Inspectors Inspections

After the initial screening of a new application by the certification body, the inspection can take place. The regulation requires that inspections take place annually, though operations often may be inspected more than once a year. This is particularly true where the operations are somewhat complex and the whole unit cannot be seen during one visit. Usually, one inspector at a time will visit a unit, though occasionally it is appropriate for more than one to conduct the inspection. Inspectors are chosen by the certification body to inspect a unit based on their expertise and geographical proximity to the site. Operators, however, can refuse an inspector when they feel the inspector for one reason or another may not be objective. Then, too, the inspector may refuse to do a job, perhaps due to some conflict of interest. 

In addition to documentation, access should be provided to support personnel with knowledge of the central application and documentation during regulatory inspections. Inspectors will not normally be authorized to access systems as a point of policy. An inspector who asks to see electronic documentation or electronic records can watch an authorized user query a system and make a printout. 

Staff should normally wear protective clothing for inspections. Inspectors must wear protective clothing at least equivalent to that worn by employees of manufacturing sites (e.g. head covering or masks, when appropriate). Staff should conform to company procedures at all times. However, if company procedures are considered inappropriate then this fact should be recorded. 

When the information on the odor threshold and colorimetric tube methods were demonstrated to the various inspectors and their supervisors, the colorimetric tube method was preferable for detecting the presence of CCljj concentrations in grain samples to be inspected. Inspectors who had been relying on CClj. odors as a method of detection were shown that such a method was inadequate to keep exposures below the OSHA and ACGHI ceilings. As a result of the explanation as to why odor threshold detection was Inadequate, the Inspectors could understand how a more sensitive detection system could reduce their exposures to CClj,. 

OFSTED has the primary responsibility for monitoring that legal and professional requirements are being met, in particular to examine health and safety practice. During an inspection, inspectors will not only record and report on any aspects observed that in their opinion constitute a threat or risk to health and safety, but also ... 

BOEMRE inspectors and investigators are based in 7 district offices (5 in the COM, r in California, r in Alaska) and fly offshore regularly. OCS Eands Act mandates annual inspections. Inspectors have authority to issue Incidents of non-compliance which may be a warning or a facility shut-in. Civil penalties may be issued when violations pose actual harm or threat of harm to personnel or the environment. Industry self-inspections and records are required by regulation. Drills (spill response, BOPE, H2S, evacuation, etc.) are required and may be initiated by BOEMRE without notice. Third-party reviews (design, fabrication and installation) are required for deepwater or novel structures. 

OSHA inspections are general or targeted. In a general inspection, inspectors look for any non-compliance with OSHA regulations. In a targeted inspection, they look for specific types of non-compliance only. 

Each situation dictates who qualifies to conduct an inspection. Inspectors can be workers, co-workers, supervisors, specialists (engineers, safety specialists and others), or special teams. In some cases, inspectors need certification for the inspections they perform. Recertification is also important to assure that inspection skills are current and meet inspection standards. 

During a site inspection inspectors would review both the local organisation for work with biological agents as well as the physical containment facilities with reference to the relevant guidance. Inspectors are able to provide advice on the interpretation and implementation of guidance in particular circumstances and frequently made recommendations for improvements in facilities or procedures. A range of more formal enforcement actions can be taken where this is necessary. 

With regard to frequency and intensity of subsequent inspections, inspectors shall during the initial inspection assess the risk to the object and purpose of this Convention posed by the relevant chemicals, the characteristics of the plant site and the nature of the activities carried out there, taking into account, inter alia, the following criteria ... 

This flexibility has an impact on the relationship between the inspector and the inspected inspectors are free to build a cooperative relationship with the inspected, and there is room for compromise (Ayres Braithwaite 1991). Consequently, the regulatory compliance check is more based on negotiation. Etymologically, the Latin word negotiation means trade or commerce . Specifically, it describes action to deal with an issue, the award of a contract and, by extension, various preliminary operations that are carried out in order to reach agreement. It also refers to discussions held before a contract is agreed or discussions concerning the settlement of a dispute (Cornu 2010). 

If neither the accept, downgrade or reject button is pushed during inspection, the block will automatically be out loaded after the time limit has expired. The accept/reject/downgrade buttons will flash prompting the inspector for a decision. 

If improvements should be achieved by an automation of the inspection process this requires a control of the process parameters of the whole equipment by an integrated "intelligent" system and not by displays still being controlled by the human inspector. This integrated control-system ensures that the inspection conditions are at the highest reproduction level. 

Increasing production and therefore inspection rates may increase the stress to the inspector and result in a decreasing reproducability and flaw detection rate. In addition by replacing the human inspector by a fully automatic image processing tremendeous cost savings are achieved. 

Of course modem MPI and LPI equipments have all necessary control devices needed to ensure operation at nser defined conditions, but if these conditions have to be controlled by the inspector itsself besides the normal inspection work the human being is still a factor of operating the equipment. 

