Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED

When Rana Plaza collapsed in Bangladesh killing over 1,200 garment workers in April 2013, two Irish engineers found themselves at the centre of literally redefining global worker safety standards. Aidan Madden from Arup and Colm Quinn, now Head of Operations for the International Accord, reveal how they developed "optimal ignorance" methodology assessing 2,500+ factories at unprecedented scale, why poor concrete quality and overdevelopment caused the tragedy, and how training local engineers to think about existing buildings (not blank-sheet designs) represents a universal engineering challenge. From paper-based inspections to iPad workflows managing 140,000 safety findings, discover the technical rigour behind transparent remediation programmes that fundamentally changed how engineers approach ethical practice in global supply chains. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTHow Rana Plaza's catastrophic collapse in April 2013 killed over 1,200 people from overdevelopment. Why Arup developed "optimal ignorance" methodology focusing exclusively on critical life-safety elements How the International Accord inspected over 2,000 Bangladesh factories identifying 140,000 individual health and safety findings, with 115,000 subsequently corrected Why training local engineers to assess existing buildings represents a universal engineering problem requiring mindset shifts beyond Asia-specific contextsHow digital workflows transformed paper-based inspections into scalable remediation programmes GUEST DETAILSAidan Madden is a Chartered Civil/Structural Engineer with over twenty years' experience at global firm Arup, leading complex, impactful projects worldwide. Following the catastrophic Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, Aidan became a pivotal member of Arup's leadership team developing and implementing structural safety assessment methodology for the original Bangladesh Accord. This monumental effort required creating standardised yet highly rigorous technical frameworks to rapidly assess structural integrity of over 2,500 garment factories—demanding first-principles engineering judgement at unprecedented speed and scale. His work proved instrumental in identifying and remediating high-risk structural, electrical and fire hazards, effectively codifying ethical engineering practice for an entire global industry. For his extraordinary contribution to safety and social responsibility through engineering, Aidan received the prestigious Engineers Ireland International Engineer of the Year Award.Colm Quinn is Head of Operations for the International Accord, a legally binding agreement focused on securing safe and healthy garment and textile industries worldwide. Leading implementation and operational rollout of Accord programmes across multiple countries including Pakistan expansion, Colm manages technical capacity-building initiatives training local engineers—structural, fire and electrical specialists—on rigorous safety standards necessary for factory inspections and remediation. Bringing strong high-level engineering foundations from previous work as Associate at global engineering firm Arup, Colm's career trajectory represents the crucial shift from developing pioneering safety frameworks to successfully scaling and sustaining them across global industries. His operational leadership ensures that technical rigour developed in Bangladesh translates effectively to new markets whilst empowering local engineering teams.Connect with the guests:Aidan Madden LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aidan-madden-91ab3a23Colm Quinn LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colm-g-quinnInternational Accord: internationalaccord.orgArup: arup.comMORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESThe fundamental problem was that a building which was designed to be a five story building, and by the time it collapsed in April of 2013 it was a nine storey building. So it had been overdeveloped. They had put on additional floors beyond what it had been designed for. You have a building which is heavier than it's supposed to be, and with concrete which is weaker than it should have been. - Aidan MaddenThere's kind of a bit of an art and a bit of science to this. We need to spend the time that we need to do the assessment, but we have to be able to do it at scale. A colleague of mine had a great phrase which we reused today: optimal ignorance. It's like, what do you really, really need to know to allow you to define the actions, to define the meaningful things that will happen after your visit to make those buildings safer. - Aidan MaddenThe programme is quite unique in that it's dealing with existing buildings. There's no code that I know where existing buildings are front and foremost. This is a problem not just in Asia. Engineers need to be retrained or refocused to deal with existing buildings. It's not a Bangladesh problem. It's not a Pakistan problem, it's an engineering problem - Colm QuinnThe Accord, combined with the RSC in Bangladesh, inspected over 2,000 factories and have identified over 140,000 individual health and safety findings, and of those, over 115,000 have been corrected. - Colm QuinnKEYWORDS#RanaPlaza #workersafety #InternationalAccord #structuralengineering #ethicalengineering

