Title:
Inspection and Quality Assurance
Author(s):
Edward A. Abdunner
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
4
Issue:
9
Appears on pages(s):
58-62
Keywords:
concrete construction; inspection; quality
control; specifications; structural design.
DOI:
Date:
9/1/1982
Abstract:
Inspection is not an end in itself, but a subsystem of the quality assurance system. It is usually either part of the producer or contractor quality control process, or part of the owner acceptance procedure. In either case, the activity of inspection is the same but for different purposes -either quality control or acceptance. Inspectors have not been, in general, adequately trained or paid, have been asked to work long, hard hours under adverse conditions, and have been at the bottom of the totem pole in the technical area of construction. More often than not, the worker whose work they are inspecting is paid better and has better benefits than the inspector. Maybe we need a course with a degree in inspection; tion. In quality control, the inspector needs the support of the superintendent and foreman who can do a lot to inspect the work themselves. In a proper quality at-mosphere, the worker should be responsible for inspecting a lot of his work so as to develop pride and find the work more enjoyable-compensations over and above mere dollars.