AWS Certified welder

[dcceecy]

we want to verify that the welders working on one project are AWS certified welders. So do they have welder certification cards or welding test records we can check?
we just want to make sure those are qualified welders.

Thanks.

 

[Michel60]

Good morning dcceecy,

I think there are documents issued and there should be records of the test performed for qualification. If the welder is working for a fabricator/erector the sub should be submitting those documents to the welding inspector. If it's just an individual you are working with on a small project then I have had a welder present his testing lab certificate for position and process bearing the approval stamp of an AWS QC-1. And if I recall correctly the operator has to have maintained his certificate by having no lapses of greater than 6 months for a particular position/process. Again for an individual or small shop I have seen an AWS QC-1 "restamp" a testing report to validate and provide a record for a continuous period without lapse. Maybe not technically the correct step but possibly sufficient. Finally if a welder hasn't performed any testing in say 3-5 years I do sometimes ask (it's in my spec) that a new qualification be provided just to be certain they haven't picked up any bad habits.

regards,
Michel

 

[connectegr]

Michel is correct. I also recommend verifying these qualifications. But, it is frequently ignored. The contractor/fabricator should maintain these qualification records and welding procedure specifications (WPS). As Michel mentioned a welder may have to re-qualify if a procedure has not been used for a while.

Note that a welder certification is also relative to a procedure, process, and position. So a welder qualified for fillet welds, using GMAW, in the horizontal position, may not be qualified for an overhead, CJP, using FCAW-S. This information is in AWS D1.1.

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

Providing fabrication and erection efficient structural design of connections. Consulting services for structural welding and bolting.

 

[Eldorado]

Dcceecy
Asking for welding certification documents is a start. In my past career, having been in the welding inspection business where I certified many welders I can't tell you how many times I received calls verifying papers/cards that had been forged/modified.

If you can, take a minute to call the certifying agency and verify that the documents are valid.

Michel60, as you know, as long as a welder is working for the same employer and has been welding consistently, a 20 year old certification is still valid. I understand your personal "spec", but I do disagree with it. While there is something to be said for extra validation, in MHO many of the truly Professional welders should be given the acceptance specified in D1.1 unless there is reason to doubt their ability. Again, I do respect your position. We all have to determine which matters are most important, I just disagree.

 

[Michel60]

Good afternoon Eldorado,
Agreed they are absolutely valid. I do appreciate your experience but it is something that I just don't personally have the benefit of setting here in my office (looking down from these lofty heights..... Admittedly the clause hasn't gotten much play since an initial flurry of activity after Northridge 1994. Maybe still having it there gives me a little extra measure of comfort knowing I can reach in and make a change if I think necessary. The provision is also available and subject to the discretion of the welding inspector, in any case.

I do appreciate the reply.

regards,
Michel

 

[gtaw]

Generally, the welder is certified by the employer.

Under the auspices of the AWS structural welding codes and ASME B&PV Code, as well as military welding standards, the employer is responsible to ensure their welders are properly qualified.

The qualification part of the process is when the welder takes the performance test consisting of a plate or pipe assembly in the appropriate test position and using the specified welding process and electrode/filler metal combination. The welder must follow a written welding procedure specification, i.e., a recipe to make the required weld. If the welder passes the applicable soundness tests, i.e., guided bend tests, radiographic examination, or a break test in the case of a fillet weld, the employer (or laboratory) completes the welder performance test record with the test variable and test results. The employer (a fabricator, erector, etc.) then signs the certifying statement at the bottom of the test report.

The employer is responsible for the work performed by the employee. It is reasonable to expect the current employer to certify, i.e., signs the certifying statement, attest to the fact the welded is properly qualified. If the employer is not willing to accept responsibility for the welder's work, why should an owner allow the welder to work on the project?

Qualification is the responsibility of the employer. Whether the welder tests on the premises of the employer's facility, takes the test at a third party's facility, or the welder was previously qualified by a previous employer, the current employer is still responsible for certifying the welder is qualified.

The welder can be tested in accordance with AWS D1.1, D1.2, D1.6, etc. by the employer, under the employer’s supervision, or by a third party. Regardless of the code tested to, it is the employer that signs the certification statement attesting to the fact the welder has been properly qualified.

An alternative is for the welder to be tested by an AWS Accredited Test Facility, in which case the AWS issues a welder certification. Currently the test record is not a complete report, i.e., it doesn't list all the test information. There is no space for the current employer to cosign the test repot. As such, the employer is not attesting to the fact the welder is properly qualified. That being the case, why should an owner accept the AWS issued "certification" if the current employer will not sign the paperwork? There appears to be a slight conflict between the AWS ATF program, what the welding code requires, and the employer's legal responsibility under the code. However, it is money making machine for AWS.

Most welding standard, AWS included, revokes the welder's qualifications if no welding using the process for which qualification is held for a period of more than six months.



Best regards - Al