Employee Training

Concrete Imaging, Inc. strongly believes that continuing education is essential for ensuring our teams are well-trained and confident in their roles. Our company offers both in-house training and off-site training at specialized facilities. Additionally, our training policy includes refresher courses to help our employees stay sharp and maintain accuracy in their work.

Ground Penetrating Radar Technicians

At the start of their employment at Concrete Imaging, Inc., new employees (trainees) are expected to read, understand, and apply the publications noted below. These resources are updated based on revision releases and/or new product releases from Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. (GSSI).

GSSI Handbook for RADAR Inspection of Concrete (2006)

GSSI Concrete Handbook (2017)
GSSI Antenna Manual (2017)
GSSI StructureScan Mini XT Manual (2020)

GSSI SIR 4000 (2024)
GSSI Flex Mode Best Practices & FAQ (2024)

GSSI Flex NX Quick Start Guide (2025)
GSSI Nexus Elements Quick Start Guide (2025)

GSSI User Guide for Flex Systems (2025)
GSSI Blog – An Overview of Normal and Cross-Polarized GPR (2023)

Additionally, all employees are required to receive on-the-job training from an experienced technician. The employee must advance through a tier system before being allowed to scan independently. The supervisor MUST review all scans completed by their trainees during this time. Additional training, outside of the training for GPR, may be required. Concrete Imaging, Inc. reserves the right to verify the knowledge of its employees through testing, classes, safety briefs, toolbox talks, etc. Ground Penetrating Radar Technicians are expected to know the following:

Locating Top and Bottom Rebar Identification and Thickness Assessment Determining Rebar Orientation
Recognizing Ending Rebar
Recognizing Spliced Rebar Identify/Locate Single or Multiple Conduits
Identify/Locate Conduits that Turn or Exit the Slab Scanning with Wire Mesh Present
Scanning on Metal Decking – Pandeck

Dealing with Suspected Targets Calibration-Settings
Dealing with Column Capitals and Beams

Understanding Post-Tension Slabs

The information below shows the training syllabus for workers aiming to become Ground Penetrating Radar Technicians. The tier system is designed to enhance their understanding of the field and expand their knowledge of concrete slabs and the embedded items within. This multi-tiered system allows new employees to progress at their own pace while learning content based on the following categories.

Equipment Operation and Calibration

Subsurface Data Acquisition and Interpretation

Safety Protocols and Field Procedures

Reporting Standards and Client Communication

GPR Trainee

A new hire will begin as a trainee. A trainee does not interact with the equipment. Instead, they will learn the fundamentals of layouts on the slab and the procedures required by Concrete Imaging, Inc. Additionally, they will learn the basics of concrete construction (i.e., rebar, post-tension cables, electrical conduits, etc.)

Must be able to prepare the scan area correctly by cleaning/sweeping the area and clearly marking the area to be scanned for the lead technician.
Must understand and accurately distinguish the layout “tick” marks and their meanings. (Rebar, Conflicts)
Must understand and properly complete the slab layouts, indicating the location of embedded items based on marks left by the lead technician.
Must understand and correctly complete layouts to include appropriate pull-offs and safety margins.
Must understand and neatly mark items, ensuring they are legible and drawn with straight lines. Methods and tools are provided to ensure the trainee is prepared for this task.

This process can take three to six months, and additional training will only be considered once the employee demonstrates consistency and proficiency with the layouts of embedded items. The trainees may receive instruction from multiple technicians to broaden their industry knowledge and experience; however, promotion to the next tier will only occur with approval from the Field Operations Manager at Concrete Imaging, Inc.

GPR Helper

A helper interacts with the equipment by learning how to connect, start up, and initialize the machine. The helper will also learn how to identify and interpret hyperboloids. However, the helper will not make any decisions on their own or make any slab markings. They will be expected to become proficient in the following:

Must be able to connect all required accessories to the GPR machine.
Must understand the methods for battery insertion and removal.
Must be able to locate embedded items based on hyperbolas.
Must understand and be proficient in the theories of GPR.

