N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 17 § 165.5

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 165.5 - Qualifications and responsibilities of bridge inspectors

(a) Field personnel:

(1) General and in-depth inspection. All field work shall be performed by an inspection team consisting of at least a team leader and an assistant team leader. The team leader shall be present at the bridge inspection site throughout the bridge inspection, shall personally inspect the bridge, supervise other inspection team member(s) to ensure that each bridge is properly inspected and shall ensure that the inspection results are properly documented. The team leader shall ensure that additional team members are appropriately qualified and trained for their required duties, such as, traffic control, debris removal, measurement or the preparation of sketches. A team leader must meet both of the following minimum qualifications:

(i) be currently registered with the New York State Education Department as a Professional Engineer (P.E.). An out-of-state P.E. registration may be substituted for a New York State P.E. provided that the individual received the P.E. based upon satisfactory completion of a 16 hour written examination, has applied for P.E. registration in New York State, and the New York State Education Department has acknowledged receipt of the individual's intent to practice in New York under subdivision (b) of section 7208 of the Education Law; and

(ii) have at least three years of bridge experience in design, construction, inspection or other bridge engineering related work. Civil engineering experience on department projects or programs may be substituted for all or a portion of the experience requirement in subparagraph (ii) herein, if the department determines, on the basis of the Department work, that the engineer possesses the necessary experience and skill. An assistant team leader must:

(a) possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program or an equivalent degree acceptable to the department; or

(b) possess an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or an equivalent Associate Degree determined to be acceptable by the department, and 1 1/2 years of bridge experience in design, construction, inspection or other bridge related work; or

(c) have at least three years of bridge experience in design, construction, inspection, or other bridge related work.

Civil engineering experience on department programs or projects may be substituted for all or a portion of the experience requirements in clauses (a) and (c) herein if the department determines, on the basis of the department work, that the person possesses the necessary experience and skill.

(2) Diving inspection. All field diving inspection work shall be performed by an inspection team. The size and the makeup of diving inspection teams will vary depending on field conditions and project methodology. However, a diving inspection team shall always include a team leader meeting the qualifications of a general inspection team leader, a diver, a dive tender, if necessary, and additional personnel that are necessary to complete the inspection effort in accordance with OSHA and other regulatory requirements. The team leader and the diver may be the same person, provided that person meets the qualifications of both positions. Divers shall have at least three years experience in construction diving and/or inspection diving activities in performing the same type of diving to be used for the inspection, either "scuba" or "surface supplied air". A dive tender shall meet all current applicable medical and OSHA requirements. In addition, a dive tender shall have at least two years responsible experience in construction diving and/or inspection diving activities.

(3) Special inspection. Field work for a special inspection shall be performed by an individual or an inspection team as the situation dictates. Minimum personnel qualifications cannot be standardized because of the widely varying situations requiring special inspections. The professional engineer in charge of such an inspection shall insure that individuals assigned to a special inspection effort are appropriately qualified and trained. This determination shall consider such factors as inspection difficulty and inspection criticality.

(b) Office personnel:

(1) Quality control engineer. The quality control engineer shall review and sign as "Reviewed By" all field inspection reports and shall meet the same qualifications specified for a general inspection team leader. An individual cannot function as a quality control engineer over work for which the individual was, or is, responsible.

(2) Load rating engineer. The load rating engineer directs, supervises and signs all structural capacity load rating calculations. The load rating engineer shall meet the same qualifications specified for a general inspection team leader.

(3) Load posting engineer. The load posting engineer shall make and sign all load posting determinations and shall meet the same qualifications specified for a general inspection team leader.

(4) Structural integrity evaluation engineer. The structural integrity evaluation engineer shall supervise the preparation of and signs all structural integrity evaluation reports and shall meet the same qualifications specified for a general inspection team leader.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 17 § 165.5