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By Greg Northcutt
A new certification program, developed and administered by Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) Inc., offers qualified technicians and inspectors in Canada and the United States the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in inspecting erosion control, sediment control, and stormwater management practices at construction sites.
The Certified Erosion, Sediment and Storm Water Inspector (CESSWI) program is designed to help enhance water quality by improving the process of inspecting the installation and maintenance of construction and post-construction best management practices (BMPs). The program certifies individuals with the experience, knowledge, and education to effectively observe and report the adequacy of these practices in meeting requirements of local, provincial, state, and federal (Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans or the USEPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) stormwater permitting programs. Specific provincial or state requirements may be added to the certification process in the future.
Industry Benefits
The CESSWI program promises to benefit all parties affected by these requirements, says Eric Scherer, CPESC, CPSWQ, of Kingston, RI, who chairs the CESSWI Board of Directors. “It gives CESSWI certificate holders a competitive edge by setting them apart from those who have not demonstrated a similar level of knowledge and skills,” he says. “Hiring a CESSWI to inspect construction sites puts a contractor or regulator in a better position to identify and correct any shortcomings in the use and maintenance of BMPs before problems occur. At the same time, by helping the building industry improve compliance with the requirements, the public’s interest in safeguarding air, water, and soil resources is protected.”
As implementation and enforcement of environmental protection laws and regulations have increased, so has the number of inspectors. However, their qualifications and the quality of their inspections can vary widely from one municipality, county, state, or province to another. This has slowed overall progress in reducing air and water pollutants discharged from construction sites by wind or runoff, Scherer notes. At the same time, improper installation and maintenance of BMPs can add significantly to construction costs in the form of repairs, project delays, and even fines, should these practices fail. The CESSWI program is designed to help address these problems by setting minimum standards for inspector qualifications and the way inspections are conducted.
“Although some municipalities and states have developed in-house inspector training programs, there have been no national or international standards for conducting these inspections until now,” says Ted Sherrod, P.E., CPESC, CPSWQ, of Raleigh, NC, who chairs the CPESC Inc. Executive Committee. “The CESSWI program identifies individuals who are technically and ethically qualified to provide consistent inspections of erosion, sediment and stormwater management practices anywhere in Canada or the United States,” he says.
The CESWWI credential does not replace the CPESC credential, notes Mell Nevils, P.E., CPESC, of Raleigh, NC, technical vice chair of the CESSWI Board of Directors. “A CPESC is qualified to prepare an erosion and sediment control plan and to inspect the way this plan is implemented,” he says. “However, the CESSWI certificate does not indicate qualifications to plan the appropriate erosion and sediment control practices for a site, only to inspect for implementation of the plan.”
The development and administrative role and code of ethics of CPESC Inc. in the CESSWI program adds to the integrity of the CESSWI credential, Nevils says.
“Not only does CPESC Inc. have a 25-year history of policing itself, but its certification procedures have been accepted in US courts,” he says.
The Certification Process
All CESSWI candidates must be approved by the Application Review currently composed of CPESC and Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ) registrants. You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and three years’ experience inspecting erosion control, sediment control, or stormwater management practices. In addition, you must successfully complete a written exam that covers basic inspection skills for erosion-, sediment-, and stormwater-related construction projects and subscribe to the CESSWI code of ethics. These requirements must be completed within one year of being approved as a CESSWI candidate. To maintain your CESSWI credential, you must earn at least 10 professional development units in a calendar year.
A review course to help applicants prepare for the written exam and the exam itself is being offered by IECA and IECA Chapters at various times and locations.
The written exam and the training/reference manual used in the review course have been developed by the CESSWI Oversight Committee. Nevils has directed the work of this group, which includes nine erosion and sediment control and stormwater management professionals. They represent various government agencies and private industry across Canada and the US. “The exam and manual provide comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the inspection process,” he says.
Areas covered include:
- Communications: the ability to discuss and write up inspection results in a clear, concise, and consistent manner
- Documentation: knowing what documents are required and how to prepare them
- Inspector duties: what an inspector must do from the pre-construction conference through preparation and distribution of the inspection report
- Safety: awareness of any hazardous activities or materials on the job site and use of proper personal safety equipment
- Understanding plans: the ability to determine that BMPS are selected and installed according to plan designs and drawings
More information about the CESSWI certification program and application is available at www.cpesc.org.
EC - September/October 2007 |
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