Responses to recent comments or complaints.
This page contains the Program Director's responses to comments or complaints about the training and certification process.
Comment/complaint - Two similar complaints.
Complaint #1. I would like to see if it is possible for the liaisons employees that come out to the field and test are inspectors to watch the inspectors run the test that they are asked to run and as long as the inspector uses the correct tools and equipment there should not be any reason to ask the inspectors all the questions like how much does your hammer weight or what is the + - of the weight of that hammer. If the inspector has the correct equipment and tools and runs the test correctly a person can watch the inspector run the test and see if he or she knows what they are doing just by them using the correct tools for the test. I think this would help alot of the people out because they have a job to do and dont have time to be studing all the time with + and - on the weight of hammers are lenghts of rods. are inspector are equiped with the correct tools and use them on a daily bases. they dont use pick up any tool and use it. it would just cut down on alot of stress of the inspectors , they already get tested like crazy one inspector was tested for concrete three times in one year alittle over kill i think. I guess my point is if you watch a person run the test with the correct tools and runs it correctly why ask them any questions on the procdure. If a person pulls out the wrong tool and equipment to run a test then I could see asking this person questions about the tolls and equipment for that test because they probly dont know what they are doing. Also if a inspector gets tested for concrete in the first 1/4 of the year why test them again the same year that sould be good enough for that year.
Complaint #2. My complaint is about the "Random Selection" process for IA Evaluation. It is supposed to be random but somehow this Residency is having half of its inspectors tested every single time. Also, I have inspectors that are having to be tested over the same thing repeatedly (for example: I have an inspector that has had to be tested for concrete 3 times in a years time). I think this "Random Selection" process needs to be evaluated some. If you have been tested for concrete then I think you shouldn't be able to be drawn for concrete for a year.
Response
The evaluation of technicians by ODOT's Independent Assurance personnel is part of an internal Department program over which the Highway Construction Materials Technician Certification Board has no authority or influence. Board certification and IA evaluation are separate processes controlled by separate entities. Therefore, complaints regarding the IA evaluations should be directed to the IA branch of the ODOT Materials Division. The above complaints have been forwarded to the appropriate authority.
Comment/complaint
ALTERNATIVE TO THE RE-CERT 5 YEAR REQUIREMENT. PERSONALLY IF FEEL 5 YEARS IS TOO OFTEN. IF SOMEONE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A CONCRETE CYLINDER THEY KNOW HOW. WHEN THEY ARE 96 YEARS OLD THEY STILL COULD TELL YOU HOW TO MAKE A CONCRETE CYLINDER.
OR DO A GRADATION. THINGS WE DO EVERYDAY OVER AND OVER.
I SUBMIT THIS: CHANGE RE-CERTS TO 10 YEARS, EVERY TWO YEARS GO TO A (REFRESHER COARSE OR CALL IT CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS C.E.U. LIKE P.E. OR R.N. HAS TO DO. EVERY 10 YEAR YOU HAVE TO HAVE 5 CEU)HELD AT DIV OFFICE. WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DEMO SAY LIKE IN CONCRETE CERT THE HARDEST THING WE DO A AIR METER CALIB. THE CLASS WOULD UPDATE ALL THE NEWEST SPEC CHANGES.
THE INSTRUCTORS WOULD GIVE A WRITEN TEST JUST LIKE THEY DO NOW, IF SOMEONE MISSED X QUESTIONS IN ONE SECTION THEN THE INSTRUCTOR COULD REQUIRE THEM TO DO MORE DETAILED LAB DEMO OF THAT ITEM. OR EVEN HAVE THEM RE-CERT ON THAT SECTION. SAY LIKE ASPH CERT. I ALSO THINK THE IAS PERSONNEL SHOULD BE INVOLVED IT THE PROCESS, POSSIBLY BE ONE OF THE 3 INSTRUCTORS. THIS MIGHT EVEN HELP WITH THE IAS FIELD EVALUATIONS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO. THIS CLASS COULD HAVE 50-100 PEOPLE PRESENT INSTEAD OF THE SMALL AMOUNT IN A CERT CLASS. IF YOU MISSED THEY CLASS IN YOU DIVISION YOU COULD MAKE IT UP BY GOING TO A CLASS HELD AT ONE OF THE OTHER DIVISIONS.
