ASTM D5255-15

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5255 − 14 D5255 − 15
Standard Practice for
Certification of Personnel Engaged in the Testing of Soil
1
and Rock
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5255; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice provides a guide for evaluation and certification procedures for personnel engaged in testing soil and rock in
accordance with ASTM test methods and is intended for use by independent organizations providing certification services.
1.2 Qualifications for certification candidates, qualifications of those administering the certification examinations, methods of
administering the certification tests, and certain certification organization operating requirements are given.
1.3 Certification is specific to a single ASTM test method. A monitored written examination and a monitored performance
examination are normally required.
NOTE 1—Personnel certification may be an important aspect of a quality system as described in Practice D3740. Certification of personnel is one means
of meeting personnel qualifications given in Practice D3740.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be
applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s
many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through
the ASTM consensus process.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms, refer to Terminology D653.
3.1.2 agency—an organization, or part of an organization, engaged in activities of technically oriented testing or inspection, or
both.
3.1.3 inspection—the process of measuring, examining, testing, gaging, or using other procedures to ascertain the quality or
state, detect errors or defects or otherwise appraise materials, products, services, systems, or environments to a pre-established
standard.
3.1.4 testing—the determination by technical means of properties, performance, or elements of materials, products, services,
systems, or environments that may involve application of established scientific principles and procedures.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.99 on Quality Control.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2014May 1, 2015. Published September 2014May 2015. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
D5255 – 01D5255 – 14.(2008). DOI: 10.1520/D5255-14.10.1520/D5255-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5255 − 15
3.2.1 administratively independent—all policy decisions relating to certification matters are the sole decision of the certifying
organization and not subject to approval by any other body and that all financial matters related to the operation of the certifying
organization are segregated from those of the parent or affiliated organiza
...

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5255 − 15
Standard Practice for
Certification of Personnel Engaged in the Testing of Soil
1
and Rock
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5255; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This practice provides a guide for evaluation and certi- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
fication procedures for personnel engaged in testing soil and D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
rock in accordance with ASTM test methods and is intended Fluids
for use by independent organizations providing certification D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
services. Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.2 Qualifications for certification candidates, qualifications
of those administering the certification examinations, methods
3. Terminology
of administering the certification tests, and certain certification
3.1 Definitions:
organization operating requirements are given.
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms, refer to
1.3 Certification is specific to a single ASTM test method. A
Terminology D653.
monitored written examination and a monitored performance
3.1.2 agency—an organization, or part of an organization,
examination are normally required.
engaged in activities of technically oriented testing or
inspection, or both.
NOTE 1—Personnel certification may be an important aspect of a quality
system as described in Practice D3740. Certification of personnel is one
3.1.3 inspection—the process of measuring, examining,
means of meeting personnel qualifications given in Practice D3740.
testing, gaging, or using other procedures to ascertain the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
quality or state, detect errors or defects or otherwise appraise
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
materials, products, services, systems, or environments to a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
pre-established standard.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.4 testing—the determination by technical means of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
properties, performance, or elements of materials, products,
1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
services, systems, or environments that may involve applica-
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
tion of established scientific principles and procedures.
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
3.2.1 administratively independent—all policy decisions re-
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
lating to certification matters are the sole decision of the
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
certifying organization and not subject to approval by any other
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
body and that all financial matters related to the operation of
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
the certifying organization are segregated from those of the
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
parent or affiliated organization.
title of this document means only that the document has been
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
3.2.2 certification—an action which determines and an-
nounces that an individual has fulfilled the pre-established
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
2
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.99 on Quality Control. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2015. Published May 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D5255 – 14. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5255-15.
the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5255 − 15
requirements and is competent to perform the designated 5.2 Resources:
task(s) associated with a single ASTM test method.
5.2.1 The certification organization shall disclose, through
publication of a
...