1、Standard Practice for Technician Training and Certification Programs AASHTO Designation: R 25-18 Tech Section: 5c, Quality Assurance and Environmental Release: Group 1 (April) American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 444 North Capitol Street N.W., Suite 249 Washington, D.C.
2、 20001 TS-5c R 25-1 AASHTO Standard Practice for Technician Training and Certification Programs AASHTO Designation: R 25-18 Tech Section: 5c, Quality Assurance and Environmental Release: Group 1 (April) 1. SCOPE AND LIMITATION 1.1. This document provides a guideline for establishing evaluation and c
3、ertification procedures for personnel engaged in sampling and testing of soils, aggregates, asphalt mixture, and portland cement concrete in accordance with AASHTO test methods. The guideline is intended for use by organizations providing certification of sampling and testing technicians at the basi
4、c testing level for acceptance of materials and independent assurance testing. 1.2. The terms used in this standard regarding “technician” or “certification” are meant to be generic descriptions. The term “qualification” is equivalent to “certification” within this standard. Each state will need to
5、use appropriate terminology consistent with state law and practices. 1.3. This guideline does not purport to address all possible events and procedures inherent in the administration and use of a technician certification program (TCP). 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 2.1. AASHTO Standards and Publications:
6、R 47, Reducing Samples of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) to Testing Size R 76, Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size T 2, Sampling of Aggregates T 11, Materials Finer Than 75-m (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing T 19M/T 19, Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate T 22, Compr
7、essive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens T 23, Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field T 27, Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates T 44, Solubility of Bituminous Materials T 84, Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate T 85, Specific Gravity and Absorption of
8、Coarse Aggregate T 89, Determining the Liquid Limit of Soils T 90, Determining the Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils T 99, MoistureDensity Relations of Soils Using a 2.5-kg (5.5-lb) Rammer and a 305-mm (12-in.) Drop 2018 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Offic
9、ials. All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.TS-5c R 25-2 AASHTO T 113, Lightweight Pieces in Aggregate T 119M/T 119, Slump of Hydraulic Cement Concrete T 121M/T 121, Density (Unit Weight), Yield, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Concrete T 152, Air Content of Freshly Mixe
10、d Concrete by the Pressure Method T 166, Bulk Specific Gravity (Gmb) of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Saturated Surface-Dry Specimens T 168, Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures T 176, Plastic Fines in Graded Aggregates and Soils by Use of the Sand Equivalent Test T 180, MoistureDensity Relations
11、of Soils Using a 4.54-kg (10-lb) Rammer and a 457-mm (18-in.) Drop T 196M/T 196, Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method T 209, Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity (Gmm) and Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) T 245, Resistance to Plastic Flow of Asphalt Mixtures Using Marshall
12、Apparatus T 255, Total Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying T 269, Percent Air Voids in Compacted Dense and Open Asphalt Mixtures T 283, Resistance of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures to Moisture-Induced Damage T 304, Uncompacted Void Content of Fine Aggregate T 308, Determining the Asphalt
13、Binder Content of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) by the Ignition Method T 309, Temperature of Freshly Mixed Portland Cement Concrete T 310, In-Place Density and Moisture Content of Soil and SoilAggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth) T 312, Preparing and Determining the Density of Asphalt Mixture Specim
14、ens by Means of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor T 329, Moisture Content of Asphalt Mixtures by Oven Method T 335, Determining the Percentage of Fracture in Coarse Aggregate T 355, In-Place Density of Asphalt Mixtures by Nuclear Methods Implementation Manual for Quality Assurance, Joint Construction
15、 Quality Assurance Task Force, 1995 Quality Assurance Guide Specification, Joint Construction Quality Assurance Task Force, 1995 2.2. ASTM Standards: D4791, Standard Test Method for Flat Particles, Elongated Particles, or Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate 3. INTRODUCTION 3.1. This gui
16、deline is provided to: Help individual states, and where desired, combinations of states and other public agencies develop a TCP for use in conjunction with quality assurance (QA) specifications as described in the Implementation Manual for Quality Assurance and the Quality Assurance Guide Specifica
17、tion. Describe the activities and organizational needs for the development and operation of a TCP that provides a flexible and effective means for ensuring qualified personnel perform sampling and testing. Identify the commonly used tests performed to ascertain material or product characteristics, f
18、or acceptance and/or payment under project contracts incorporating soils, aggregates, 2018 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.TS-5c R 25-3 AASHTO portland cement concrete (PCC), and asphalt mixt
19、ure. Examples of these tests are shown in Appendix X1. 3.1.1. A successful TCP requires the full support and commitment from agencies and industry that have a vested interest in technician training and certification. Involvement of all those with a common interest in technician training and certific
20、ation helps in understanding the multiple perspectives of the team members, and this, in turn, helps develop policies and procedures that will be supported by their respective organizations. 3.1.2. Development of an agreement at the program inception and prior to major changes is recommended as the
21、best means for gaining the needed understanding and support for the program. 3.1.3. Consideration of reciprocal agreements between states, and where feasible, regions, regarding materials technician certification acceptance is a means of addressing economy and business process efficiencies and shoul
22、d be an integral part of all TCPs. 3.2. Background: 3.2.1. Historic roles and responsibilities of industry and agencies have changed for sampling and testing activities under QA specifications. QA specifications allow the use of contractor test results in the acceptance decision, and the use of cons
23、ultants in independent assurance and verification sampling and testing programs. 3.2.2. Certification programs and associated training have been shown to be an effective tool for improving the quality of highways and bridges by verifying that essential knowledge and skills are possessed by agency or
24、 industry personnel who monitor, inspect, and control construction operations. Certification programs for personnel have proven to be useful, common “yardsticks” for measuring expertise and performance among public transportation agencies, private construction contractors, and independent materials
