The first, and perhaps the most important quality,is a professional attitude.

Professional attitude is often the key factor for welding inspector success.


Inspector attitude often determines the degree of respect and cooperation received
from others during the performance of inspection duties. Included in this category is
the ability of the welding inspector to make decisions based on facts so that
inspections are fair, impartial and consistent.


If decisions are unfair or show partiality or inconsistency, they greatly affect the
inspectors credibility.


A welding inspector must be completely familiar with the job requirements so that
decisions are neither too critical nor too lax.


It is a mistake for the inspector to have preconceived ideas as to a components
acceptability. Inspection decisions must be based on facts; the condition of the weld
and the acceptance criteria specified in the applicable specification must be the
determining factors.


Inspectors will often find themselves being tested by other personnel on the job,
especially when newly assigned to some task.


Maintaining a professional attitude helps overcome obstacles to successful job
performance.


Next, the welding inspector should be in good physical condition.


Since the primary job involves visual inspection, obviously the welding inspector
should have good vision, whether natural or corrected.


The AWS CWI program requires the inspector to pass an eye examination, with or
without corrective lenses, to prove near vision acuity on Jaeger
J2 at 12 in., and complete a color perception test.


Another aspect of physical condition involves the size of some welded structures.


Welds can be located anywhere on very large structures, and inspectors must often
go to those areas and make evaluations.


Inspectors should be in good enough physical condition to go to any location where
the welder has been.


This does not imply that inspectors must violate safety regulations just to do their
duties.


Inspection can often be hampered if not done immediately after welding, because
access aids for the welder such as ladders and scaffolding may be removed, making
inspection impossible or dangerous.


Within safety guidelines, welding inspectors should not let their physical condition
prevent them from doing the inspection properly.


Who is the Welding Inspector?

- Before turning our discussion to the technical subjects, let us talk about the welding
inspector as
an individual and the typical responsibilities that accompany the position.

The welding inspector is a responsible person, involved in the determination of weld quality
according to applicable codes and/or specifications. In the performance of inspection tasks,
welding inspectors operate in many different circumstances, depending primarily for whom
they are working.

Thus, there is a special need for job specifications due to the complexity of some
components and structures.

The inspection workforce may include destructive testing specialists, nondestructive
examination
(NDE) specialists, code inspectors, military or government inspectors, owner
representatives, in-house
inspectors, and others.

These individuals may, at times, consider themselves welding inspectors,since they
inspect welds as part of their job responsibility.

The three general categories into which the welding inspectors work-functions can be
grouped are:

- Overseer
- Specialist
- Combination Overseer-Specialist

An overseer can be one individual or many individuals whose skills vary such that any
amount or
type of workmanship may be inspected.

Both economics and technical requirements will decide the extent to which these types of
inspectors will group themselves and function in various areas of expertise.

The specialist, on the other hand, is an individual who does some specific task(s) in the
inspection
process. A specialist may or may not act independently of an overseer. The
nondestructive xamination
(NDE) specialist is an example of this category of inspector.

This individual has limited responsibilities in the welding inspection process.

It is common to see inspectors serving as both overseer and specialist. Such an individual
may be
responsible for general weld quality judgments in each of the various fabrication steps, and
be
required to perform any nondestructive testing that is necessary.

Fabricators may employ several overseer type inspectors, each having their own area of
general weld inspection responsibility.

Because inspection responsibility is divided in these cases, inspectors may have to rely on
others for specific aspects of the total inspection program.

For the purposes of this course, we will refer to the welding inspector in general, without
regard to
how each individual will be used by an employer.

It is impractical to address each individuals situation in the scope of this discussion. To
emphasize the differences in job requirements, lets look at some industries using welding
inspectors. We see elding inspection being done in the construction of buildings, bridges
and other structural units. Energy lated applications include power generation facilities,
pressure vessels and pipelines, and other distribution equipment requiring pressure
containment. The chemical industry also uses welding extensively in the fabrication of
pressure-containing processing facilities and equipment.

The transportation industry requires assurance of accurate weld quality in such areas as
aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, railroad apparatus and off-road equipment. Finally, the
manufacturing of consumer goods often requires specific weld quality requirements. With
the diversity shown by
this listing, various situations will clearly require different types and degrees of inspection.



Success Story
Roxanne Regan, Welding Inspector

Photo Caption: Roxanne Regan doing a final inspection on a
shipment before it leaves.

Roxanne Regan
Occupation: Welding Inspector
Miramichi born and raised, Roxanne Regan currently works as a welding inspector
with Sunny Corner.
Regan had initially attended NBCC and took a secretarial course. I worked at Blue
Cross in Moncton for two years and came back to the Miramichi to get married and
raise a family, says Regan who is married with two children.
Over the years Regan worked for a variety of employers including Beaubear Credit
Union and the Royal Bank as a teller, and as administrative assistant with the
Department of Transportation, CFB Chatham and Tourism NB.
Regan eventually went back to school to upgrade her skills where she completed
her work term at Sunny Corner Enterprises Inc. (SCEI).
I've been working as an inspector for three years but have been an employee of
SCEI since 1992, says Regan.

How to Become a Welding Inspector:
Step-by-Step Career Guide
Learn how to become a welding inspector. Research the education requirements,
training information and experience required for starting a career in the welding
field.
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Welding Inspector Requirements
Welding inspectors examine the connections and bonds between metals.
Inspectors use visual tools and electrical instruments to check and ensure the
quality and safety of connections. These professionals begin as welders and can
become certified inspectors through the American Welding Society (AWS) after
meeting education and experience requirements. The table below summarizes
common requirements for welding inspectors.