Quantitative determined visual recognition for usual inspections, indicate that for indications with lengths over about 1.5 mm tbe probability of recognition is about 100 %. This is also applied to the penetrant inspection. This does not include the so called "human factor" which means that it cannot be guaranted that the inspector detects all indications for instance not always observing the inspection surface with full concentration. 

Naturally, such a high probability of detection of theoretically 100% never can be realized in practice. The inspector will not recognize all good visible indications at any time because he cannot always be fiilly concentrated on his task, which is called "human factor". This human factor appears in any visual inspection and may be reduced only by a second redundant inspection or extreme signals as a light flash or an acustic signal. 

Edcfy-cufrent NDT inspections using spatial data (sampled scans) ha >e many benefits. They separate the two conflicting aspects of an inspection scanning and signal interpretation. An instrument/display (client/server) based NDT inspection based on sampled scan data aides in the training and certification of inspectors. It can be used over the Internet or in-house Intranet networks to train or examine inspectors at multiple or remote sites. This saves travel time and resources as defects, instrumentation and teaching can all be consolidated Samples can be maintained and distributed from a central certification body providing more control andflexibility. 

A large percentage of eddy-current inspections are conducted in the field, away from the home base and often in remote or inaccessible locations. Using local telephone lines or mobile phone lines would allow the inspector to beam his data back to the office. In this way highly qualified personnel can be consulted when problems or difficult to interpret results occur. Inspectors no longer need to feel isolated on site. 

Sampled scan data can be used to improve certification, re-certification by providing a richer and more tailored environment and provides for inspection and inspector auditing... 

Inspection data can be quickly communicated back to the office for further analysis, which helps to support inspectors in the field... 

Mock OSHA Inspection. Maintenance can learn a lot about how the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) trains thein inspectors and what is emphasized in an OSHA inspection. Some of the training of OSHA inspectors follows a program involving the recognition of potential hazards, avoidance of these hazards, and prevention of accidents (RAP). 

Examination and Inspection The code differentiates between examination and inspection. Examination applies to quality-control functions performed by personnel of the piping manufacturer, fabricator, or erector. Inspection applies to fiinctions performed for the owner by the authorized inspector. 

The authorized inspec tor shall be designated by the owner and shall be the owner, an employee of the owner, an employee of an engineering or scientific organization, or an employee of a recognized insurance or inspection company ac ting as the owner s agent. The inspector... 

The authorized inspector shall have a minimum of 10 years experience in the design, fabrication, or inspection of industrial pressure piping. Each 20 percent of satisfactory work toward an engineering... 

It is the owner s responsibility, exercised through the authorized inspector, to verify that all required examinations and testing have been completed and to inspect tne piping to the extent necessary to be... 

Inspection does not relieve the manufacturer, the fabricator, or the erector of responsibility for providing materials, components, and skill in accordance with requirements of the code and the engineering design, performing all required examinations, and preparing records of examinations and tests for the inspector s use. 

Code Administration The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has written the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which contains rirles for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels. The ASME Code is an American National Standard. Most states in the United States and all Canadian provinces have passed legislation which makes the ASME Code or certain parts of it their legal requirement. Orrly a few jurisdictions have adopted the code for all vessels. The others apply it to certain types of vessels or to boilers. States employ inspectors (usually under a chief boiler inspector) to enforce code provisions. The authorities also depend a great deal on insurance company inspectors to see that boilers and pressure vessels are maintained in a safe condition. 

Inspection Authority The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors is composed of the chief inspectors of states and municipalities in the United States and Canadian provinces which have made any pari of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code a legal requirement. This board promotes uniform enforcement of boiler and pressure-vessel rules. One of the board s imporiant activities is providing examinations for, and commissioning of, inspectors. Inspeciors so qualified and employed by an insurance company state, municipality, or Canadian province may inspect a pressure vessel and permit it to be stamped ASME—NB (National Board). An inspector employed by a vessel user may authorize the use of only the ASME stamp. The ASME Code Committee authorizes fabricators to use the various ASME stamps. The stamps, however, may be apphed to a vessel only with the approval of the inspector. 

The National Board Inspection Code, published by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, Columbus, Ohio, is helpful. Any repair, however, is acceptable if it is made in accordance with the rules of the Pressure Vessel Code. 

Two men were inspecting a large tank in which other equipment was installed. The tank had two large manways attached to it, one near the bottom and one near the top. Ventilation was provided by air entering the bottom manway and leaving the top manway. A sheet of plastic had temporarily been placed over the top manway, which decreased the amount of air circiilation. One of the inspectors chmbed a ladder in the tank, became dizzy, and fell to the tank floor below. He died from the injuries received in the fall. It was found that... 

When all the background material has been reviewed, it is time to inspect the source to be tested. The inspector should be accompanied by the plant... 

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