In this episode of Amplified, Dusty Rhodes is joined by Eamon Daly, Director at Egis Engineering Ireland, to explore the realities of delivering Ireland’s most vital infrastructure. From motorways and tunnels to Luas extensions and the future of MetroLink, Eamon shares stories from over 27 years in engineering. He explains the challenges of balancing deadlines, budgets, sustainability, and resources — while also highlighting the career opportunities for the next generation of engineers. Packed with insights on leadership, mentorship, and the future of transport in Ireland, this conversation offers a rare inside look at how critical national projects are brought to life. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How major road and transport projects in Ireland are planned, designed, and delivered Lessons from major infrastructure builds — Dublin Tunnel, Jack Lynch Tunnel, Luas, and MetroLink. Overcoming geotechnical challenges: peat, karst, and precision bridge engineering. Balancing deadlines, budgets, and sustainability on mega-projects. Resource challenges — why Ireland needs more engineers and international expertise. The value of mentorship, varied experience, and networking for career growth. Future-proofing skills: opportunities in transport, rail, and sustainable infrastructure.GUEST DETAILS Eamon Daly is a Director at Egis in Ireland and Barry Transportation - now Egis. Eamon has over 25 years' experience, specialising in Transportation and Traffic Engineering. Notable projects he has completed work on include Luas Finglas, N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom and N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin.MORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESSustainability needs to come into all projects – it’s business as usual now - Eamon Daly.Good mentorship is vital. You’re going to make mistakes, but there’s always a solution and it’s never as bad as you think - Eamon DalyIreland has great projects and mega projects ahead – it’s a fantastic time to be a young engineer - Eamon Daly.Networking outside your organisation is always useful – we’re constantly talking to consultants, contractors and clients to see what’s coming next - Eamon Daly.I’ve always stayed involved in design because it’s something I really enjoy – even while leading and managing teams - Eamon DalyKEYWORDS#Engineering #Infrastructure #Ireland #Transport #Sustainability #CivilEngineering #MetroLink #Luas #Motorways #Tunnels #Egis #EngineersIreland #CareerInEngineering #FutureOfTransport

In this episode of Amplified, we wrap up our special mini-series on sustainability with an episode discussing the importance of mindset shifts in achieving Ireland's 2030 renewable energy targets. Henry Boucher and Terry Wilkinson, experts in renewable and civil engineering respectively, emphasise the impact of small changes in sustainability. Terry highlights cost-effective measures like wildlife ladders for amphibians, while Henry focuses on early integration of biodiversity considerations in projects. Both stress the importance of community engagement, effective communication, and practical steps like reducing material use and measuring embodied carbon. They advocate continuous improvement and collaboration to achieve broader sustainability goals.THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTThe need to move beyond technical fixes to sustainability mindset shiftsHow biodiversity can be enhanced through subtle project design changesThe need to move beyond technical fixes to sustainability mindset shiftsDesigning infrastructure to cope with extreme weatherChallenges in balancing safety, cost, and environmental benefitGUEST DETAILS Henry Boucher is a Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB.https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-bouchier-271b6b18/#Terry Wilkinson is a Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management. As a Civil Engineer for ACO, Terry has focused his career predominantly on the highways industry, both in his 11 years at ACO and prior to this working as a client, consultant and contractor for Local Authority highways. He is a member of the CIHT and is working towards his chartered engineer status with CPD at the heart of this journey. His professional interests are focused on wildlife mitigation solutions and highway surface water management; however, he also has a broader understanding of applications for other areas such as rail, housing, commercial and distribution developments. Biodiversity and wildlife are things he is also passionate about personally and he is actively involved in initiatives such as local toad patrols.https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-wilkinson-beng-mciht/MORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESWe never get to net zero unless we have a wide variety of renewable energy sources, and then we have some backup— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESBOften with sustainability, people have these massive identity, massive cost ideas... but often some of the