Common Requirements
Degree Level
High school diploma; postsecondary
education can help students advance to a
welding inspector position*
Degree Field Engineering, engineering technology*
Experience
Varies; certification requires 3-12 years
experience*
Certification
Certification may be required or preferred by
employers**
Key Skills
Ability to perform physical work and climbing
as part of the job; communication skills*
Technical Skills Familiarity with blueprint reading**
Computer Skills Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel**
Sources: *American Welding Society, **Job listings accessed during December
2012.
Step 1: Earn a Postsecondary Education
Formal training through a community college or vocational school isn't required,
but some employers seek welding inspectors with postsecondary education.
Technical programs in welding typically last 1-2 years and result in a welding
diploma or certificate. Topics generally include blueprint reading, metallurgy,
fabrication and arc welding. Students also might consider 2-year associate's
degree programs in welding technology. These programs often include general
education coursework, as well as welding-specific classes in arc, gas tungsten arc
and pipe welding.
Success Tip:
Bolster related skills. Skills in mathematics, creating objects and designing
diagrams can be developed in courses like mathematics, wood or metal shop
and drafting. Welding inspectors must use mathematics in calculations to
determine the strength of the weld, as well as drafting skill to examine and
evaluate other welders' designs.
Step 2: Gain Work Experience
Welders work in a variety of industries, including construction, aerospace and
machinery manufacturing. Before moving into the role of inspector, welders
might perform entry-level work, such as cleaning and degreasing parts, checking
grooves, angles and dimensions for accuracy, inspecting equipment and mixing
and applying protective coatings.
As new hires gain experience, they might advance to reading blueprints and
using their knowledge and skills in metallurgy and welding to join, bind and fuse
two or more metals together. Skilled welders might move on to even more
complex tasks, such as welding difficult angles or materials, like titanium or
steel. Advanced welders can also develop templates and models, estimate parts
and labor costs and examine work for defects. Promotion to welding inspector
could include duties like writing inspection reports, ensuring that equipment
complies with engineering, welding and testing standards and training other
welding staff.
Success Tip:
Participate in an apprenticeship or internship. Completion of an internship is
one way to gain experience in the welding field. Some unions will assist
aspiring welders in securing internships.
Step 3: Pass Welding Inspector Certification Exam
Welders who have attained a high school diploma or a postsecondary degree and
completed three years of documented work experience may apply to become
Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs). The certification exam covers three areas,
including welding fundamentals, practical applications and welding code
application. Certifications generally last three years; however, CWIs can take
additional exams or courses in order to prolong recertification for up to nine
years.
Success Tip:
Consider attaining endorsements. CWIs also can earn supplemental inspection
credentials. While not required, these endorsements might allow CWIs to
execute inspections that might have been excluded due to customer or
jurisdictional requirements, such as inspections of bridges and railroads. Upon
passage of a qualifying codebook exam, inspectors are given a separate
endorsement card and certificate of completion.
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When you were growing up, did you ever consider a career in the trades?
I was actually always intrigued by carpentry as my father and my brother were
carpenters but I never pursued it and never imagined myself in a trade.
Why did you decide to pursue a career as a welding inspector? What or who
inspired you?
I was always interested in new challenges and got involved with the quality
department (at SCEI). My supervisor had approached me and suggested that I
challenge the Inspector exams as I knew the material involved. Along with his
coaching and mentoring I successfully passed my Level I CWB Inspector course. I
obtained my two year training and in the spring of 2010 I received my Level II CWB
Inspector Certification. I have been fortunate to have had two supervisors that were
influential in my career as they encouraged and challenged me to always do better.
Were your family and friends supportive in your decision to become a
welding inspector? What was their reaction like when you first told them?
My family was very supportive and thought it was great that I pursued this career as
I had always focused on my family and they felt it was time for me to do something I
enjoyed.
What is a welding inspector?
A welding inspector starts in the bidding stage of a job in giving advice to the
Estimator on the quality requirements. An Inspector walks through all stages of a
job including inspecting the welds, ensuring qualified welders and welding
procedures are in order, scheduling any additional requirements from
subcontractors, to preparing a history package. Also involved is testing welders for
qualifications to a specific welding procedure, and qualifying a welding procedure.
What is a typical day at work like for you? What types of tasks does a welding
inspector do?
A typical day at work would be attending pre-job meetings, developing inspection
and test plans, reviewing code of construction; inspecting welds, checking
dimensionals on a fabricated piece, tracking material traceability, ensuring qualified
welders are on the job and that all quality related requirements by the client have
been met.
Are there any myths or misconceptions about your job that you'd like to
dispel?
No.
Do you work with any other female welding inspectors?
No
Have you experienced any challenges (or barriers) working in a male
dominated profession?
No, the men have been very good to work with and respectful.
What do you enjoy most about your job? What excites you about going to
work every day?
What I enjoy most about my job is that you are always learning something new.
Every job has different requirements, therefore, new challenges.
What kinds of qualities or skills are needed to be a good welding inspector?
A good welding inspector has to be attentive, pay attention to detail, pleasant,
outgoing and able to communicate with people.
What would you say is a personal career achievement you are most proud of?
I would have to say that I am most proud of the fact that I changed careers at a later
stage in my life where one is most unacceptable to change. I always enjoy learning
and having new challenges.
What advice would you give to others who are interested in pursuing a career
as a welding inspector?
Hard work, determination and commitment will make you successful. The main goal
is to pursue a career that you will enjoy and be happy working in each day.
What do you believe is the key to success?
If you have a passion for any career you can succeed with perseverance and hard
work.