1. Introduction to SSPC CAS Program
Presented by: Anton Ruesing, IUPAT DC78 - Florida Finishing Trades Institute

2. Learning Outcomes This webinar will discuss: SSPC ACS-1/NACE No. 13
SSPC CAS Transition Plan
Levels of CAS Qualification and Certification
CAS for SSPC-QP 1 Certified Contractors
How to Get CAS Certified

3. Introduction
This webinar provides an overview of the education, training, experience, knowledge and skills required by an Application Specialist to prepare and apply protective coatings to steel surfaces of complex industrial structures in accordance with SSPC Application Certification Standard No. 1/NACE No.13

4. SSPC ACS-1/NACE No. 13
Applicator Certification Standard No. 1 Industrial Coating and Lining Application Specialist Qualification and Certification
Long overdue consensus standard to comprehensively assess & recognize the skills of the industrial painter

5. SSPC ACS-1: Scope
Scope defines criteria for education, training, experience, knowledge and skills required for the professional industrial painter

6. SSPC ACS-1: Application Specialist Defined
An individual who engages in surface preparation and application of protective coatings and linings to steel surfaces of complex industrial structures

7. SSPC ACS-1: Body of Knowledge
A list of required areas of knowledge and skills contained within the standard
The required level of competency and cognition, or understanding, for each area of knowledge and skill listed in the standard

8. SSPC ACS-1: Training Qualification Levels
Level I: Basic knowledge of industrial coatings and linings
Level II: Detailed knowledge and skills of industrial coatings and linings
Level III: Supervisory knowledge and skills (Available in 2013)

9. SSPC ACS-1: Level I Requirements
Skills assessment: math, reading, document use
Literacy in language of the workplace (English in the U.S.)
Successful completion of skills tests on standard Body of Knowledge

10. SSPC ACS-1: Level II Requirements
Successful completion of Level I requirements
Qualify to take Level II exams through a combination of training hours and work experience
Successful completion of Level II exams

11. SSPC ACS-1: Level II Hours & Training
Three tracks to certification:
Three-year apprenticeship: 3,000 related work experience with 450 min. coating tech. training OR
Five years (5,000 hours) related work experience and 450 min. coating tech. training OR
Eight years (8,000 hours) related work experience

12. SSPC ACS-1: Level III Requirements
Level II plus:
Basic supervisory knowledge and skills
Basic training knowledge and skills
Basic communication knowledge

13. SSPC ACS-1: Level III Hours and Training
Qualification to Level II and min. five years related work experience OR
Five years min. of verifiable work experience in inspection or supervision of coating-related work for complex industrial structures after completion of the requirements
Successful completion of Level III examination

14. SSPC ACS-1: Training Qualification Levels
Specialty:
Level II plus:
Detailed knowledge and skills of specialty areas as identified in the standard

15. SSPC CAS Program SSPC Coating Applicator Specialist (CAS):
First professional certification program for the industrial painter in the USA
Incorporates SSPC ACS-1 training design principles

16. Why CAS? Sets the standard for a trained and qualified workforce
Develops skilled workforce needed to apply sophisticated materials safely
Defines the industrial painter as a profession to attract young workers to the trade

17. SSPC Transition Plan
10-yr. ramp-up to full implementation of ACS-1
Gives industry adequate time to build training and certification infrastructure

18. CAS Levels of Recognition
Level I Qualification = Trainee
Level II Certification = (Core area Transition Plan Body of Knowledge and grasp of fundamental blasting and painting skills)
Level II + Specialty Supplemental Programs
Level III = Level II + Supervisory Skills

19. CAS Level I Qualification
For the painter in training who has knowledge of good painting practices
Achieved through completion of skills assessments (reading, writing, and arithmetic basics)
Pass written exam on elementary knowledge
Customarily works with or under the supervision of a Level II or III Application Specialist

20. Interim Status
Provides owners who want to specify a ratio of certified craftworkers to trainees on a job ready pool of qualified, “certified,” painters

