(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Adequate welding standards" means specifications, guidelines, tests, and other methods used to ensure that all structural steel welds meet, at minimum, the codes and standards for such welds established in the American welding society structural steel welding code D 1.1 and the nonresidential building code adopted under section 3781.10 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Certified welding inspector" means a person who has been certified by the American welding society to inspect structural steel welding projects and conduct welder qualification tests.

(3) "Structural steel welding" means structural welds, weld repair, the structural system, and the welding of all primary steel members of a structure in accordance with the American welding society structural steel welding code D 1.1. "Structural steel welding" does not include welding that is required by the American society of mechanical engineers to have its own certification.

(B) A contractor, subcontractor, or construction manager whose workers are welding the structural steel on a construction project shall ensure that all of the following occur:

(1) The workers performing the structural steel welding have been tested by and hold a valid certification from a facility that or individual who has been accredited by the American welding society to test and certify welders and welding inspectors.

(2) All structural steel welds performed for the project meet adequate welding standards and are listed in the project's job specifications.

(3) All structural steel welding inspections listed in the project's job specifications are completed by a certified welding inspector.

(C) No person shall recklessly fail to comply with this section.

Added by 133rd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 166, §101.01, eff. 10/17/2019.