engineer for United Nation Office for project Services (UNOPS).
I encountered with many negative experiences from previous projects in the same region
because of interferences by local communities and authorities during the implementation
stage. This caused delays, variations in project and created dissatisfaction among donors for
the annual financial planning. Sometimes the local communities which were led by powerful
ex-combated local soldier and commanders challenged the project scope, security and safety
with questionable remarks on contractor and project staff. Therefore, I discussed this matter
with my program manager and built new strategy to deal with such problems for the next
construction project in coming years. We built a 24.5 km Imma Sahib Connector road,
linking two district centres to the main National Highway of this region and the road corridor
runs through paddy fields and farming areas.
During the planning of designing stage, I assigned two national engineers to interact
with the Community Consultant under my direction. I requested him to establish 4
community groups along the road corridor to get their opinions, views for the proposed
development. The leaders of these community groups were powerful and influential and well
connected with local elders. They assured smooth running of the project and provided
security to all project mates. We listened to the queries of the local farming community in the
presence of all the leaders and involved community groups, who requested to build around 12
new and upgraded culverts. Then I communicated these details with local irrigation
authorities and municipal councils to finalise the scope. Later I received confirmation from
relevant stake holders for important aspects of the project such as irrigation structures along-
with the mapping of road corridors. I was provided with clear design briefings for road design
team in UNOPS, Kabul Office. These community groups were well recognised at all the
important events throughout the projects. They organised the inauguration and opening
ceremonies of the project with the patronage of local politicians and authorities. Moreover, I
introduced them to another UN environment program to obtain some fundings and resources
to promote plantation of trees along the road corridor.
Due to lack of maintenance budget with local governments, we noted maintenance of
the road would be challenging in the future. Therefore, I established a maintenance strategy
with the community group under my programme manager's consultation. UNOPS established
a maintenance fund, managed by the community group leaders by focusing on the future
maintenance. Most of the unskilled labourers were employed in the project through these
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community groups and 5 % of their incomes were absorbed in the community fund.
Moreover, they were given 10% of local lease income from the lands allocated for the project
such as site camp, project office and borrow areas. I have discussed these matters in advance
with the Programme Supporting Officer and procurement department as well. It was included
in the project contract under special conditions to comply with the procurement guidelines.
Project run was very smooth with minimum disturbances from the community. I was always
convinced about the benefits of the Regional Road Programme such as employment
generation, environmental friendly approach and socio economic aspects of this project in
receiving positive support. Local communities were happy with their ownership and overall
participation of the project to bring employment opportunities.
At the end of the project, UNOPS conducted a workshop for road maintenance with
the leaders of local community groups, Local government officers and Ministry of public
work representatives. They stressed on the importance of proper maintenance use of
community fund, technical knowledge and information of road maintenance. The community
engagement of this project was very successful and it was used as a role model to similar
projects in different regions. Regional representative of USAID (Doner of the project) was
invited for the opening ceremony of the road project. I was convinced about the success of
my team's community strategies that were used to complete it. The Regional representative
was very happy with the positive community engagement and assured more fundings for
community based future projects.
As a part of security assessment, I communicated with United Nations Mine Action
Service (UNMAS) to acquire the mine clearance for most of the road projects. Imam Sabib
road corridor was heavily contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Moreover, I communicated very clearly with appropriate channels such as local, governors,
government officers, local community leaders to get the details of mine contamination of
barrow areas and road segments. I also managed to get de mining clearance well ahead of the
construction with proper coordination between the required stakeholders.
During the project execution stages, I prepared monthly progress reports, financial
reports, security assessment reports and shared these documents with UNOPS programme
manager and USAID offices to keep them in the picture of project movement. In addition to
that, I regularly engaged with my top management and other stake holders via emails, letters
and phone-calls regarding the regional project related matters. I attended and represented the
updates of UNOPS regional operations in the annual UNOPS regional conference. This was
presented by the UNOPS top management, donors’ representatives and other regional
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engineers of UNOPS. I presented the annual progress review of ongoing legacy projects and
upcoming project status of my region in the meeting with PowerPoint media.
EoC 6: Identify, assess and manage risk
Between November 2004 and December 2008, I worked at the United Nations Office
for Project Service as a Regional Engineer for North East Region in Afghanistan. During this
period, I was involved in Imam Sahib Connector road project in Kunduz province. Not only
this project, I have maintained the risk registers for my all sub-projects. I always identified,
assessed and managed risks for all my projects with my team's consultation. I maintained and
reviewed the risk registers regularly throughout projects with the details of ownership and
mitigation measures by ensuring about the residual risks as acceptable. Imam Sahib
connector road project was associated with various types of risks mainly security,
geographical conditions, lack of capacity of contractor and weather.
Due to volatile security situation of the area, we made the security plan for the project
under the consultation of project's security advisor. I maintained good relationships with
regional security coordinators to get updated information of regional security about project.
Before commencing the construction, I co-ordinated with United Nation Mine Action Service
(UNMAS) to acquire the mine clearance for road corridor and barrow areas of the project.
For each team site visit, we obtained the security clearance from UN security main regional
department and complied with their requirements such as regular radio communication, bullet
proof vehicles, more than one car convoy at all the time etc. Contractor was advised to keep
us informed regarding any development at site to maintain good relationships with local
community leaders, police and government officers. We received excellent support from 3
community groups during the progression of Project belt. We did not face any major security
related incident during the project's implementation and it led to minimum impact on the
overall progress. Therefore, our initiative was to identify, access and manage the security
risks of the project which was reviewed on commendable levels.
The Contractor had planned to commence works from two ends of the project and
moved progressively towards the middle. Their intention was to commence construction of
twin irrigation culverts when they reached the locations along the road trace. Though the
Contractor originally planned to commence earthworks before rainy season, there were many
issues that delayed the work. The Contractor was planning to increase resources to catch up
with the lost progress, but it was already monsoon before commencement of earthworks. I
realised that there was a risk in achieving the progress due to weather conditions and might
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