There are many challenges currently facing the Mining, Oil and Gas and Utilities industries in Queensland. A shortage of skilled workers is leading to inflated wages, health and safety incidents affect operations and rising taxes, and government royalties are increasing operational costs.
In addition to these developments the Australian Government is placing greater emphasis on enforcing regulations compliance. One example of this is Queensland’s Professional Engineers Act which requires that all non-standard engineering designs for project works within the State be approved and signed off by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ).
This legislative requirement was introduced by the State Government to protect the public by ensuring that all professional engineering services are provided by a registered engineer in a professional and competent way, and to uphold the standards of practice of registered professional engineers. The penalties for non-compliance for both individuals and employers are severe and can be as high as $110,000 for a single incident.*
Although ICT systems typically represent less than 2% of a project’s total budget it is nonetheless considered an engineered system which is typically a fit-for-purpose design that must be signed off by an RPEQ. This requirement comes as no surprise given these systems are beginning to support business and safety critical systems like autonomous process plants, emergency radio services and tele-protection systems.
As part of the Queensland Government regulation, an RPEQ is only authorised to approve designs in the areas of engineering for which they have been accredited. ICT systems fall into the category of Information Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering (ITEE) meaning an RPEQ accredited in ITEE discipline can only sign off on the design.
A growing number of organisations are realising that implementing intelligent ICT systems can increase production, reduce operational expenditure and improve safety. By adhering to a policy that the engineers who design or supervise the design of ICT systems are RPEQ accredited assures the quality of the delivered designs and its compliance with Queensland state legislation.
Titan ICT believe in designing fit-for-purpose ICT systems using a dynamic plan to provide peace of mind, and a strategic implementation approach to ensure value for money. Titan ICT’s engineers have extensive knowledge of leading-edge communication and IT technologies and have the practical experience and intellectual know-how in designing communications systems for the Mining, Oil and Gas and Utilities sectors. Of course, all our designs are approved and signed off by an RPEQ to ensure our Client’s projects are fully compliant with state regulations.
By engaging Titan ICT to assist you with the design of your critical ICT systems, the following benefits will delivered while at the same time allowing you to focus on your core business.
• Reduced Project Risk
• Quality Assured Designs
• Queensland Legislative and Regulatory Compliance
Titan ICT has a team of RPEQ accredited engineers and has delivered RPEQ approved communications system designs to a number of Resources and Utilities organisations. If you would like to know more on how the RPEQ affects your communications project, contact Mike Ryan from our Queensland office for a free consultation.
* based on the current value of $110 per Penalty Unit