This process can take three to six months, and additional training will only be considered once the employee demonstrates consistency and proficiency with locating embedded items and becomes familiar with the equipment. A helper may receive instruction from multiple technicians to expand their industry knowledge and experience; however, promotion to the next tierwill only occur with approval from the Field Operations Manager at Concrete Imaging, Inc.

GPR Technician

A technician is supervised by the Field Operations Manager and will have all his work reviewed during this time. During Tier Three, the technician must show they are knowledgeable and competent in the following:

Must be able to differentiate between varying hyperbolas.
Must be able to clearly indicate the slab with tick marks that are specific to the embedded items located.
Must be able to collect and save all data for report completion.
Must be fully knowledgeable in the various methods of construction for concrete structures.
Must be able to clearly communicate with the client/representatives.
Must be able to make responsible and competent decisions.
Must be able to supervise and train new employees.
Must be confident and show pride in their work.
Must ensure the safety of themselves and their team is the top priority.

This process can take three to six months, and additional training will only be considered once the employee demonstrates consistency and proficiency with locating embedded items and becomes familiar with the equipment. A technician will only receive instruction from the Field Operations Manager during this time. Once all tiers have been completed successfully, the Field Operations Manager will promote the team member to a lead technician.

Lead GPR Technician

Once the newly trained technician is ready to operate independently on projects, the schedule is light with only a few complex scans until they are confident in their results. This allows them enough time to gather sufficient data for accurate findings. For more demanding projects, the technician will work alongside a senior technician or a management team member. If scheduling prevents pairing them together, the schedule will indicate that a senior technician or management member will perform the scans alone.

Training for Industrial Radiography

Training requirements for Industrial Radiographers are determined by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Additionally, the prerequisites prior to testing for certification is outlined by the approved certifying entity. Concrete Imaging, Inc. trains their radiography employees with additional supplemental training to improve their knowledge and understanding of the field. All radiography employees are required to read and understand the resources noted below. Exams will be completed by each employee to confirm their knowledge and understanding of the content.

Concrete Imaging Inc.'s Radiation Safety Training Program

Concrete Imaging Inc.'s Operating and Emergency Procedures

ASNT Study Guide - Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety by ASNT

Gamma Radiation Safety Study Guide Second Edition by Joe Bush

Radiation Safety Handbook by QSA Global Inc.

Working Safely in Radiography Second Edition by ASNT

Code of Federal Regulations Title 10 Part 19

Code of Federal Regulations Title 10 Part 20

Code of Federal Regulations Title 10 Part 21

Code of Federal Regulations Title 10 Part 34

Code of Federal Regulations Title 10 Part 37

Code of Federal Regulations Title 10 Part 71

Virginia Radiation Protection Regulations (RADMAT)

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR)

Advancement in the industry depends on an employee's ability to work safely and responsibly in the field of industrial radiography. Employees' skills are evaluated based on their practical experience, customer interactions, and demonstrated knowledge on written examinations. The examination process follows a tiered system based on accumulated hours and the employees' understanding of the provided resources. While additional testing may be requested, the required examinations are outlined below.

Industrial Radiography Trainee Exam

Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Exam 1

Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Exam 2

Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Exam 3

Transportation of Radioactive Materials - DOT Function Specific Exam

Industrial Radiography Assistant Radiographer's Exam

Industrial Radiographer Radiation Safety Personnel Preliminary Exam

All examinations must be successfully completed with a score of 80% or higher to advance. Once all examinations are finished, the employee will be scheduled to take the Industrial Radiographer Radiation Safety Personnel Examination offered by the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). ASNT is an approved certifying organization according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC). This examination is a computer-based program that is proctored.

Before registration for the examination is approved, ASNT verifies that the applicant has completed 40 hours of instruction in radiation safety topics and has 320 hours of active participation in performing gamma radiography. If the applicant passes the exam with a score of 70% or higher, they will be qualified to work as an Industrial Radiographer using radioactive materials.

All employees who work with hazardous materials must be considered Trustworthy and Reliable, as outlined in the guidelines of 10 CFR Part 37. This assessment includes, but is not limited to, FBI fingerprinting, background investigations, criminal history checks, and other methods that help evaluate an individual's character and reputation.