The Inspector Role

FROSIO’s definition of an inspector is:

Anyone with responsibility to assure that work is performed according to the specification

A First-Class Professional Inspector will

• Add value to the contract by positive contributions to a quality outcome
• Be polite and respectful, calm and firm, reliable and honest, and represent employer in a diplomatic way
• Communicate extensively with all parties to a project
• Perform duties in such a way that it contributes to constructive measures to be taken, instead of taking an indifferent (or negative) approach (meaning: seek a solution)
• Whenever circumstances force a compromise to be the only solution, she/he ensures that this is properly authorized, recorded and reported

Types of inspectors

There may be several different reasons for having a surface treatment inspector attached to a project, be it during construction of a new structure or repair / maintenance of an existing structure. Their duties and responsibilities are in most cases determined by who has assigned them to the project (their employer). These are the most common categories of surface treatment inspectors, based on who has employed them:

Quality Controller

These are typically employed by the yard / contractor carrying out the construction / repair / maintenance work. She/he will check that the work colleagues carry out is in accordance with the specification which the employer has agreed with the customer, so they avoid complaints and stay within the stipulated time and budget. She/he should have the power to stop ongoing work which is not deemed acceptable and must write and keep the necessary quality control records. For coating-related work his title might typically be “Paint Inspector”.

Owner’s Representative

The company which will take over a new construction or already owns the object to be repaired and must pay for the work upon completion will usually have a representative present during the work to verify that the quality is as agreed. She/he may not have the official authority to stop ongoing work on new constructions, but if she/he identifies and report items which do not meet the agreed specification, and this is not rectified, the construction company can have serious problems at the time of handing over the structure and being paid. For repair and maintenance projects the Owner’s Representative usually is the person in overall charge and can accept and reject the work carried out by the contractors. The owner’s representative in charge of coatings will often also deal with other aspects of the work, reflected in the title “Superintendent”, although on occasions they may employ dedicated paint inspectors as well.

Technical Service

As part of a supply contract, the manufacturer (or supplier) may offer to make available a competent person to guide the installation process. The inspector is there to give advice and recommendations, and she/he usually has no official authority to stop, reject or accept the work. The inspector will observe the work and make written reports about the standard of work and prevailing conditions. Both construction company, contractor and Owner will be informed about the findings and recommendations. The reports will contain important information in case of future complaints. Due to their limited authority, coating manufacturers will often give their inspectors the job title “Coating Advisors”.

Classification / certification inspector

If a construction needs to be certified by for instance a classification society, this society will send their own inspector to check that the certification criteria are met. She/he may typically focus on structural strength and corrosion protection (and fit for purpose) to ensure that the structure will perform as designed. She/he may only inspect the work at critical points and may not have official power to stop any work, but the possibility of ending up with a structure that cannot be certified is usually enough threat to make all other parties to follow his advice.

Independent expert

An unsatisfactory result may often lead to a complaint and perhaps develop into a claim for compensation and/or rectification. If the involved parties cannot reach a settlement, an outside neutral expert may be invited to give her/his opinion, a “third party inspector”. She/he will inspect and test the faulty object, check all available reports and data, perhaps do some research, and use own experience and knowledge to arrive at a conclusion and recommendation. The findings and conclusion may not be binding on the parties, but in situations of arbitration or court cases they may heavily influence the outcome.

Duties of an inspector

All surface treatment inspectors are either employed by a company or engaged (appointed) by a client, as indicated above. The inspector’s primary duty is to look after his employer’s or client’s best interests (as long as these are honest, ethical and legal). This usually means to ensure the work and materials conform to the agreed project specification.

Definition of an inspector

Anyone with responsibility to assure that work is performed according to the specification.

Roles of an inspector

For each project, an inspector’s specific authority and role shall be defined. Generally, the role is to:

• Observe
• Assess (inspect)/test – what, why and how
• Document/verify – is it in accordance with the specification?
• Report – document facts

The inspector’s authority / responsibility

• The inspector shall report non-conformance / deviation from the specification
• Unless he is the owner’s representative, he shall not make decisions on behalf of the owner, except when given written authority to do so
• For each project, the authority of the inspector shall be defined in collaboration with his / her contractual partner
• The frequency and the extent of inspection and reporting shall be addressed and agreed at the commencement of the project

Inspector’s knowledge / tasks / duties

• Know and understand the project specification, procedures and standards
• Be qualified for the job and work within qualified limits
• Be loyal to requirements
• Theoretical expertise – must acquire knowledge and be updated on developments / newest technology within the field
• Have knowledge of relevant control and test instruments, how they operate, and their limitations
• Write reports
• Handle confidential information correctly

FROSIO Role of the inspector - ENG Rev04.pdf

An inspector shall

• Adhere to ethical guidelines
• Understand cultural differences
• Be dedicated and always quality conscious
• Be responsible and reliable
• Be fair, accurate and correct
• Understand the role and work within own limits of competence and authority
• Provide accurate reporting and documentation
• Refuse any favours or gifts
• Respect confidentiality

See FROSIO Code of ethics.pdf

• To ensure that the coating specification is met
• To verify the quality of work carried out by the contractor / yard
• To prepare written records for the specified coating work:
  • Approval: meets the specification
  • Not acceptable: non-conformance
  • Punch-list (also called “Snag list”), meaning any incomplete / outstanding issues
• Establish an inspection plan to comply with the coating specification
• Use a daily log book and transfer information into reports as required
• Any changes to the coating specification must be agreed by owner and put in writing and signed
• Maintain contact with the parties as previously agreed

• All the products that will be used
• All relevant inspection methods and inspection tools (including their calibration)
• Relevant standards
• Relevant Technical Data Sheets, Application Guides and Safety Data Sheets
• Methods used for pre-treatment and paint application
• The equipment used for pre-treatment and application: benefits and limitations

• Shop-priming of the steel (if not done by others)
• The steel work (Pre-blasting preparation or steel dressing)
• Cleaning and surface preparation prior to paint application
• Paint mixing and application of coatings
• The applied paint film thickness, visual appearance and cure conditions
• Ambient conditions during all the above stages

Routine reports to be made by the paint inspector:

• Daily reports
• Weekly reports
• Summary and Final reports
• Non-Conformance Reports (NCR):
  • To be signed by the responsible contractor, and brought forward to your employer