The New APIP Website has gone live. We have added a number of new features, including a Blog, and a Members Area. Please report any issues you may find by using our <a href='/contact-apip.html'>contact form</a>.

The APIP was recently recognized in the October 2008 issue of Inspection Trends Magazine published by the American Welding Society. The article, titled "Solving the Inspector Shortage", focused on the ATTC and its success since the program began in July of 2007.

This new APIP website has an updated design and some new features, which includes; a Blog (with a news feed you can subscribe to using RSS), a Members Area, and a place for Member Companies to add Inspection Jobs.

Behind the scenes, the website has been updated to give the APIP Administrator more control, which means that almost everything on the website can be updated without the delay of waiting for a programmer.

If you have any industry news or articles, please send them in so they can be published to the new APIP Blog.

APIP Member Companies should check their listings and send in any missing information or corrections for the website.

Member Companies are encouraged to list job openings.

We had a good turnout for the Fall General Meeting at the Battleground Golf Course. Approximately 67 attendees enjoyed the food, fellowship, updates, presentations, door prizes and scholarship awards.

Our thanks to the Member Companies who provided the great variety and high quality door prizes. Their logos and company names are being spread around the plants and businesses by the prize winners, a good example of cost effective marketing and public relations.
Kelley Jones gave us the latest API update, emailed by Steve Wells directly from the API conference. Sherry Jones provided an update on the ATTC NDT/Inspector training program status and future plans.

ASURiO Corporation described the key elements of their computerized document management system software and hardware. Several companies have expressed interest in potential applications.

Congratulations to the following Scholarship Awards winners:

Kamran Majeed - RustBusters API 571 Class
Brian Holbrook - APIP $500 Scholarship Award
Chris Caseima - MSTS Mark Smith API Training Class
Michael Hunold - TGR John Allgood RT Film Interpretation Class
Mike Ledbetter - DTM Dave McGrath API 510 Training Class
Don Shephel - Lee Sweeten API 653 Training Class
Leslie Ward - TWI Floyd Baker, Advanced NDT Technology Course
Lynn Newsom - APIP $500 Scholarship Award
Chris Clark - Hellier NDT Course

Mark Briggs, OSHA Houston South Area provided this information at the 2009 API Inspector Summit:

Refinery Audits
OSHA is conducting National Emphasis Program Audits at all 152 US refineries.
VPP Star plants are exempted initially, but they will be audited
First priority is on Region 6, Gulf Coast, 69 refineries

Chemical Plant Audits
Audits of chemical plants will commence at stand alone NE/NW/N sites

Audit Schedule
Plan to complete audits of all Refineries and Chemical plants by Jan 2011

Audit Questions
OSHA publishes a static list of 95 questions that will be asked
Additionally, OSHA will use a dynamic list of 8-15 questions, not published

Audit Notification
OSHA will not provide advance notice, audits will be an announcement at the gate "We would like to see your plant manager".

Duration of Audits
Audits must be completed within 6 months, most take 3-4 months

Preparation for Audits
Key words for plant management include; Have current knowledge of industry history, events, and issues and application of best technology supported by evidence of due diligence

API RP 578, 2nd edition, has been balloted, reviewed and approved. API has advised that it is being prepared for publication by mid-year 2009.

This RP is now referred to by OSHA in their National Emphasis Program Directive CPL 03-00-004 for audits of refineries and chemical plants. An audit question for PMI, (summarized) below:

"Does the employer ensure that replacement piping is suitable for its process application?"
If no, possible violations include:
(119(j)(4)(ii) - the employer did not follow *RAGAGEP when it failed to conduct positive material identification (PMI) testing for existing piping systems. (An example RAGAGEP for PMI testing includes API RP 578. CSB (Chemical Safety Board) Safety Bulletin- Positive Material Verification: Prevent Errors During Alloy Steel Systems Maintenance."


*RAGAGEP= Recognized and generally acceptable good engineering practices.

API
2010 Meetings
April 26-28th, New Orleans
November 15-17th, Nashville
Note: The next Inspectors Summit is the 3rd week of January 2011, Galveston

ASNT
Greater Houston Area SNT meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday, each month
The Fall 2010 ASNT Conference is in Houston, November 15-19th.

AWS (www.awshouston.org)


ASME (www.asmesouthtexas.org)
Apr 22nd,2010 ASME Trade Show , Pasadena

NACE (www.nace.org)

A Letter of Thanks To San Jacinto College’s 51 Company
Partners on the Texas Workforce Commission
Skills Development Fund “APIP” Grant Project

On behalf of San Jacinto College, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the collaboration, cooperation, and sustained participation by our company partners in concluding our initial training project under the APIP Grant. Our allocation of just over $3 million was successfully utilized to train more than 1,200 individuals in over 30 courses for a total of approximately 2,900 enrollments. That represents a training value of $2,500 per trainee. Our project began in April 2007 and concluded March 31, 2009. We are in a 60-day close-out process to finalize all data and reports.

The college has been asked by several of our company partners about a subsequent application to the TWC to request additional funds to meet continuing training needs within this industry group. That is certainly a future possibility. Please be assured that should such another initiative begin, we will be in contact with each of our 51 company contacts and other industry representatives to provide relevant information about participation in a second application.

Thank you for your efforts and support of this project. I look forward to continuing our relationship in future endeavors.

Regards

Gayle Gallaher, San Jacinto College

The Business and Industry Connection (BIC) publication graciously donated a feature article to the APIP in their April 2009 publication.

The APIP feature, on page 19 of BIC magazine is entitled " Plant Inspection Association improves, enhances inspection industry"

The Board of Directors of APIP want to convey our appreciation to BIC for supporting our non-profit association of business owners and individual members.