Since Geosynthetica is an industry supported resource, it is our primary mission is to develop and improve the use of geosynthetics through education. The Geosynthetics Risk Management Program is a considerable part of that effort.

It is true that there are a number of different applications for geosynthetics; from retaining wall drainage/reinforcement to landfill lining; silt fences, agricultural waste, hazardous materials storage, road foundations and an unbelievable number of other projects. There is one fact that remains the same in all geo-related projects – the geosynthetic component is vital to the ultimate success of the project in which it is involved.

It has been established that in excess of 95% of the failures related to geosynthetics are preventable. Failures are most often attributed not to the failure of the material, but to inappropriate material selection, incorrect design, poor installation, and lack of (or substandard) CQA. Most often insurance companies end up paying millions of dollars for these failures which need not have occurred.

Geosynthetica is establishing the development of the Geosynthetics Risk Management Program. This program is designed to identify critical control points at which risk can be managed. We will then establish measures to manage them. Simple safeguards such as peer-reviewed design and the use of certified installation crews can make the difference between success or failure – meaning, the difference between a million dollar project or a multi-million dollar insurance pay-out.

Insurance Risk Management Institute

Insurance Risk Management Institute (IRMI) – Geosynthetica is proud to be a sponsor of the 24th IRMI Construction Risk Conference. We will be hosting one of only six Technology Showcases (held in Bonaire 7 for those of you participating in the event) where we will introduce our Geosynthetics Risk Management Program in partnership with gsa Underwriters Cooley, Colbond, Naue Fasertechnik, TRI, Coletanche, Agru, I-CORP INTERNATIONAL, and consultant John Paulson. The IRMI Construction Risk Conference is the premier forum for the more than 1,200 representatives of the construction and insurance industries to share ideas and techniques for improving the ways construction risks are managed and insured. In our showcase, we will illustrate several failures; where the failure occurred, how much it cost the insurance company(s), and what simple preventative measures could have been taken to avoid the failure.

To read more on gsa’s efforts to raise up the geosynthetics industry through the insurance industry, please follow the links below:

Improving Projects, Economy, and Industry

Under the Certification column in September’s GFR, authors Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL and gsa’s Elizabeth Peggs examine why geosynthetics are not receiving the attention they deserve, and, subsequently, not achieving their expected market share.

Insurance – Construction Risk Mangement

In GFR’s September 2004 issue, Lara Deans Peggs and Elizabeth Peggs have identified an opportunity to expand the role and acceptance of geosynthetic materials while improving the quality of the work performed and reducing liability. Currently, they are working to develop a program for the insurance industry. The program will help engineers, designers, owners and contractors improve the overall quality of the geosynthetic component in their projects.

Risk Assessment and Insurance for Containment Systems

Offered at GRI 17 Conference, December 2003, this paper authored by Ian Peggs, Elizabeth Peggs, and J. P. Duhalde proposes a method to minimize insurance claims and to improve the performance of geomembrane and GCL-based lining systems thereby making geosynthetics more acceptable to facility owners, engineers, and regulators.

Geosynthetics Risk Management: A Tool to Drive the Geo-Economy

From the May 2004 IAGI Newsletter, authored by Elizabeth Peggs: geosynthetica has identified an opportunity to expand the marketplace, to improve the quality of the work performed with geosynthetic materials and to reduce liability. The Geosynthetics Risk Management Program will require engineers, designers, owners and contractors to improve the quality of the geosynthetic component in their projects.

 

 

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