IN MATERIAL TESTING MANY THINGS WE DO EVERYDAY OVER AND OVER AND WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS WE TEST MATERIAL, I FEEL THAT RE-CERTING ON THOSE SAMES THING EACH TIME SHOULD NOT BE DONE, GOING TO CEU CLASSES TO GET UPDATED INFO, & NEW SPEC INFO SUCH AS A CHANGED TEST PROCEDURE OR DIFFERENT TEMP SPEC AND PASSING A TEST SHOWING YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THAT INFORMATION WOULD BE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND I BELIEVE A CERT COMBINED WITH C.E.U. WOULD SATISFY THE RE-CERT PROCESS FOR THE FED. REQUIREMENT.
Response
The issue of an abbreviated recertification process has been discussed at several Board meetings. Suggestions similar to those you have articulated have been considered, but the Board's decision to continue the current practice remains. Your concerns and suggestions address the official Board rules which can only be altered with the approval of the state legislature. Concerns of this nature are best directed to the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting. We encourage anyone with an interest in the program policies and procedures to contact the Program Director and make a request to have a specific issue added to the agenda. If you request an agenda item, it is highly recommended that you attend the meeting at which your item is scheduled for discussion so that you may present your idea and take part in the deliberation.
Comment/complaint
Should not the liaisons be held to the same qualifications as evaluators....and why are they doing this????
can we also evaluate them???????? who came up with this....we have already been certified....will this eventually do away with recertification???
Response
This response assumes that the subject of the comment is the periodic evaluation of technicians' by the ODOT Materials Division's Liaison Branch. Liaison personnel are approved to evaluate technicians by the Materials Division. Criteria for approval is not specified by the Board so the Materials Division is responsible for developing and administering the approval process. Evaluations conducted by the Liaison Branch outside of HCMTCB certification modules are not part of the Board certification process, they are part of the Independent Assurance function of the ODOT Materials Division. The Board does not currently have a plan for abbreviating the recertification procedure.
Comment/complaint
Your website says you are now responsible to post changes to AASHTO and OHDL procedure changes on your website. Your website doesn't include the AASHTO and OHDL procedures you initially train. Why would post changes to unposted procedures? Also, why are you not required to refer folks to the Materials Division website for the most current procedures? I thought that's where they were oficially maintained. You guys need to decide who is responsible for what and then let the responsible party handle things. It is rediculous for the same things to be maintained on multiple, separated websites. Users don't know where the official source for their information is.
Response
A list of all AASHTO and OHD L procedures for which we certify can be found at the end of the "Module Descriptions, Fees, and Certification Requirements" page which is accessed from the first link on our home page. AASHTO procedures are ordered from AASHTO, 444 N. Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 249, Washington, D.C. 20001. (202) 624-5800 or on the internet at www.transportation.org. OHD L procedures are maintained by and available from the ODOT Materials Division. (405) 521-2677. They can be accessed through the "ODOT Materials Division" link on our home page. Each RHCMT should have access to these documents through his or her employer. The official source for AASHTO procedures is AASHTO and the official source for OHD L procedures is the ODOT Materials Division. This site only provides a list of the procedures for which we certify and, while registered technicians are individually responsible for keeping current on all pertinent procedures, updates for those procedures will be posted here as a service to RHCMTs and applicants.
Comment/complaint
Hi Steve! (and everyone else) Is it possible to have the agendas for the scheduled meetings posted in advance so that if a certain area of concern is on the agenda I and other Technicians can prepare and schedule attendance?
Response
Unfortunately, the agenda is not usually drafted until the week before the meeting. The draft is tentative and subject to change up to 24 hours before the meeting is scheduled to begin. The official version may be obtained from this site any time after the 24 hour deadline has past.