smaller measures can really have positive impacts— Terry Wilkinson, Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water ManagementIt's a mindset shift that has technical solutions. We just have to think a little bit differently how we do things— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESBEverything in nature and wildlife is linked. If you have a decline of a certain species, it will have a knock-on effect to something else— Terry Wilkinson, Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water ManagementDo one thing right, and then you can go back and improve something else. Just improve one thing is probably the way to do it— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESBKEYWORDS#SustainableEngineering #RenewableEnergy #BiodiversityInfrastructure #ClimateInnovation

In this episode of Amplified, host Dusty Rhodes kicks off a special mini-series on sustainability with a powerful conversation about engineering’s critical role in achieving Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).He’s joined by Niamh Breslin of IDA Ireland and Richard Manton from the University of Galway. Together, they explore the reality of decarbonisation, grid resilience, and the transformative influence engineers have—from infrastructure to leadership. With insights into green economy investment, education, and collaboration across sectors, this episode is both a wake-up call and a blueprint for a more sustainable Ireland. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTThe central role engineers play in achieving Ireland’s climate targetsIDA Ireland and their support of transformative investments in clean energyHow University of Galway is driving change and embedding sustainability in educationThe importance of lifelong learning for engineers to adapt to a changing worldThe need for engineers to work with other scientific professionals, social scientists, and business leaders to solve sustainability challenges.GUEST DETAILS Niamh Breslin is Sustainability Manager at IDA Ireland. Niamh manages the development and implementation of IDA Ireland’s foreign direct investment Sustainability strategy, with a focus on decarbonisation of the FDI industry, and delivery of IDA Ireland’s commitments to the National Climate Action Plan.Niamh has significant international experience and has successfully led teams in Dublin, London, Paris and Frankfurt. Niamh has a degree in Computational Linguistics from Dublin City University and a diploma in Business Management from University of Galway. Dr Richard Manton is the Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, Ireland's leading university for sustainability and a National SDG Ambassador. He was previously the Registrar at Engineers Ireland and a Non-Executive Director at Bus Éireann. Richard is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland with a BE in civil engineering, MA in financial management and a PhD in sustainable transportation. He is the current Chairperson of the Engineers Ireland West Region.MORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.Further information is also available at RESEARCH.UNIVERSITYOFGALWAY.IEQUOTESThere are companies in Ireland today that will see their Scope 1 carbon emissions reduced by 100%. This is real. It’s happening— Niamh Breslin, IDA IrelandGraduates are choosing employers based on sustainability. If your climate action plan isn’t strong, you’ll lose talent— Niamh Breslin, IDA IrelandEven with all of these ambitious plans, we’re only on track to hit about 23% emissions reduction by 2030. We need to be more radical— Richard Manton, University of GalwayElectrification and public transport are the key. It’s not just about EVs—it’s about moving people, en masse, sustainably— Richard Manton, University of GalwayWe need engineers who can speak finance—who can sit with CFOs and show where the savings are. That’s how we get buy-in— Niamh Breslin, IDA IrelandKEYWORDS#SustainableDevelopmentGoals #NetZero #RenewableEnergy #GridResilience #OffshoreWind

Building a stronger “Ireland Inc” means rethinking how we plan, deliver, and promote our engineering and infrastructure capabilities on a global stage.Today, we’re diving into how Ireland can overcome some of its most pressing infrastructure delivery challenges—from modernizing procurement strategies to fostering more inclusive and resilient engineering teams. We’ll also explore why staff wellbeing, visibility, and collaboration are now essential pillars of successful project delivery, and examine the persistent barriers facing women in the profession.Joining us is a chartered engineer and one of the youngest ever Fellows of Engineers Ireland, with over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience. She brings a rare combination of technical expertise and a deep passion for people, policy, and progress. It’s a pleasure to welcome Collette O’Shea, Head of Strategic Procurement for Ireland at AECOM.THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTHow personal values and purpose can shape career directionThe role of creativity and continuous learning in engineering successTransforming Ireland’s procurement models for infrastructure deliveryWork-life balance and the reality of burnout in engineeringWomen in engineering and the promise of AIGUEST DETAILSColette O’Shea is Head of Strategic Procurement for Ireland at AECOM, she also holds the role of Project Director on several strategic infrastructure projects. A Chartered Engineer and one of the youngest individuals to attain Fellowship with Engineers Ireland, Colette has over two decades of multidisciplinary experience and has contributed to major public sector initiatives, including projects for the National Development Finance Agency, Irish Water, and Dublin Airport Authority. Her academic background includes a BE in Civil Engineering from University College Dublin, complemented by further qualifications in project management, law, and coaching. