Engineering losses are perhaps the most complex to categorise, ranging as they do from mechanical breakdown to product liability, and from structural failures to electrical malfunctions.
We are experienced in investigating losses in many complex incidents ranging from mechanical, electrical, transport, power, and chemical and process engineering.
TYPES OF ENGINEERING
Chemical Engineering and Process
Engineering are essentially interchangeable terms, whether it is engineering chemistry to make a desired product on the industrial scale for example a pharmaceutical drug or a beer or simply process materials for some beneficial purpose for example in water treatment or renewable power generation.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
With the prevalence of electrical and electronic devices in the modern world there is considerable scope for failures to occur. These can range from the failure of a single electronic component to failure of multi-megawatt power plants.
Our electrical experts are qualified electrical engineers, familiar with a wide range of electrical machines and devices, with real world design and test experience. We also have detailed knowledge of building services, installation methods, servicing regimes and relevant guidance and standards, such as the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671.
If you are dealing with an electrical failure and want to know what has caused it and how to prevent the same thing happening again, you need a forensic investigator. Hawkins can provide an expert who can be familiar with all aspects of a case and can offer clarity and answers to your questions.
MARINE ENGINEERING
The maritime and offshore engineering industry encompasses a wide range of disciplines and any incidents or losses can be complex in nature.
With a team of qualified engineers and scientists, Hawkins can provide a forensic expert who can investigate a broad range of incidents. Where required we can also provide a multi-disciplinary team where an investigation requires various expertise.
RAILWAY
Railway accidents are comparatively rare but their consequences can be very severe, involving many injuries and loss of life. A high speed crash or derailment is inevitably very high profile in the media and can cause disruption to transport links for many weeks. The nature of the equipment involved often means that even 'minor' incidents can have significant operational and financial consequences.
We have investigated incidents such as:
Derailments
Collisions with objects on the track
Collisions with vehicles on level crossings
Potential inadequate maintenance of track and rolling stock
Mechanical failure of the permanent way and rolling stock
Fires on trains and in the load on trains
Hawkins has the expertise to investigate all types of incidents and has been involved in the investigations of high profile incidents such as:
Potters Bar
Selby
Hatfield
Ladbroke Grove
Tebay