Set up a QA/QC program for a structural steel bridge painting project

Steps

1. Start from the owning agency's (state DOT's) structural steel painting specification, since bridge coating QA/QC requirements are set primarily at the state DOT level rather than by a single national standard
2. Check whether the DOT specification incorporates AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration coating and corrosion-protection guidance documents by reference, and pull the current version directly from AASHTO/NSBA (aisc.org's NSBA bridge collaboration documents page) rather than an older cached copy, since these guide documents are periodically revised
3. Require the coating contractor to hold current AMPP QP 1 (field application) accreditation, and QP 2 accreditation specifically if the project involves removal of existing hazardous (e.g., lead-containing) coating from the structure
4. Build the inspection plan around the applicable AMPP/SSPC surface-prep, DFT (SSPC-PA 2), and holiday-testing (NACE SP0188) standards referenced by the DOT spec, with hold points tied to surface prep acceptance, prime coat DFT, and intermediate/topcoat DFT
5. Confirm containment and environmental monitoring requirements for any lead-paint removal against SSPC-Guide 6/Guide 18 given the structure's proximity to waterways or public areas, which often triggers stricter monitoring than a typical industrial building