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Colette chairs the Women in Engineering Group at Engineers Ireland, where she works to support and advance women in the engineering profession. https://ie.linkedin.com/in/colette-o-shea-8178391a MORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESWhile there are rules in engineering, it's about applying them to the situation in front of you, which is different all the time. - Colette O’SheaI don't know if it's a problem. I think I prefer to think of it as a challenge. - Colette O’SheaWe need to make the industry sustainable, and certainly in the infrastructure space, to make it attractive for companies. - Colette O’SheaOne of the main things that I learned from burnout was that having it and experiencing it was the complete opposite of failing at my job. - Colette O’SheaYou can make any mistake once and we will learn from it, but if you make the same mistake twice and don't learn, we'll have an issue. - Colette O’SheaKEYWORDS#Infrastructure #engineering #procurement #inclusivity #wellbeing #visibility #water #AI #burnout, #energy

Building in highly dense city centers presents a unique set of challenges—tight spaces, heavy traffic, and the need to preserve historical structures while meeting modern safety and sustainability standards. Today we hear from an experienced engineer turned project manager who is an expert in navigating these complex logistics, from coordinating material deliveries with precision to ensuring that construction doesn’t disrupt the surrounding urban landscape. We hear how to safely excavate deep beneath a centuries-old building and what it takes to integrate modern engineering solutions into historic sites, along with the ever-growing importance of sustainability in engineering.Our guest today has nearly 30 years of experience in construction across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and large-scale commercial projects. He is a regional director at PJ Hegarty, John Gavigan. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTDiverse and challenging projects keep work interesting Mastering logistics in city-center constructionBlending modern engineering with historic structuresMaking safety the number one priority of any build The evolving role of sustainability in constructionGUEST DETAILSJohn Gavigan joined PJ Hegarty in 1996 as a graduate engineer. He progressed within the company embracing new responsibilities and roles, completed several projects as Contracts Manager and was appointed as Regional Director in 2023. John’s experience includes projects across several sectors: pharmaceutical, city centre commercial, healthcare, semi-conductor, logistics, education, retail and PPP bids. He was the site lead for 10 Molesworth Street and Tropical Fruit Warehouse in Dublin city centre and the Zoetis project in Tullamore.Molesworth Street project https://www.pjhegarty.ie/projects/10-molesworth-street/ Tropical Fruit Warehouse project https://www.pjhegarty.ie/projects/tropical-fruit-warehouse/ MORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESThe challenges are the things that you remember. That's what keeps it interesting. - John GaviganGetting concrete trucks into the city centre location in the middle of the day during business hours, was very challenging. - John GaviganIt's knowing how to judge when there's an opportunity. - John GaviganAs an engineer who has evolved as a project manager in my career, you learn different problem solving techniques, you develop analytical skills. - John GaviganKEYWORDS#engineering #city #projectmanagement #construction #logistics #trafficmanagement #safety

Often in engineering we focus on the technical, production parts of a project, but it is the people who make the projects. As a leader, learning to support those people is vital. Today we hear from a prominent engineer who through his work in ground engineering, consulting, operations, HR and business, has gained many skills in managing and leading people. He believes safety, quality, inclusion and collaboration should be at the forefront of every project and combining that with purpose-led business creates the ultimate best outcomes. Our guest today has almost 30 years of experience with one of Ireland’s leading construction companies and believes in adapting the construction industry to support diversity and sustainability. He is BAM UK & Ireland’s Executive Director of Ireland, Alasdair Henderson. