AZASSP May Technical Meeting FY23

Topic: The Do’s and Musts of Incident Investigation – Tales of a Forensic Construction Engineering Expert

Learning Objectives
This presentation will provide the following takeaways:
1. The importance of orientation, quantification, and timing in photographs, witness statements, and
incident reports.
2. How to create and evidence a culture of safety.
3. “If it’s not written, it never happened. If it is written, it doesn’t matter what happened.”

Abstract: “History is the certainty produced at the point where the imperfection of memory meets the inadequacies of documentation.” Industry Safety Standards prescribe investigative steps to comply with OSHA, Workmen’s Compensation, and other governing requirements. However, compliance with these minimum standards, only, oftentimes creates a tale of uncertainty in which construction forensic experts must unravel in order to determine compliance with the standard of care. What happens post-incident when litigation ensues? Will your standard practice for observation, investigation, evaluation, and documentation lend to the appropriate interpolation? Follow a construction forensic expert through the journey of two (or more?) incident investigations. Learn from others how the most negligible omitted investigative detail creates the greatest ambiguity in the eyes of a judge, jury, or trier of fact. Join us for a collaborative presentation on converting minimum standards to best practice in construction incident investigation and documentation.

Bio: Chantell is a partner at the forensic engineering and consulting firm Ward Cornett & Associates. Chantell has over 20 years’ experience in the world of construction forensics, representing contractors in disputes related to contract negotiation, job site injury, defect allegations, extra-work claims, default termination, delay claims, forensic cost accounting, among other construction-related claims.
Chantell is presently completing (Spring 2023) a Masters in Construction and Structural Engineering (M.S.E.) with an emphasis on Materials Science at Arizona State University in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering. Chantell will sit for her Professional Engineering fundamental exams in 2023.
Chantell holds an Arizona KB-2 Dual General Contractor license and maintains safety certifications with both the National Safety Council and OSHA. Chantell sits on several boards in the community: (1) the Arizona Board of Technical Registration; (2) the Arizona State University Engineering Department Academic Integrity Board; (3) the ASTM Committee on Forensic Engineering Standards; (4) the ASCE Committees on both Forensic Engineering and Forensic Investigations. Chantell is also a certified fire and explosion investigator (CFEI), certified estimator, and holds NRMCA certification for concrete and ready-mix plant and fleet inspections. Chantell regularly presents at construction, engineering, and safety conferences throughout the United States. Chantell also instructs as adjunct faculty at both the Arizona State University Department of Engineering and University of Washington, Seattle. When not speaking or teaching, Chantell provides expert witness and forensic engineering consulting services. An undergraduate of the University of Washington, Seattle – Chantell’s Pac-12 allegiance remains with her alma mater – Woof!