Page 32 - Quick Guide to Welding and Weld Inspection by S.E. Hughes, Clifford Matthews

Chapter 2

Duties of a Welding Inspector
A welding inspector has the responsibility to monitor all
aspects of the welding process before, during and after
welding to ensure that the finished weldment is fit for
purpose. Fitness for purpose in this sense normally means
that the finished weldment has been produced in accordance
with a code or specification and complies with the stated
requirements of that code or specification. The inspector
must therefore be proficient in carrying out visual inspections
and assessing his or her findings in accordance with the
relevant code or specification acceptance criteria. The
following checks are commonplace.
Before welding
Before welding is carried out the inspector checks that all of
the welding variables specified on the weld procedure
specification (WPS) can be achieved and that the correct
equipment and documentation is available. The level of
checking will vary depending on the code requirements but
may involve the following checks.
Documentation
. Drawings, codes, specifications and standards are avail-
able and at the correct revision state.
. Correctly qualified welding procedures are in place cover-
ing the welding processes to be used in production.
. Welders are correctly qualified for the welding processes
and the WPSs to be used in production.
. Correct NDE procedures and techniques are in place.
. NDE and heat treatment personnel are suitably qualified.
. Correct preheat and post-weld heat treatment procedures
specifying temperatures, holding times and temperature
measurement methods.

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