Certification
Watch the 2021 QualityCon Sessions
QualityCon 2021 returned this year at NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference! QualityCon offered sessions for structural steel fabricators and erectors to learn more about quality management systems (QMS) and AISC Certification. This year’s program was particularly exciting, given the recent release of the Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207-20) and updates to the Governing Requirements for Certification Programs and the Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts.
Wondering what these changes mean for you? Look no further than QualityCon, you’ll find two sessions about these documents, plus 15 more quality-focused sessions. Be sure to check out sessions Q1 & Q2 below, which will cover the AISC 207-20 and other upcoming 2021 changes to the certification program.
Links to the recorded sessions can be found below.
Q1: CERTIFICATION FORUM
Join us to kick off QualityCon and learn about all the new developments in AISC Certification, including revisions to the Standard for Certification Programs, updates to our Governing Requirements, and an update on remote assessments. Attendees will have the opportunity to get answers to their certification and audit-related questions.
Q2: GET TO KNOW THE UPDATES TO THE STANDARD FOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS (AISC 207-20)
The AISC Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207) has seen ongoing revisions and updates since its initial publication in 2016. We are adding a Hydraulic Metal Structures chapter, which has been in the works since 2018, as well as additional clarifications to the other five sections. Come and find out how the changes will affect you and your next audit.
Q3: HOW TO DEMYSTIFY CHAPTER N AND THE BUILDING CODE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Join us for an A-to-Z look at chapter N of the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, including quality requirements for fabrication and erection, the difference between quality control and quality assurance, and how they relate to the International Building Code. If you have questions, you’ll be leaving with the answers!
Q4: LET'S GO NUTS...AND BOLTS...AND WASHERS
The Research Council on Structural Connections (RCSC) has published an updated Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts, which has significant changes for fabricators and erectors. This session will explore how Sections 7-Pre-Installation Verification, 8-Installation, and 9-Inspection will affect your current bolting procedures and practices.
Q5: SPECS TO RECEIVING: THE WHOLE NINE YARDS
Contract review. Purchasing. Receiving. These are all parts of the beginning of a project, but if something goes wrong, this mistake could haunt you through the rest of the project. Find out how to avoid common pitfalls of purchase orders, receiving, and receipt inspection, along with the importance of MTRs.
Q6: ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS: LET'S IMPROVE IT
We should all be doing root cause analysis when we identify corrective action, but how can we do it better? This session will discuss the whys, hows, and whats—and we will provide some real-life examples and walk you through the process. Like the TV show Dateline, sometimes the true cause of a crime isn’t the simplest thing to analyze and determine.
Q7: LESSONS LEARNED FROM FABRICATORS' AND ERECTORS' VIEWS ON INSPECTION
Some fabricators and erectors are only responsible for QC, while others are responsible for both QC and QA. Discover some of the challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve solved them. We’ll have a lively discussion about lessons learned and common-sense solutions to issues we’ve all run into both in the shop and the field.
Q8: THE WHYS OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS, ORGANIZATION CHARTS, AND BIOGRAPHIES
Pop quiz: Where do your quality staff fit into your organization? What precisely do they do? To whom do they report? What are their qualifications? You need effective documentation to define how your staff works together. We’ll review best practices and real-life examples to show you how to write clear, effective job descriptions, organization charts, and biographies.
Q9: DO YOU HAVE BOLTING QUESTIONS? AISC'S STEEL SOLUTIONS CENTER HAS THE ANSWERS!
The AISC Steel Solutions Center (SSC) helps anyone who needs technical assistance, innovative solutions, or tools to make structural steel design even easier. Join the SSC as we highlight some of the most commonly asked questions about bolting—and, of course, we’ll share the answers with you because it’s what we do! You certainly won’t want to miss it!
Q10: HOW TO INCORPORATE RISK-BASED THINKING INTO THE EVERYDAY
Risk-based thinking permeates most current management system standards. Safety-related risks should, of course, be prominent, but many other aspects of any organization should have consideration for risks too. These varied risks may relate to contract errors, diminished efficiencies, scrap, erosion of market share, decreased customer confidence, or loss of qualified staff, just to name a few. It is possible to establish a culture of risk-based thinking that creates value without a burdensome risk management scheme. We’ll present the concept of risk-based thinking and provide tips for efficient and effective implementation.
Q11: THE SECRET TO EFFECTIVE INTERNAL AUDITS
Want to know what it takes to perform an effective internal audit? Great! Because that’s what we want to show you! Join us for an interactive look at how to conduct a meaningful internal audit by reviewing the minimum requirements stated in the AISC Certification Governing Requirements and Standard. We’ll give you the tools to move your internal audit to the next level!
Q12: BUILD YOUR DREAM TEAM WITH EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS
It seems increasingly difficult to find highly skilled employees in our industry—not only in craft positions but also in office positions. How can we overcome this deficiency of accomplished team members? We’ll explore one solution together: how managers can use effective training programs to help fill these gaps.
Q13: THE SECRET OF CALIBRATION
AISC and QMC have recently heard chatter about all sorts of calibration issues. But worry not! We’ll get everyone on the same page in this session. Join us to learn some tips and tricks to streamline the process at your shop or erection site. Bring along any questions you may have for us, and we’ll be happy to answer them!
Q14: HOW TO PERFORM AN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Want to know what it takes to perform an effective management review? Join us for an interactive look at how to conduct a meaningful management review for erectors and fabricators. You’ll also discover the minimum requirements for conducting management reviews as required by the AISC Certification Program Requirements and Standard. We’ll give you the tools to move your management review to the next level!
Q15: HOW CAN A STEEL ERECTOR EFFECTIVELY TRAIN ITS SUPERVISORS AND WORKFORCE ON QUALITY?
Erectors face multiple challenges on job sites—don’t let quality be one of them! We will focus on establishing metrics, tailoring training, and other tips to help companies identify and educate personnel in all aspects of job quality. Whether you are management or you work in the field, bring your pen and notepad and prepare to get down to business in this one-hour session devoted to doing it right the first time!
Q16: HOW TO USE 5S METHODOLOGY IN THE OFFICE, SHOP, AND FIELD TO INCREASE SPEED!
Are you up to speed on 5S methodology? Ssssspoiler alert: It stands for Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain for speed. 5S methodology is a framework that will help you organize and manage your workplace to operate more efficiently. Whether it’s in the office, boardroom, shop, job site, or storage areas, if something needs to be organized, you need 5S. We’ll help you understand the benefits and implementation process of this lean manufacturing practice and how it can increase the overall speed of your organization.
Q17: ESTABLISH MEASURABLE GOALS WITH BUSINESS CASE WRITING
Setting goals for your company and quality management system can be difficult. Join us as we take an immersive look at how business case writing can help create realistic goals that are clear and concise.