Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1 (Course & Exam)

Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1

This is the QC technician who must be qualified to perform acceptance tests such as nuclear density tests, Speedy moisture, sampling soils and reporting results in the Earthwork Records System (ERS).

Personnel who test earthwork to verify material quality, resolve disputes or perform Independent Assurance (IA) must also possess this qualification.

A qualified Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1 technician should safely and effectively sample soil materials from the roadway, take earthwork density readings and record-and-store data into the Department’s ERS database. The qualification requirements for Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1 are designed to be completed by a newly hired employee with minimal guidance.

There are three (3) requirements for Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1

qualification:

1. Hold a valid nuclear radiation safety certificate. Department employees who have completed the Safety and Control Equipment with Radioactive Materials Course (ST-06-0001) satisfy this requirement. Applicants must certify that they meet/don’t meet this requirement on the application.
2. Pass the Earthwork Level 1 written examination.
3. Pass the Earthwork Level 1 proficiency examination.

After a trainee meets these qualification requirements, the trainee’s FDOT qualification date will be added to the training database. The date of qualification shall be the date both the proficiency and written examination are passed.

Qualification shall be effective for five (5) years (60 months).

ECI Level 1 Training Course

A one and one-half day training course is offered for Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1.

Topics covered in this course are listed below:

(1) FM 1-R 090 Sampling Aggregates

(2) FM 1-T 238 Density of Soils and Bituminous Concrete Mixtures in Place by the Nuclear Method.

(3) FM 5-507 Determination of Moisture Content by Means of a Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Moisture Tester.

(4) Overview of Earthwork Records System

On the second day, a written examination (usually multiple choice) and the proficiency examination are administered.

Training course attendance is encouraged but is not required for qualification.

Written Examination

A 2-hour multiple choice written examination is administered on the second day of the Earthwork Construction Inspection Level 1 qualification course. The passing score for this examination is 70%.

The written examinations are electronically graded by the CTQP Administrator and posted in the Training Qualification Database System (TQDBS). Two weeks should be allowed for grading and posting of the examination results. Trainees can access these results through the CTQP website.

Proficiency Examination

A trainee must demonstrate proficiency in Florida Methods (FM), specifically in the Density of Soils and Bituminous Concrete Mixtures in Place by Nuclear Method (FM 1-T 238), the Determination of Moisture Content by Means of a Calcium Carbide Gas Pressure Moisture Tester (FM 5-507) (also known as the “Speedy Moisture Test”), and reporting the test results in to the ERS Forms 675-020-27 and 675-020-28. Technicians using Electronic ERS is still required to demonstrate the proficiency in filling out the forms.

A checklist is used for each of these areas. The trainee will have up to two opportunities on the same day to successfully demonstrate all items on the checklist for each area. If the trainee fails to properly demonstrate any item on a checklist the instructor will allow up to one additional proficiency evaluation on the same day. Two failures in one area will constitute failure of the proficiency examination. Anyone failing the proficiency examination may apply for a future proficiency examination. The application must be completed, and appropriate fee paid to the provider.