The award aims to highlight the role of the engineer surveyor in promoting safety in the workplace, and is given to a member of BES who best demonstrates a professional approach to their operation at the top end of the market. The winning engineer receives £500 in CPD sponsorship, and £500 in cash from award sponsor, the Safety Assessment Federation Ltd (SAFed).
Kevin Dunning IEng MSOE MIPlantE MBES was chosen as this year’s winner due to his commitment to continuous professional improvement, and to coaching and mentoring developing professionals.
“I thoroughly enjoy being an engineer surveyor,” he says. “It’s a great job and I work with some fantastic engineers, many of whom have helped me progress in my career. I visit some really unusual sites and meet some interesting clients. Examining the unusual or new is a stimulating part of what I do.”
“When I joined Allianz [in 2003], my main focus was to develop quickly into a very effective and respected engineer surveyor,” he explains. Coordinating a cell of nine people, Kevin is responsible for maintaining compliance and safety on behalf of clients and the general public, and works closely with clients to improve the use of rescue equipment for vessel entry.
“I have been involved in the investigation of issues including equipment failure, accidents, re-commissioning inspections, and report content queries. I arrange site visits with operators, local engineers, health and safety managers, and company directors, during which I gather evidence, speak to witnesses, take photographic evidence, and inspect the items involved. Based on what I find, I formulate my conclusions and prepare a written report. I complete training reports for new and existing surveyors, liaising with managers regarding the content and potential follow on activities.”
Kevin also works with clients to efficiently manage their inspection program by ensuring data bases are maintained, audit processes are effective, and the client can be self-sufficient following delivery of training on electronic report access. With a focus on budget control, he also supports clients with uprating some of their lifting equipment, which includes deflection calculation in line with British Standards, witness load testing and re-certification.
“I take pride in my role as an Engineer Surveyor and the part I play in ensuring full compliance for our clients, and continuous improvement of safety levels in the workplace,” explains Kevin, who is known to regularly promote the engineering surveying profession outside the workplace. “I get satisfaction from carrying out a thorough examination, and knowing that people can do their jobs while the equipment they work with is in a safe condition.”
“Kevin has become a reference point for his peers within our business, and to industry colleagues. He demonstrates pride and excellence in his role,” says Ben Chunsi, regional technical and operations manager for Allianz.
Keen to raise the status of engineer surveyors throughout the UK, Kevin is keen for engineer surveyors to be regarded as part of any client’s internal compliance team. “We bring knowledge, compliance experience, and health & safety awareness from the whole of UK industry,” he says. “Despite the progress I’ve made so far in my own career, I feel that the status associated with being recognised by this award will allow me to have greater influence within Allianz, and within the engineering inspection industry in the UK.”