Utah Admin. Code 616-2-15

Current through Bulletin 2024-23, December 1, 2024

Section R616-2-15 - Deputy Boiler/Pressure Vessel Inspectors

A. Purpose -- Section 34A-7-10 of the Safety Act ("the Act"; Title 34A, Chapter 7, Part One, Utah Code Annotated) permits the Division of Boiler, Elevator and Coal Mine Safety ("the Division") to authorize qualified individuals to inspect boilers and pressure vessels as "deputy inspectors." This rule sets forth the Division's procedures and standards for authorizing deputy inspectors, monitoring their performance, and suspending or revoking such authority when appropriate.

B. Initial appointment of deputy inspectors.

1. An applicant for initial Division authorization to inspect boilers and pressure vessels as a deputy inspector must satisfy the following requirements in the order listed below:

a. A company insuring boilers and pressure vessels in Utah ("sponsoring employer" hereafter) must submit a letter to the Division certifying that:

i. the applicant is employed by the sponsoring employer; and

ii. the sponsoring employer requests the Division authorize the applicant to inspect boilers and pressure vessels insured by that employer;

b. The applicant or sponsoring employer must submit to the Division a current, valid certification from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Certification ("National Board") that the applicant is qualified to inspect boilers and pressure vessels;

c. The applicant or sponsoring employer must submit an application fee of $25 to the Division;

d. The applicant must complete training for deputy inspectors provided by the Division;

e. The applicant must pass an oral examination administered by the Division pertaining to boiler and pressure vessel inspection standards and processes; and

f. The applicant must pass a written, closed-book examination administered by the Division on the Division's boiler/Pressure Vessel Compliance Manual, Rules, and codes adopted;

2. Upon successful completion of the foregoing requirements, the Division will appoint the applicant as a deputy inspector and will issue credentials to that effect. The Division will also notify the sponsoring employer of the appointment.

3. Initial appointment as a deputy inspector terminates at the end of the calendar year in which such appointment is made unless a deputy inspector qualifies for reappointment under paragraph C of this rule.

C. Annual reappointment of deputy inspectors.

1. Effective January 1 of each year, the Division will renew the appointment of each deputy inspector for an additional year if the inspector satisfies the following requirements:

a. The individual was authorized to serve as a deputy inspector as of December 31 of the previous year;

b. A sponsoring employer has submitted a letter to the Division certifying that:

i. the individual is employed by the sponsoring employer; and

ii. The sponsoring employer requests the Division to reappoint that individual as a deputy inspector to inspect boilers and pressure vessels for that employer;

c. The individual or sponsoring employer has submitted to the Division a current, valid certification from the National Board establishing that the individual is qualified as a boiler and pressure vessel inspector;

d. The individual or sponsoring employer has submitted to the Division the required renewal fee of $20;

e. The individual has completed the Division's required training for deputy inspectors.

2. An individual who does not meet each of the foregoing requirements is not eligible for reappointment as a deputy inspector and must instead meet each of the requirements for initial appointment under paragraph B of this rule.

D. Lapse, change of employment and loss of National Board certification.

1. Lapse. An individual's appointment as a deputy inspector will lapse if the individual:

a. Does not renew the appointment by satisfying the requirements of paragraph C of this rule;

b. Does not perform and submit to the Division at least one boiler or pressure vessel inspection during the previous calendar year; or

c. Fails to inform the Division of any change in status of employment with his or her sponsoring employer as required in the following paragraph D.2. of this rule.

2. Change in employment.

a. A deputy inspector must immediately notify the Division in writing of any change in the status of the inspector's employment with his or her sponsoring employer.

b. If the Division determines that an individual previously appointed as a deputy inspector is no longer employed by a company authorized to insure boilers and pressure vessels in Utah, the Division will immediately revoke that individual's appointment.

c. If the Division determines that a deputy inspector has changed employment to another company that insures boilers and pressure vessels in Utah, the Division will require the new employer or deputy inspector to submit the following:

i. A letter from the new employer:

AA. certifying that the individual is employed by that sponsoring employer; and

BB. requesting that the individual's appointment as a deputy inspector be continued;

ii. A current, valid certification as a boiler/pressure vessel inspector from the National Board; and

iii. Payment to the Division of the required fee of $20.

