--- title: "Slippery floor injures consultant engineers" subject: "Engineering Professional Practice" chapter: 7 key: "semester_8/engineering_professional_practice:slippery-floor-injury-blame" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/slippery-floor-injury-blame site: BCT Engineering --- # Slippery floor injures consultant engineers Engineering Professional Practice · Chapter 7: Case Studies based on Engineering Practices - Asked in: year not given - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/slippery-floor-injury-blame - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/chapter-7 ## Question Both Mr. Shyam Lal and Ram Lal, consultant engineers, slipped on the floor of the building during their inspection visit, which was under construction, causing serious injury. During investigation it was revealed that the floor was not constructed as per design and specification making it slippery. The flooring work was subcontracted to Mr. Hari on Mr. Shyam Lal's recommendation. Who is to blame? Give reasons. ## Short answer Principal blame lies with sub-contractor Hari for building the floor contrary to design and with the main contractor for defective work and unsafe site control. Shyam Lal shares blame for recommending Hari and failing to supervise; Ram Lal's blame depends on his supervisory duties. Contributory negligence of the injured may reduce compensation. ## Answer #### Facts Two consultant engineers, Shyam Lal and Ram Lal, slipped and were seriously injured on a floor that was built differently from the design and specification, so it was slippery. The flooring work was subcontracted to Mr. Hari on Shyam Lal's recommendation. #### Analysis of responsibility | Party | Reason | |---|---| | Mr. Hari (sub-contractor) | Directly built the floor not as per design and specification (wrong finish or materials). Primary fault for the defective work. | | Main contractor | Responsible under the contract for all sub-contracted work, for quality control, and for a safe site. The sub-contractor's default is the contractor's default towards the client. As the occupier controlling the site, it also owes a duty of care to visitors. | | Shyam Lal | Recommended the sub-contractor. A consultant should not select or push a sub-contractor for the contractor, since this is the contractor's choice with the client's approval. If he had any relation or interest with Hari, it is a conflict of interest. He also failed to check the flooring work as supervisor, though it was his duty. He bears a share of the blame, mainly for lack of supervision and the inappropriate recommendation. | | Ram Lal | If he was also responsible for supervision, there was a failure to detect and reject the wrong work earlier. If he is only a visitor, he is simply a victim. | | Injured engineers themselves | Contributory negligence if they went on a wet or unfinished floor without care or protective footwear, or ignored warning signs. This reduces the compensation, but does not remove the contractor's liability. | #### Apportioning the blame The principal blame is on the sub-contractor Hari and the main contractor, who are liable in contract and in tort (negligence and occupier's liability) and may have to pay compensation for the injuries. Shyam Lal shares the blame to the extent that he recommended the sub-contractor and neglected supervision; the part of Ram Lal depends on his duties. Any contributory negligence of the injured should be assessed separately. #### Lessons - Do not recommend or impose sub-contractors, and declare any relationship. - Inspect and approve the work stage by stage, and reject non-conforming work before the finish is complete. - The contractor should provide a safe site, warning signs and personal protective equipment, and insure the workers and visitors. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Who bears the principal blame for the slippery floor built not as per design and specification? A. The injured engineers only B. The sub-contractor Hari and the main contractor C. The client alone D. The designer of the floor Answer: B. Hari built the defective floor, and the main contractor is responsible under the contract for sub-contracted work, quality and site safety. (Key point: Sub-contractor and contractor liability) 2. Why does Shyam Lal share part of the blame? A. He slipped first B. He designed the floor C. He recommended the sub-contractor, which is the contractor's choice, and failed to supervise the flooring work D. He did not wear a helmet Answer: C. A consultant should not select or push a sub-contractor, and he also neglected his duty to check the flooring. (Key point: Shyam Lal's share) 3. If the injured engineers ignored warning signs or walked carelessly on the floor, what is the effect? A. The contractor is fully freed from liability B. Compensation is reduced but the contractor's liability remains C. The injured must pay for the repair D. Nothing changes at all Answer: B. Contributory negligence reduces compensation but does not remove the contractor's liability. (Key point: Contributory negligence) 4. How is Ram Lal's blame decided? A. He is always equally blamed as Shyam Lal B. He is never blamed C. It depends on whether he also had supervision duties D. He is blamed only if Hari is his relative Answer: C. If he also supervised, he failed to detect wrong work; if only a visitor, he is simply a victim. (Key point: Ram Lal's position) ## Related in Engineering Professional Practice - [Building near river bank; stop construction?](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Abuilding-on-river-bank-flood) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 7 - [Unpaid sub-contractor beaten by labourers](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Asubcontractor-unpaid-labour-case) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 7 - [Engineers arrested for fake degrees](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Afake-degree-engineers-case) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 7 - [Bheri river suspension bridge collapse](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Abheri-suspension-bridge-collapse) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 7 - [Role of Nepal Engineers' Association](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Anea-role-golden-jubilee) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 3 ## Related in other subjects - [Consultant and quality of construction works](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aconsultant-role-quality) — Construction Management, chapter 1 - [Research article on engineers in nation-building](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aresearch-article-engineers-nation-building) — Communication English, chapter 10 - [Need for insurance during construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ainsurance-during-construction) — Construction Management, chapter 11 - [Construction of cement floor](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Acement-floor) — Building Technology, chapter 7