Audits & Submittals

Industrial paint contracting firms are evaluated using the required application submittals (basic business operations and quality programs), then an experienced SSPC auditor performs an impartial on-site audit of an active job site.

Key areas of focus:

• Knowledge
• Organization
• Personnel
• Procedures
• Qualifications
• Overall capability to provide quality work on complex industrial/marine structures.

Audits are performed yearly and usually require 2 days:

• Painting contractors - 1 day at an active job site and 1 day in the headquarter offices,
• inspection companies - 2 days in the headquarter offices.

The audit of an active job-site and headquarter offices serves to verify the information submitted in the application and confirm that certification program guidelines are being actively used.

Internal Audit Checklists for each certification can be found using the Forms, Lists and Applications link above.

• Management procedures
• Quality control
• Safety and environmental compliance
• Technical capabilities

What QP 1 contractors must have on the job site for an audit.

QP 2 audits require industrial painting contractors to demonstrate active use of additional procedures in handling hazardous paint:

• Authority and responsibility
• Company policy
• Technical capabilities
• Training and experience
• Environmental compliance programs (SSPC-Guide 7, 40 CFR Parts 260-263, 268)
• Safety compliance programs (29 CFR 1926.62, OSHA, NIOSH)

What QP 2 contractors must have on the job site for an audit.

QP 3 audits include components from both QP 1 and QP 2 as they apply to shop coating operations.

• Clearly defined organization
• Handling client complaints
• Management authority and experience
• Method of maintaining consistent inspection services
• Physical requirements of inspection staff
• Policy of experience requirements
• Policy of inspection services review
• Program for discrepancy resolution
• QA/QC program
• Standard for use and maintenance of inspection equipment
• Schedule for inspector maintenance training

Aside from the obvious benefit of not undergoing an audit, all contractors approved for RAP also have relief from audit fees while in the program. The program cycle is 3 years. Here are the basic RAP guidelines:

Eligibility

• The contractor must have passed their initial audit and the following 2 annual audits
• During the previous 3 audits:
  • none of the QP 1 critical items should have been rated less than "2" - or - for non-critical items, have received more than 4 ratings less than a "2"
  • the QP 2 audits can should not have resulted in a major Corrective Action Report - or - more than 4 minor Corrective Action Reports
• The RAP can be applied to both or either the QP 1 and QP 2 programs
• No major organizational changes in the last 3 years of certification

Loss of Eligibility

• Failure to pass any certification or random audit
• Major organizational change to the contractor's firm
• Any SSPC disciplinary action issued (Warning, Probation, Suspension)
• Voluntary discontinue/disruption of certification by the contractor

Restoration of Eligibility

Duration of Eligibility

• 3 years
• 4th year requires the contractor to pass a full audit in order to be eligible for a new 3 year RAP term

• Any contractor who fails to cooperate with the program auditor, or fails to provide access to data, personnel or on site premises, has given cause for denial, suspension or revocation of SSPC certification status.
• Contractors in the Random Audit Program may be chosen for an audit in any or all of the 3 years

RAP details are in the QP 1 and QP 2 applications.