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTTransitioning from managing projects to leading people Approaching safety with prevention instead of reaction Working on public infrastructure such as the National Children’s Hospital Sustainable design to support a net zero futurePlanning diversity and inclusion to create an accessible society AI, robotics and material innovations for the future of engineering GUEST DETAILSAlasdair Henderson is BAM UK & Ireland’s Executive Director of Ireland. Alasdair joined BAM as a graduate engineer in 1996 and has worked his way up through a variety of operational and business leadership roles across BAM. He is well known as an advocate of purpose-led business, believing that the best and most sustainable financial results are achieved when the things we build add value to society. He holds safety, quality, inclusion, and collaboration as key tenets of what makes a good business and is delighted that he sees all these things on a daily basis at BAM. Alasdair is actively involved in policy development in the industry and is a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a fellow of the Institute of Quarrying, and a visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alasdairehenderson MORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESThe time you spend thinking most about safety is normally immediately after an accident. - Alasdair Henderson It's one of the largest buildings in Europe. - Alasdair Henderson If you start with a misaligned scope, it never gets better. It just gets worse and worse and worse. - Alasdair Henderson You can absolutely make those environments safer, warmer, more welcoming by changing the way you design that infrastructure. . - Alasdair Henderson Our industry is addicted to concrete and steel. If we want to get to net zero, we're going to have to do something around that. - Alasdair Henderson KEYWORDS#Engineering #construction #BAMIreland #NationalChildren'sHospital #publicprocurement #sustainability #diversity #digitalization

From the rise of AI to the implementation of 3D printing and robots, the world is changing rapidly and can leave some engineers questioning their place in it all. Today we hear from an engineer who is not only adopting, but embracing these new technologies as the leader of one of Ireland’s top manufacturing research organisations. We learn about emerging tech that is changing the game in manufacturing and why although this change can seem overwhelming, adapting is the best way forward. Our guest has over 15 years Directing and Leading Organisations both in MNC environments and new organisational start-ups and is currently CEO of Irish Manufacturing Research, Barry Kennedy. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTKeeping Ireland competitive with new technologies and automationIMR connecting cutting-edge manufacturing technology with Irish industriesCreating a positive environment for innovationLateral thinking and problem solving methodologies The benefits robots and humans working side by side GUEST DETAILSBarry Kennedy is the CEO of Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and is responsible for setting the strategy, objectives, goals and direction of the company. He is responsible for the overall centre and staff. He also owns modelling and setting of the company’s culture, values, and behaviour. He is responsible for building and leading the senior executive team and for allocating capital to the company’s priorities; for example, deciding where IMR spends its time and resources.Barry has over 15 years Directing and Leading Organisations both in MNC environments and new organisational start-ups from working in the following organisational roles including; CEO of Irish Manufacturing Research, Director in IIOT division, Intel, CEO of both Irish Centre for Manufacturing Research (ICMR) Ltd & Innovation for Irelands Energy Efficiency (i2e2) Ltd, Department Manager and senior manager of Manufacturing Quality in Intel, Chair and Director on several boards including volunteer boards such as Chair of the school board.https://ie.linkedin.com/in/barry-kennedy-a9a127b MORE INFORMATIONLooking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.QUOTESIf we're going to survive and thrive over the next number of years, we're going to have to adopt these new technologies so that it'll drive efficiencies in our manufacturing organizations and keep ourselves profitable, or we're going to be left behind. - Barry Kennedy It is important for companies and senior leadership to ensure that they're creating enough space for their engineering teams to be able to think about how to solve the problems. - Barry Kennedy I have seen that in a lot of companies over the years, where they haven't resolved problems. They've band aided them. - Barry Kennedy I'd never seen the technology come in and transform so fast as AI has just done over the last 18 months. - Barry Kennedy Engineers need to be prepared now to have lifelong learning. And that's the way life is going to be, because what we were doing today, in five years time is going to be very different, most likely. - Barry Kennedy KEYWORDS#AI #transformation #engineering #manufacturing #technology #digital #robotic #3Dprinting #innovation