Ron G. Prichard, P.E., Ph.D.

Dr. Ron Prichard contributes articles on construction safety and construction quality to IRMI.com.

He currently serves as a consultant to a diverse mix of businesses in the construction industry, where he enhances the ability to manage a wide variety of risk posed by operations, competition, and clients in a dynamic and changing environment. Dr. Prichard has over 30 years of involvement with the construction industry at various levels. For over 10 years, he has concentrated his efforts on the reduction of operational risks for both owners and contractors.

Dr. Prichard started his construction career as a laborer for a home builder, and has served in a broad spectrum of roles as both a leader and a staff member for many segments of the industry, including as a project support consultant, a general contractor project manager, a technical advisor for an insurer, an owners' representative, and as a risk consultant for insurance brokers. He has successfully managed construction in both the public sector (while serving as an officer on active duty with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and then in the U.S. Army Reserve) and in the private sector.

In a staff role, Dr. Prichard has provided technical support in planning, estimating, scheduling, and delivery of dozens of large construction projects. In addition, he participated in the resolution of more than 30 major contract disputes. He provides support for litigation, mediation, arbitration, and expert testimony for resolution of a variety of claims and disputes.

Dr. Prichard has earned both a bachelor's of science degree from West Point and a master's of science degree from the University of Missouri in Civil Engineering, and a doctorate of philosophy focused on general principles of engineering and the construction delivery process. Additionally, he is registered as a Professional Engineer (Civil). He is coauthor of Risk Management, Insurance & Bonding for the Construction Industry, prepared for the Associated General Contractors of America and is a frequent speaker at construction industry conferences.

Articles on IRMI.com

Construction Quality

The Myth of Mitigation (February 2012)

Getting Deeper into Quality: Time, the Systems Model, and the Damage Event Divide (March 2010)

Getting a Grip on Quality in the Constructed Project: Defining Quality (October 2009)

Construction Safety

Owner Safety Leadership (February 2004)

Eyewitnesses and Other Sources of Accident Data (August 2003)

On The Trail of Truth: Conducting an Accident Investigation (April 2003)

The Incident Investigation: Learning through Hindsight (February 2003)

The Value of Safety (November 2002)

The Cost of Safety (October 2002)

Debunking the 13 Myths of Construction Safety (May 2002)

Site Assessments: An Informal Process of Questioning (Part 1)(August 2001)

Site Assessments: Initial Assessment (Part 2) (December 2001)

Site Assessments: Conducting a Site Assessment (Part 3) (January 2002)

Site Assessments: Some Final Thoughts in Completing Site Assessments (Part 4) (February 2002)

Safety Incentive Programs: A Critical Assessment (April 2001)

Ergonomics (February 2001)

Substance Abuse (October 2000)

Contractor Qualification (August 2000)

Partnering: A Plus for Safety (March 2000)