Mechanical Field with Minimal Regulation
Mechanical Field with Minimal Regulation
(OP)
I am interested to know which industry fielding mechanical engineers would have the least regulatory oversight.
The university I attended was very heavy on theory and taught absolutely nothing with regard to laws, rules, standards, etc. It makes sense that this would not be taught from a science standpoint because I am finding many standards have errors and are born of misperceptions. Laws are even worse in that they are so influenced by politics. An inspector can come on a job, spout some nonsense, and hold up the schedule until we pour through thousands of pages of rules and regulations to prove them wrong. The worst is when the requirement is totally made up, they can't cite the source, but retain the power cost us time and money. Once proven wrong, there seems to be no way to hold them accountable for losses.
I've been in engineering for 15 years, licensed for 9, and frankly, I am tired of playing discount lawyer to fight incompetent regulatory inspectors who like to play discount engineer.
Can anyone recommend an industry where an engineer can focus on engineering or do I need to get out all together?
The university I attended was very heavy on theory and taught absolutely nothing with regard to laws, rules, standards, etc. It makes sense that this would not be taught from a science standpoint because I am finding many standards have errors and are born of misperceptions. Laws are even worse in that they are so influenced by politics. An inspector can come on a job, spout some nonsense, and hold up the schedule until we pour through thousands of pages of rules and regulations to prove them wrong. The worst is when the requirement is totally made up, they can't cite the source, but retain the power cost us time and money. Once proven wrong, there seems to be no way to hold them accountable for losses.
I've been in engineering for 15 years, licensed for 9, and frankly, I am tired of playing discount lawyer to fight incompetent regulatory inspectors who like to play discount engineer.
Can anyone recommend an industry where an engineer can focus on engineering or do I need to get out all together?
I used to count sand. Now I don't count at all.
RE: Mechanical Field with Minimal Regulation
Liability, yes, but I purposely design for failure, so that helps. There is a negative cash flow till one of your ideas beats the next guy. Then someone steals it. I guess the real pay is the test ride in a fast car.
RE: Mechanical Field with Minimal Regulation
RE: Mechanical Field with Minimal Regulation
Aside from that, I haven't experienced too many inspectors demanding things be done differently. There was one instance of an inspector instructing us to add a relief valve on a system that was protected by design; it was an annoyance but not a big deal.
RE: Mechanical Field with Minimal Regulation
On the other hand I've had good inspectors that picked up really important situations. They are really the last line of defense.
RE: Mechanical Field with Minimal Regulation
From an industry standpoint, building construction is by far the least regulated IME.
JMO but I wouldn't advertise the fact that you're ignoring a ton of safety and other regulation.
RE: Mechanical Field with Minimal Regulation
https://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/...
Obviously there are OH&S requirements, all shafts have to be guarded and no outrageously dangerous chemicals are used. You also have to be able to make it safely. But there's very little regulation and no inspections involved.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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