OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 33
careerS
HIGHER EDUCATION HAS CERTAINlY HElPED
noise and vibration.
For
proposed
residential
developments, HGC's engineering staff
collect data regarding noise and vibration
from transportation sources (i.e. road,
rail and air traffic) and from existing
commercial or industrial facilities.
Their analysis yields recommendations
for measures to ensure that noise
and vibration levels are acceptable
in the new community. Likewise, for
proposed commercial or industrial
uses, HGC's engineers ascertain their
potential noise and vibration impacts
on the surrounding community, and
provide recommendations to minimize
those impacts.
Acoustical engineers are occasionally
called upon to present expert testimony
before the Ontario Municipal Board
(OMB), whose officials adjudicate
in cases where conflicts arise from a
proposed change in land use. In these
instances, the acoustical engineer
informs the OMB of the noise/vibration
challenges, and potential solutions
to protect the acoustical integrity of
the community.
Once studies are completed to ensure
a new building with noise-sensitive
spaces will not be adversely impacted by
the external environment, the acoustical
engineer undertakes a "building
review" to consider sources of noise and
vibration within the building itself. This
can demand the most time from the
acoustical engineer, who must undertake
a detailed analysis of the proposed design
of building elements, separating living
and working spaces from mechanical
systems and other areas where noise
and vibration are generated, such as
gymnasiums. It is up to the acoustical
engineer to provide developers and
architects with cost-effective and
innovative recommendations to
minimize the impacts of noise and
vibration, and maximize the acoustical
characteristics of the places in which we
live, work and play.
The work of an acoustical consultant
does not conclude once the new
MY ROlE WITHIN THE COMPANY EVOlVE. IT'S
building is designed.
Particularly with new
NOT JUST ABOUT ANAlYSIS AND RESUlTS-IT'S
builds in compact or
ABOUT JUDGMENT, INTERPRETATION AND
densely populated urban
areas, it is important
CONNECTING WITH ClIENTS AT A lEVEl THAT
to assess the potential
DElIVERS THE MOST VAlUE.
impacts of the noise
and vibration that the
- Corey Kinart, P.Eng., Senior Associate at HGC Engineering
construction work can
create. These byproducts
of development have the potential to
an internal survey and were proud to
disturb people living and working near
discover that their team can offer services
the construction site and, in some cases,
in 16 different languages.
can pose a risk of damage to surrounding
"I've also witnessed our role evolve
buildings.
as employees continue to diversify.
Engineers can no longer focus strictly
The sOuND Of suCCess
on number crunching and technical
Given the broad spectrum of clients,
data. We're a profession that's responsible
projects and stakeholders that HGC
for liaising with different groups. We
works with daily, Kinart, Sheeba and
need to be able to explain why a certain
Niinivaara are adamant that one of
recommendation was made and the
the primary reasons for the company's
numbers don't always tell the story
success is its penchant for diversity.
adequately," explains Sheeba.
"Not only has HGC built up a diverse
"A lot of our site reviews used to
portfolio of projects, our staff of over
be communicated strictly through
thirty employees is the embodiment
formal written reports and extensive
of diversity," says Sheeba. "And I don't
email communications. Today, I find
just mean that we come from different
that reviewers prefer to pick up the
walks of life - it's much more than that.
phone and have a conversation to
I think HGC is able to offer its clients
ensure they understand our studies and
such a unique array of skill sets and
recommendations before writing up their
creative solutions because the company
reports. Even OMB hearings seem to be
embraces the different personal
less adversarial as mediations become
backgrounds, professional experiences
more commonplace. Because we work
and perspectives that our employees
with so many different professionals,
bring to the table."
from architects to city planners, our role
When Sheeba was hired at HGC
as engineers has broadened - we now
Engineering 18 years ago, she was one of
need to become skilled communicators
ten employees, as well as the first female
who are able to transmit our technical
engineer and person of colour on staff.
knowledge in a meaningful way."
"Since I started with the company, I've
Niinivaara, who joined HGC about a
watched our roster grow and evolve. Our
year ago as an international engineering
country and province are so diverse, so
graduate (IEG) from Finland, has
shouldn't the engineering profession be
his own take on the manifestation of
made up of people who have the technical
diversity at HGC.
skills required to do the work, and who
"Most engineering work is simply
also reflect the society in which we live?
about needing someone to perform
Everyone has something to contribute.
the required task. On the one hand, it's
Diversity enriches the workplace and
irrelevant who the person is, as long
our clients need to relate to the people
as they have the knowledge and skills
working on their behalf," says Sheeba.
necessary to get the job done. On the
HGC's employees recently completed
other hand, if you think of engineering
December 2017
The VOICe
33
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OSPE - The Voice - December 2017
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - Cover1
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - Cover2
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - Table of Contents
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 4
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 5
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 6
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 7
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 8
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 9
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 10
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 11
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 12
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 13
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 14
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 15
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 16
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 17
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 18
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 19
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 20
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 21
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 22
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 23
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 24
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 25
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 26
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 27
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 28
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 29
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 30
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 31
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 32
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 33
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 34
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 35
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 36
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 37
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - 38
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - Cover3
OSPE - The Voice - December 2017 - Cover4
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