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Disciplinary Action Criteria (DAC)

The Disciplinary Action Criteria (DAC) was born out of the SSPC QP Accreditation Program Advisory Committee meeting on March 12, 1996. A task group was formed to draft new Disciplinary Action Criteria for accredited contractors and procedures for administering disciplinary actions. The committee members felt that new and more stringent Disciplinary Action Criteria and administrative procedures were needed to supplement the annual and unannounced technical audits used prior to the DAC as the sole method for determining whether a contractor obtains or retains accreditation status.

The DAC and administrative procedures are intended to strengthen the reputation of the SSPC QP Program (now AMPP QP), making accreditation more valuable. Contractors who maintain accreditation standards will benefit from the increased recognition and opportunities that come with belonging to the QP Program.

The criteria establish procedures and rules for issuing warnings to certified contractors. This can include putting firms on probation and conducting special unannounced audits. These can lead to suspending, revoking, or denying accreditation of contractors who receive critical faults in safety, environmental compliance, quality/service, or an unethical practice reported and verified.

DAC Criteria QP5 DAC Criteria DAC Violations Contractor Evaluation Form

We are committed to a fair and transparent Complaints and Appeals process regarding our accreditations. If you would like to learn more about this process or to communicate an issue to our Accreditation Body please contact qpinfo@ampp.org and describe your issue and/or request a phone call back. We will respond within two business days to your email communication. You may also call us at +1 877-281-7772 to speak to someone about your issue.

Critical faults

This procedure defines the process for disciplining contractors for critical faults incurred under the Painting Contractor Certification Program. This procedure is used when a critical fault is suspected. It is also used by contractors to respond to, and appeal disciplinary actions assessed by AMPP.

The procedure includes the following topics:

  1. Definitions of critical faults and disciplinary actions
  2. Steps in the process
  3. Enforcement
  4. Special provisions and notes

Critical faults are actions associated with contractor activities that violate the requirements of the DAC. Critical faults are classified as serious, very serious, severe, and very severe.

The types of critical faults are as follows:

  1. Safety
  2. Environmental
  3. Quality of Worker/Service
  4. Workers Compensation Experience Modification Rate (EMR)
  5. Ethical Practice

Disciplinary actions

Four levels of action can be taken based on the severity of the contractor’s violation(s):

1. Warning

  • The contractor is notified of confirmed critical faults/violations
  • May be subjected to an unannounced audit(s) (1st audit is contractor paid)
  • Warning status will remain for one year (it may be lifted if the unannounced audit is passed)
  • Further action will be taken if additional critical faults/violations are verified

2. Probation

  • The contractor is notified
  • AMPP administration and auditing staff are notified
  • Board of Governors are notified
  • QP Advisory Committee Chair is notified
  • A general announcement in CoatingsPro Magazine*
  • A general announcement on the AMPP website and newsletter*
  • *Special Note: Contractor name not provided. The general announcement is provided to show action was taken.

3. Suspension and Revocation Levels

    • Contractor
    • AMPP administration and auditing staff
    • Board of Governors
    • QP Advisory Committee Chair
    • Facility owners known to be currently using the contractor
    • Contractor specifically named in CoatingsPro Magazine
    • Contractor specifically named on the AMPP website and newsletter
    Type of Critical Fault Disciplinary Action
    Serious Warning
    Very Serious Probation
    Severe Suspension
    Very Severe Revocation

    Notification of disciplinary actions

    Warning:

    • The contractor, AMPP administration, and AMPP auditing staff are notified

    Probation:

    • The contractor is notified
    • AMPP administration and auditing staff are notified
    • Board of Governors are notified
    • QP Advisory Committee Chair is notified
    • A general announcement in CoatingsPro Magazine*
    • A general announcement on the AMPP web site and newsletter*
      Special Note:* Contractor name not provided. The general announcement is provided to show action was taken.

    Suspension and Revocation Levels:

    • Contractor
    • AMPP administration and auditing staff
    • Board of Governors
    • QP Advisory Committee Chair
    • Facility owners known to be currently using the contractor
    • Contractor specifically named in the CoatingsPro Magazine
    • Contractor specifically named on the AMPP web site and newsletter

    Quality and Integrity within the Industry

    The overall quality and integrity of the accreditation programs rely upon open communication between facility owners, contractors, inspectors, and program administration. It is in everyone’s best interest to promote and maintain quality within the industrial painting community. Contact us to learn what you can do to help.

    Did you know?

    • Contractors in all QP accreditation programs are responsible for maintaining the program’s guidelines on all coatings projects. This applies even when the contract, or project specifications does not name QP accreditation as a requirement.
    • All disciplinary actions are posted on the QP web page here
    • Disciplinary actions can escalate with additional violations. Example: A warning will become probation, suspension, or revocation if the contractor has additional violations during the warning period.
    • Contractors can have a disciplinary action brought against them for not filing their Job Notification forms. We advise all contractors to read the information on the form to determine when a job must be reported.
    • All contractors notified of disciplinary action have the right to appeal the decision within 10 business days of official notification.