21. CAS Level II-Interim Status
Designed for craftworkers in current workforce who have the skills but lack the 450 formal training hrs required by ACS-1
Provides the opportunity to achieve professional certification in the near term

22. Level II Certification (Interim and Full Status)
Defines requirements for the experienced industrial painter able to work independently
May need traditional supervision but can prepare, start, stop, and clean-up without direction (synthesis; articulation)
Both currently available from SSPC
Initial SSPC focus: interim status

23. Level II Interim-Requirements
Minimum 150 hrs job-related classroom training & 2 yrs documented experience OR
Minimum 3 yrs experience without classroom training
Pass hands-on and written exams
Must convert to full status after (2) 3yr terms

24. Level III Certification
Painters who have the skills to plan and oversee or supervise painters (evaluation; naturalization)

25. Level III Certification
Requirements: Level II hrs of related experience after Level II OR
1,500 hrs work experience (inspection, supervision, project management)
Pass Level III written exam
Available after 2013 when 1st CAS Level II interim terms expire

26. How to Get CAS Certified
Complete applications for each applicant
Have a test site that meets SSPC CAS exam facility requirements
Request an SSPC-approved proctor to give the certification exam

27. CAS Credit for C-7 & C-12
SSPC will give credit to CAS Level II applicants with C-7 (Abrasive Blaster) and/or C-12 (Airless Sprayer) Certifications
Must still meet experience requirements and pass CAS Level II written exam

28. CAS and QP-1

29. CAS for SSPC-QP 1 Certified Contractors 2013
Jan. 1, 2013: one (1) CAS Certified (Level II-Interim min.) craftworker on each QP 1 contractor’s painting crew having 5 or more members performing blast cleaning and/or spray application (Atmospheric and Immersion Service)

30. Crew Definition (Draft)
CAS Level II certified person shall be on site during surface preparation and painting operations or be accessible to the work area within 10 minutes by foot or other form of transportation 

31. CAS for SSPC Certified Contractors 2014
Introduction of crew ratios
Jan. 1, 2014: one (1) CAS Certified (Level II-Interim min.) craftworker to three (3) non-CAS certified craft-workers (25%) on each painting crew during blast cleaning and/or spray application (Atmospheric and Immersion Service)

32. CAS for SSPC Certified Contractors 2016
Introduction of crew ratios
Jan. 1, 2016: two (2) CAS Certified (Level II-Interim min.) craftworker to two (2) non-CAS certified craft-workers (50%) on each painting crew during blast cleaning and/or spray application (Atmospheric and Immersion Service)

33. CAS for SSPC Certified Contractors 2018
Introduction of crew ratios
Jan. 1, 2018: three (3) CAS Certified (Level II-Interim min.) craftworker to one (1) non-CAS certified craft-workers (75%) on each painting crew during blast cleaning and/or spray application (Atmospheric and Immersion Service)

34. Tables of Action 2012 -Prepare “Implementation Plan” by 31 March
Year
Action Required
2012
-Prepare “Implementation Plan” by 31 March
-SSPC will confirm adherence during annual audit
-Reminder notice issued for not having plan or adhering to plan
2013
-One CAS (Level II Interim Certified) per crew of 5 or more performing blasting and/or spray painting
2014
-One CAS (Level II Interim) per 4 craftworkers performing blasting and/or spray painting
2015
Same as 2014

35. Tables of Action Year Action Required 2016
-2 CAS (Level II Interim) per 4 craftworkers performing blasting and/or spray painting
2017
Same as 2016
2018
-3 CAS (Level II Interim) per 4 craftworkers performing blasting and/or spray painting
2019
Same as 2018
2020
-3 CAS (Level II Full) per 4 craftworkers performing blasting and/or spray painting

36. Eligible Coating Projects: CAS for SSPC Certified Contractors
Defined as those projects where dry or wet abrasive blast cleaning and/or spray application is being performed on a steel structure in the field for the purpose of corrosion control and the contract value for coatings and surface preparation exceeds $50,000

37. Learn More About SSPC CAS
To learn more:
Visit: or
Call: (USA) , ext. 2221; outside USA (412/ , ext or or

38. Questions?