What is the purpose of checking another engineer’s work?

Checking ensures the design is safe, compliant, and technically sound. It may be required for major projects, regulations, or when concerns arise.

What ethical duties apply when reviewing another engineer’s design?

Engineers must act professionally, avoid harming reputations, remain impartial, and comply with the IStructE Code of Conduct.

What should be included in the scope of a design check?

The scope may include technical checks, documentation review, health and safety assessments, and buildability considerations.

How should communication with the original engineer be handled?

Dialogue should be collaborative, respectful, and fully documented. The original engineer should normally be informed of the review.

🔍 Checking the Work of Another Engineer: Professional Guidance for Structural Engineers

Structure Pedia

Aug 15

3 min read

Reviewing another engineer’s design is one of the most sensitive and technically demanding responsibilities in structural engineering. Whether the review is part of a major project’s quality assurance process or triggered by concerns over a design, the checking engineer must approach the task with professionalism, impartiality, and ethical clarity.

This blog summarises key guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers’ Business Practice Note, offering practical insights for engineers undertaking design checks.

1️⃣ Understanding the Purpose of a Design Review

A design review may be required for several reasons:

As part of a major project’s standard design process
To comply with regulations or local standards
To address concerns raised about an existing design
To meet requirements in sectors such as highways, rail, or temporary works

The note highlights that BS 5975:2019 defines categories of design checks for temporary works, and many infrastructure sectors require independent design verification.

Importantly, this guidance does not apply to internal QA checks, expert witness work, or reviews conducted during legal proceedings.

2️⃣ Competence & Conflicts of Interest

Before accepting an appointment, engineers must ensure:

They are competent in the specific field of engineering
They have the appropriate staff and resources
They have no conflicts of interest with the design team

A perceived conflict can undermine the credibility of the review.

3️⃣ Ethical Responsibilities

The checking engineer must act with integrity, fairness, and professionalism. The IStructE Code of Conduct requires engineers to:

Act ethically
Accept only tasks they are competent to perform
Avoid conflicts of interest
Not injure another engineer’s reputation maliciously or recklessly

The document states:

“The check and review must be undertaken professionally and factually, so as not intentionally to damage the reputation of the original designer.”

In most cases, the original engineer should be informed that a review is taking place.

4️⃣ Remaining Impartial

The checking engineer must remain independent and avoid any behaviour that could be interpreted as attempting to replace the original designer. If later appointed to take over the design, impartiality during the review may be questioned.

5️⃣ Defining the Scope of Work

A clear scope is essential. The review may include:

Technical design checks
Contract documentation
Health and safety risk assessments
Buildability considerations

The checking engineer must warn the original engineer and client of any health and safety issues discovered — even if not explicitly included in the scope.

The note emphasises:

“The checking engineer should not exceed their scope of work… unless their scope of work says otherwise, the job… is normally only to check the design and report on it.”

6️⃣ Liability & Professional Indemnity

The checking engineer must ensure:

Appropriate professional indemnity insurance
Liability is limited to the checking work performed
Fitness‑for‑purpose obligations are excluded

Fitness‑for‑purpose clauses are rarely covered by PI insurance and can be inadvertently adopted in design‑and‑build projects.

7️⃣ Communication With the Original Engineer

With client approval, the checking engineer should establish dialogue with the original designer. This helps:

Clarify assumptions
Obtain missing information
Understand design rationale
Resolve issues collaboratively

The note stresses the importance of record‑keeping:

“All meetings, phone calls, emails… should be carefully recorded… and circulated.”

8️⃣ Producing the Report

The final report must be:

Factual
Professional
Free from hearsay
Clear about missing information
Explicit about unresolved issues

All issues raised, discussions, and resolutions should be logged — often using a spreadsheet to track progress.

The report should be sent only to the client, unless instructed otherwise.

🔎 Final Thoughts

Checking another engineer’s work is a responsibility that demands technical competence, ethical behaviour, impartiality, and clear communication.

This practice strengthens the industry, improves safety, and supports the collaborative spirit essential to structural engineering.