Engineering Consulting & Training Services

ATTARAdvanced Technology Testing and Research

Determination of root cause & failure modeUnderstandable reports and testimony

Forensic Engineering & Failure Analysis Expert Witness Services

Providing Expertise and Producing Clear Results

Based on comprehensive investigation

Reproducible, independent and credible

Clearly articulated

What sets us apart is our multi-disciplinary approach: our experts have a wide base of knowledge and experience with materials and mechanical testing, corrosion, risk assessments and failure analysis.

ATTAR specialises in quantifying how materials and products fail, including an assessment of equipment that has deteriorated due to corrosion, fatigue, damage, abuse, and improper manufacture. We can also evaluate the reliability of systems and components, life cycle assessment, as well as legislative review and compliance assessments.

Investigations usually relate to public liability, consumer and industrial product defects/failures, building materials, manual & materials handling, transport and engineering failures, and range from a basic appraisal to the preparation and presentation of evidence for court hearings. We also have particular expertise in Non-destructive testing failures, including assessment of suitability of inspection.

We thoroughly investigate - from collecting data onsite, to analysing drawings, material specifications, supporting documentation, as well as complex evaluations of design, materials and fabrication/construction defects. Results are communicated in a clear and effective manner.

ATTAR is committed to delivering a quality, cost- effective service. We have high professional standards, ethics and integrity, all of which is supported by our international recognition as a NATA ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.

Forensic Failure Analysis

Identify why equipment, products or structures failed

Determine why performance expectations are not met

Develop new and better products

ATTAR’s forensic engineering services are critical to ascertaining liability, whether the fault lies in the materials used, product design, manufacturing methods or usage.

Our comprehensive investigations identify both the failure mechanism (the ‘how’) and the root cause (the ‘why’) by means of specialised analysis of the materials involved alongside structural, physical and mechanical testing.

Product & Component Investigations

Materials Analysis & Characterisation

Advanced analyt ical techniques to determine fundamenta l p roper t ies , character is t ics and performance

Scanning Electron Microscopy

Stereographic Microscopy

Microstructural Analysis

Chemical Analysis

Metallurgical Examinations

Materials Characterisation & Testing

Mechanical Analysis

Stress Analysis

Mechanical Operation: design analysis and review

Dynamic Analysis

Static Analysis

Fluid Dynamics

Mechanical Testing of Materials

Background Information & Samples

Testing

Interpretation &Determination

Recommendations

Micro-structural(Optical & SEM)

Visual &Fractography NDT

MechanicalProperties

ChemicalAnalysis

Slip Incident Investigations

ATTAR has many years of experience investigating and testing accidents involving floor condition, especially slip resistance. The prevention of slips is governed by legislation that provides either regulations for compliance, or remedies for the affected person suffering injury as a result of non-compliance.

ATTAR is the only laboratory in Australia that is NATA accredited for all 4 methods of slip resistance testing.

Evaluations of new (AS/NZS 4586) & existing (AS/NZS 4663) surfaces:

Dry Floor Friction

Wet Barefoot Ramp

Wet Pendulum

Oil Wet Ramp

Compliance Assessments

We also undertake investigation into the determination of compliance of stairs and walkways against relevant building codes (e.g. BCA) and other legislated regulations (OH&S, etc.).

ATTAR can investigate numerous factors contributing to slips, trips and falls, via on-site investigation and measurement:

Mindset

Lack of familiarity

Poor lighting

Excessive speed

Unbalanced

Influence of alcohol

Wet floor

Uneven floor

Unexpected change in floor surface

Dirty or contaminated floor

Uneven step, geometry

Worn, old tiles

Footwear

Stairs, Rails, Nosings, etc.

Expert Witness Preparation

ATTAR understands that while expert witness testimony can be extremely valuable, factual evidence may not be the only issue under consideration.

ATTAR's Expert Witnesses are suitably prepared for the rigors of deposition and/or trial, with professional training to enhance presentation and credibility, as well as ensuring complex issues are explained in a clear and concise manner.

Experience

Providing legal reports, litigation support and expert testimony in Supreme, Federal, County, Magistrate's and Coroner's court

Slip incidents, public liability, consumer and industrial product defects/failures, building materials, manual & materials handling, transport and engineering failures

The largest legal settlement of a slip-related incident in Australia is $2.75 million respecting which ATTAR was involved as an Expert Witness

All ATTAR services are delivered with quality, integrity and relevance.

www.attar.com.au

Head Office - AustraliaUnit 1, 64 Bridge Rd, Keysborough Vic 3173 Australia + 61 3 9574 6144 + 61 3 9574 6133 i nfo@attar.com.auT F E

ATTAR's Expert Witness Services Independent, credible evidence of liability

Reports, litigation support and testimony

Identification of causation as well as specific non-compliances and defects

Extensive knowledge and experience with courts and other tribunals

Clear ar ticulation enables easy understanding of technical issues

ATTAR's forensic team has strong working relationships with numerous manufacturers, insurance companies, loss adjusters and lawyers; we have over 26 years of experience providing legal reports and expert witness testimony in engineering design, analysis and troubleshooting.

From simple to complex, we investigate product failure, determining the root cause and failure mode, thereby enabling resolution of insurance and legal cases where liability must be established for losses due to a product failure.

All reports issued by ATTAR undergo peer review and approval, ensuring ATTAR repor ts can withstand fundamental challenge.

ATTAR is an ISO 17025 NATA Accredited Laboratory What Does It Mean?

ISO 17025 is an internationally recognised accreditation which sets out the requirements for the competence of testing and inspection laboratories. Closely aligned with the requirements of the ISO 9000 standard (both require a quality management system), ISO 17025 also demands regular audits of technical competence: an assessment of factors which determine the correctness and reliability of the tests and calibrations performed, and thus the ability to consistently produce valid results.

Since the ISO 17025 standard evaluates technical expertise, accreditation is formal recognition (by an accreditation body such as NATA) of laboratory competence – which means that clients, other laboratories, regulatory authorities and the courts can have confidence in the test results.

Acoustic Emission,Welds, Hardness

& Slip Testing