3. National Board Certification.

a. Every deputy inspector shall at all times hold a current valid certification as a boiler/pressure vessel inspector from the National Board.

b. Each deputy inspector shall immediately notify the Division if his or her National Board certification has been revoked or suspended.

c. If the Division has reason to believe that a deputy inspector's National Board certification has been revoked or suspended, the Division will obtain written verification from the National Board. IF the National Board has in fact revoked or suspended the deputy inspector's certification, the Division will revoke the inspector's appointment as a deputy inspector.

E. Scope of authority. Appointment as a deputy inspector has the limited effect of authorizing the deputy inspector to inspect boilers and pressure vessels insured by his or her sponsoring employer for compliance with engineering codes and other standards adopted by the Division in Utah Administrative Code Rule R616-2. The Division expressly does not confer any other authority to deputy inspectors. Deputy inspectors remain employees of their respective sponsoring employers and are not employees of the Division or agents of the Division for any other purpose. A deputy inspector's right to inspect any particular boiler or pressure vessel, including the deputy inspector's right of entry on the premises where the boiler or pressure vessel is located, is subject to the agreement between the sponsoring employers and the owner or operator of the boiler or pressure vessel. Appointment as a deputy inspector by the Division does not confer any right of entry independent from the terms of such agreement.

F. Inspection Standards

1. In inspecting any boiler or pressure vessel, a deputy inspector shall apply the standards and engineering codes adopted in Utah Administrative Code R616-2 - Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules.

2. Each deputy inspector must use the Division's web-based applications to accurately record and submit all information regarding boilers and pressure vessels, including;

a. inspection reports;

b. scrapped and inactive items;

c. information changes other than those requiring submission of a Change of Insurance Status Form (NB4); and

d. a Web Issue Form (Form WIF-01) to identify any error or other issue resulting from the deputy inspector's use of the Division's web-based applications.

G. Quality Control. The Division will evaluate the performance of each deputy inspector to assure compliance with the Division's standards for boiler and pressure vessel inspections.

1. The Division's Business Analyst will review each inspection report submitted by a deputy inspector and will report any serious errors to the Chief Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector ("Chief Inspector") for appropriate action.

2. Each year, the Chief Inspector will evaluate a sample of each deputy inspector's inspections performed during that year for compliance with Division standards.

3. In addition to the reviews undertaken pursuant to paragraph G.2. of this rule, the Chief Inspector will also investigate any observation or report of an inspection deficiency to determine whether the deputy inspector complied with Division standards and rules in performing and reporting the inspection.

H. Corrective Action, Revocation and Right to Hearing.

1. If the Chief Inspector concludes that a deputy inspector does not satisfy requirements of this rule for continued appointment as a deputy inspector or has performed an inspection in a manner that is inconsistent with Division standards, the Chief Inspector will submit a written report and may recommend corrective action to the Division Director.

2. Depending on the circumstances and the seriousness of the situation, corrective action may include;

a. warning letter;

b. requirements for additional training;

c. requirements for retesting;

d. request review by the National Board;

e. additional supervision; and

f. revocation of appointment as a deputy inspector.

3. The Division Director shall forward a copy of the Chief Inspector's written report and any recommendation for corrective action to the deputy inspector and the sponsoring employer. If the deputy inspector or sponsoring employer dispute the report or recommended corrective action, the Division Director shall schedule time and place to conduct a hearing on the matter, such hearing to be conducted as an informal adjudicative proceeding under the Utah Administrative Procedures Act. After conducting such hearing, the Division Director will issue a written decision setting forth the material facts and ordering appropriate corrective action, if any. The Division Director shall forward a copy of the decision to the deputy inspector, sponsoring employer, and the National Board.

4. If the deputy inspector or sponsoring employer is dissatisfied with the Division Director's decision, the inspector or sponsoring employer may seek judicial review as provided by the Utah Administrative Procedures Act.

Utah Admin. Code R616-2-15