Case Studies - Forensic Engineering

Raymond Arnold went to work that morning not knowing that his life would be changed forever. Just before lunchtime, an industrial accident on a high-speed fabrication machine would cost him the use of his right hand.

A search for the truth: the workplace injury

Inevitably, the question arose: Who was at fault? Was it the manufacturer of the fabrication device Raymond was using? There was no guard or safety switch on the machine - perhaps there should have been.

Was it the employer's fault, for not training the machine operators about safe operating practices? Yet, the machine had a number of operators, and thus far none had been injured by this machine. Or, was it Raymond's own fault? Had he cut corners, failed to follow standard safety procedures as instructed?

Integrated Consultants was asked to provide an impartial opinion. We performed an exhaustive series of interviews, with Raymond and other operators of the machine, as well as Raymond's supervisor and representatives of the company who designed and marketed the machine. We analyzed the performance of the machine, and alternative design and safety approaches.

Our opinion was that the machine designers had failed to anticipate the inherent risks of operating their machine. The expert testimony provided by Integrated Consultants was instrumental in the worker's case. The judgment was in favor of Raymond Arnold.

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