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Supporting the inspection and insurance industries

BES is SOE's group for those who work as engineer surveyors, which is a specialist role within operations engineering. Originally part of the Institution of Plant Engineers, pre-merger, BES was formed as a separate SOE sector, which currently serves around 1,200 SOE members and provides knowledge and professionalisation support to the insurance and inspection industry. We welcome engineers from large insurance firms, small independent inspection companies, those with specialised consultancy skills, and everyone in-between.

The BES Professional Sector Council (PSC) provides a forum for the industry to meet and take forward important issues. It includes representation from other important industry bodies such as SAFed and INITA, and works to ensure safe working across inspection.

Some of the issues the PSC is currently working on are:
  • Making representations to ensure the IEng standard remains an attainable benchmark for Engineer Surveyors
  • Providing SOE's input to relevant BSI standards
  • Supporting a new Trailblazer Apprenticeship in Engineer Surveying
What makes an Engineer Surveyor?

The Engineer Surveyor role is ‘hands-on’ job, requiring practical experience, technical ability, strong customer communication skills and the confidence to make professional judgements. They are responsible for insurance and safety inspections across a range of machinery and equipment, including:

  • Lift Equipment
  • Crane Equipment
  • Pressure Equipment
  • Power Press/Hazardous Machinery
  • Electrical equipment/Installations
  • Local Exhaust Ventilation

Engineer surveyors may be called in before a piece of equipment is signed off for usage, during maintenance or refurbishment, or to investigate equipment failure. Members who join SOE can affiliate themselves to the BES sector, and benefit from tailored events, as well as the latest information in Operations Engineer magazine, delivered to them monthly.

Ready to take the next step?

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BES Events
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Lorry Loader Cranes: Design, Regulation and Standards
Join us for a hybrid event with Keith Silvester, Technical Manager of ALLMI, as he shares insights on lorry loader design, regulation and standards, including safety system developments and thorough examination requirements under LOLER.
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Alternative fuels and their uses in a range of vehicles
Join IRTE Scottish Ayrshire for an insightful presentation by QTS, specialists in rail engineering, in which they will look at the application of alternative fuels.
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TH WHITE / Palfinger Cranes
Join IRTE Wilthsire as speaker Andy Chase shares an overview of the 190-year history of the diverse T H WHITE company, along with insights into their UK franchise for Palfinger Cranes, focusing on truck-mounted cranes, hook loaders, and skip loaders.

Find and book events

 


Are you a UK IPlantE or BES member who may need financial help? Click here to find out more.