In the world today, there is an increasing emphasis placed on quality. Therefore, the quality of the weld is not left out as well. It is an essential part of the overall welding activity.
There has been an increasing concern about the quality of weld due to several factors like economics, safety, government regulations and global competition.
The welding inspector is not singularly responsible for weld quality but plays a significant role in the welding quality control program. Most of all, he is among the front-line personnel who checks the manufacturing steps and ensures it has to be completed in a good manner.
Who is a welding inspector?
According to the American Welding Society (AWS), a welding inspector is a responsible person involved in the determination of weld quality according to applicable codes and specifications.
They may operate in many circumstances together with destructive testing specialists, NDE Specialists, code inspectors, in-house inspectors, etc. welding inspectors can work in different industries where welding is performed such as in the construction of buildings and bridges, power generation facilities, pressure vessels and pipelines.
Transportation industry such as aero building, rail building, shipbuilding, automotive, etc. Chemical industry such as in the fabrication of pressure–containing processing facilities.
For a welding inspector to discharge his duties correctly, he will have the following qualities below.
Qualities of a welding inspector.
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1. Professional attitude.
First of all, having and exhibiting attitudes coherent with the profession is of the essence and the ability to make decisions based on facts results in fairness, impartiality, and consistency.
A welding inspector must be familiar with the job and its requirement to enable him to make decisions that are not too critical or lax. It is a bad one if an inspector has a preconceived idea of a job not based on fact. Having a professional attitude helps to encourage successful job performance.
2. Good Knowledge of codes, drawings, standards, and specifications.
Welding inspectors cannot work without a sound knowledge of codes and standards. information regarding the welding is in the document. These documents show the how, when, where and what the welding activity and inspections.
Before the start of any activity, the welding inspector reviews the document to be aware of the job requirements. These documents are reference documents. The welding inspector memorizes and familiarises himself with the document if he wishes. Other workers may call him as regards it.
3. Good physical condition.
The primary Job of a welding inspector involves visual inspection. A good vision will help to evaluate weld properly.
Welds can be anywhere in a structure and inspectors must go into those areas to conduct inspections. They should not allow their physical condition to prevent them from discharging their jobs properly.
4. Good inspection experience.
It is not enough for a welding inspector to have textbooks and classroom knowledge. Since it cannot teach the inspector all the things to succeed in the job, with experience, he cultivates the proper attitude, and a good point of view while working.
Experience gotten from working with various codes and specifications improves inspection judgment and job effectiveness.
5. knowledge of welding and welding processes.
It is always good to convert welders to welding inspectors because they know the actual welding job. With their basic knowledge of welding, they are better off understanding the problems the welders encounter in the field, and they can easily take decisions since they know the advantages and disadvantages each welding process gives and it helps to prevent welding problems.
6. Ability to complete and maintain inspection records.
Welding inspectors must accurately communicate the results and other aspects of the welding properly.
They keep proper record keeping. However, developed records should be understandable to anyone familiar with the work.
Reports can be read with or without the inspector’s presence, and if it cannot be read, it is useless. The reports are permanent records, and the inspector has to treat is as one.
7. Good safety habits.
Good safety habits play a prominent role in accident prevention. Working safely without any injury requires a sound knowledge of the safety hazards inherent in the work.
A welding inspector should have knowledge of working safely and an attitude that accidents are preventable. Safety training is in the inspectors’ training program.
In Conclusion.
There are other qualities of a welding inspector, but the major ones are the listed ones. These qualities will guide the inspector to efficiently discharge his job with facts, fairness and sound judgment.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
