12VAC5-613 (Protection of Public Health, Safety, and Welfare)
VSPE has been working with Richard L. Blackwell III, P.E. on the proposed changes (please see comments submitted by Mr. Blackwell) to the regulation (12VAC5-613). VSPE supports these efforts to improve the regulations in order to offer greater protection to public health while still offering the necessary flexibility for designs to be efficient and cost effective. In addition to the technical changes to the proposed regulations, it is important that the regulations reflect the requirement that a licensed professional engineer is utilized when the practice of engineering is involved.
The Code of Virginia has a broad definition for the “practice of engineering” and has defined it to mean any service wherein the principles and methods of engineering are applied to, but are not necessarily limited to, the following areas: consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning and design of public or private utilities, structures, machines, equipment, processes, transportation systems and work systems. This broad definition helps ensure any work that employs the principles and method of engineering are to be regulated in order to best protect the health, safety, and welfare of Virginians.
These issues directly impact the level of protection that should be given to the health, safety, and welfare of Virginians. Since these are sensitive and critical issues, VSPE is willing to provide support to help with these regulations. VSPE is willing to meet, provide work sessions, etc. to ensure the most appropriate regulations are implemented, which provide reasonable procedures and system requirements that protect the health and safety of the public.