25、laboratories. 3.2.3. As the use of QA specifications increases, the need for TCPs as an equitable means for test result comparison and credibility between contract parties has become apparent. Each state using QC/QA specifications should have provisions requiring the use of certified technicians inv
26、olved in construction project testing and inspection activities. 4. PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT 4.1. Joint Sponsorship, Key to SuccessA successful TCP works best with the full support and commitment from all parties (agency and industry) that have a vested interest in technician
27、training and certification. Developing a partnership agreement at program inception and prior to any major changes is recommended as the best means for gaining needed understanding and support for a TCP. 4.2. TCP Oversight CommitteeState laws and state DOTs policies may dictate a state or regional T
28、CP structure, and restrictions on the language of the program charter and operation. Therefore, each state DOT should coordinate with its legal staff when developing their charter and bylaws for TCP governance and organizational structure. Note 1When developing a state or regional program whose byla
29、ws will include rules that require certification, recertification, and/or provision for decertification, legal review is needed. The identification of legal restrictions and identification of the TCP charter or franchise requirements, based on applicable state laws, will help the TCP manager and ove
30、rsight committee in the course of their duties to administer the program. 2018 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.TS-5c R 25-4 AASHTO 4.2.1. It is recommended that a TCP have an oversight commit
31、tee to provide TCP governance. Several alternatives are recommended for establishing an oversight committee: Establish a joint venture between public and private industry; Have the state DOT take the lead; or Have an educational institution or industry group take the lead. 4.2.2. Members of the over
32、sight committee typically include representatives from the following areas: state DOT personnel, contractors, suppliers, producers, independent laboratories, academia, private consultants, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Because these programs will impact contract requirements, an age
33、ncy manager should chair the oversight committee. Program oversight should be a joint effort of all of the entities represented on the oversight committee. 4.2.3. If the organization is a joint venture between agency and industry or between states, it may be incorporated as a nonprofit organization
34、in order to receive and disburse funds on a regular basis. 4.3. TCP ManagerIt is recommended that the oversight committee should identify a TCP manager as a single contact point. The TCP manager may coordinate all the following training activities: course development and curriculum; instructors and
35、hands-on trainers; test development and certification; training locations; manual development; class registration; and provision of supplies. 4.4. LocationIt is advisable to have a centralized administration at a regi onal or state level, which would include management, record keeping, scheduling, e
36、tc. Certification and training may also be done at the local level to better meet the customers needs. 4.5. FundingStart-up funds will be needed immediately to facilitate meetings, travel, printing, and other organizational functions. Possible start-up and developmental funding sources may include t
37、he following: State; Industry contributions; State Planning and Research (SP Federal Highway Administration; Contributed time, facilities or equipment from industry, consultants, and academia; or Other innovative funding mechanisms, such as loans paid back from generated income for courses. 4.5.1. M
38、ulti-state or regional involvement may result in additional funding sources and a decrease in costs to the individual participants. 4.5.2. Course fees should be reasonable but adequate to enable the program to become self-sufficient. It is necessary to make a long-term commitment and conduct the pro
39、gram as if it were a business, knowing that the program may lose money initially but should become self-sufficient after several years of operation. Areas where operational support may be available include the following: Manuals that are developed for certification and training may be sold publicly
40、provided that copyright laws are followed; Continued financial support from the agency and industry; Continued use of contributed facilities, equipment, etc., from the agency and industry. 4.6. Task GroupsA task group for each certifica tion area (asphalt mixture, portland cement concrete, soils, an
41、d aggregates): To develop requirements for training and certification programs; To establish experience and hands-on performance requirements; 2018 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.TS-5c R 25-
42、5 AASHTO To establish course outlines; and To establish examinations criteria. 4.7. Development of Options for TCPOptions for leading the development, administration, and implementation of TCP certification programs have been developed and implemented through cooperative partnerships among public ag
43、encies, private sector organizations, and educational institutions. Options should be considered when determining who will be asked to lead the development, administration, and implementation of a state or regional TCP. 4.7.1. Agency In-HouseAgency in-house TCPs usually assign responsibilities for d
44、eveloping, administering, and implementing a TCP into technical services, personnel/human resources, or product quality management areas. 4.7.1.1. The main advantages of an in-house TCP are: Lower costs to contractors; No cost to DOT employees; Trainers knowledgeable of subject matter and familiar w
45、ith specifications; Control of material being instructed; and In-house knowledge of TCP requirements for technicians skills, experience, certification or qualifications, recertification, and decertification. 4.7.1.2. The main disadvantages of the program are: Turnover of instructors; Fewer employees
46、 available to be instructors; and Fiscal and manpower costs to the state DOT. 4.7.2. ConsultantsUsing a third-party consultant to develop, administer, and implement a state or regional TCP is similar to outsourcing other non-core tasks within a government agency. The third-party consultant may be de
47、signated as a program director responsible for the day-to-day operations reporting directly to the oversight committee. Advantages of a third-party consultant include the availability of time and commitment to organizational needs, independence from all interested parties, and facilitating and overs
48、eeing the development of various programs to provide consistency between programs. A third-party consultant may also bring expertise and focus to the organization and provide the necessary staffing to expedite the product delivery schedule. 4.7.3. University/CollegeThe advantages of using a universi
49、ty or college to develop, administer, and implement a state or regional TCP are: Access to the diverse expertise found at a university or college; and Support facilities and services, e.g., mail, guest housing, meals, printing, janitorial, accounting, classrooms, laboratories, computers, fleet vehicles, student workers, and administration support staff. 4.7.4. Public/PrivateState and regional certification programs have been develope
