Let’s put first things, first.

Before performing any physical inspection work, an inspector has a lot of preparation and planning to do. What sort of preparation and planning you may ask?

Preparation includes:

1. A thorough review of all project documents including commercial and technical documents, i.e.,
   1. Request for Proposal and related Owner generated commercial documents, e.g.
      1. Work Scope
      2. Work Schedule
      3. Documentation Requirements
      4. Reporting Requirements
   2. Project coating technical and related documents, e.g.
      1. Coating Specification including Referenced Documents
      2. Product and Safety Data Sheets for all materials (not just the coatings)
      3. Coating Application Guidelines
      4. Inspection and Test Plan (ITP)
          
2. Review of inspection instruments required for the project, i.e.
   1. Do you have all the required tools?
   2. Are the tools functional?
   3. Do you have current calibration certificates for each instrument?
   4. Do you have the necessary auxiliary equipment for on-site verification of accuracy?
       
3. Preparing for and attending the Pre-Job Conference, i.e.
   1. Based on your review of the project documents, prepare a list of questions you need answered before commencing any physical inspections.
   2. Attend the pre-job conference as an active listener and participant as required.
   3. If your questions are not answered through the course of the meeting, before the meeting concludes, ask your questions so they become part of the meeting minutes.
   4. If necessary, follow-up with the chair post-meeting to ensure you have your questions answered.

Planning includes:

1. Setting up an on-site pre-work initial meeting with the individuals you will be interacting with during the project. In my view the most important individual you need to establish a working relationship with is the foreman/supervisor who is directing the work.
    
2. Reviewing the ITP with the Contractors’ foreman and other inspectors, as well as the Owner’s representative to ensure you all have a common understanding of the requirements including which inspections are “hold points” versus “observation only” inspections.
    
3. Setting up a pre-liminary inspection schedule that matches the ITP requirements and works for all concerned.
    
4. Confirm the reporting hierarchy and perform a joint review of your proposed inspection report forms to ensure they suit the requirements outlined by the Owner and work for the Contractor.
    
5. Have a separate meeting with the Owner’s representative to discuss your plans to ensure they will work for the Owner.

In Summary:

Never start an inspection project without first ensuring you have a “crystal clear” understanding of all the project requirements as defined by the commercial and technical documents issued for the project.

Ensure you have all the necessary inspection tools and auxiliary equipment before you arrive on-site.

Work hard to establish a “working relationship” with the Contractor and Owner representatives.