Best Choice for AWS Certified Welding Inspector: Engineer, NDE, Welder/Fitter/Foreman Background? 1

[racookpe1978]

What, in your experience, is the best field and background for accepting applicants with an existing CWI?

And, what background is best for recommending current hires into the week-long CWI class for the next exam?

We've got several people who have the experience required, but who now can't physically stay active all 12 hour shifts. Shorter periods for inspections - like an NDE examiner or tech - can be managed safely are different than long hours curled up around a pipe like a welder needs. (Example: knee (arthritis beginning for an engineer), hand (tendon damage) to a welder, repetitive stress injury to a turbine blader's hand. They can safely work in the plants, but not as dextrously nor as long as when they were younger.)

 

[gtaw]

The CWI has to go where the work is. That means different things for different industries. It may include climbing ladders, working in uncomfortable positions, working long extended hours, working at height, working in confined spaces, etc.

The candidate for the CWI must have good eye sight, with or without corrective eyewear. Blind inspectors make just a little more money than the blind welders.

Not all CWI jobs/work are as cushy as they seem to an outsider.

Best regards - Al

 

[racookpe1978]

Granted: Adequate mobility and access to the joints are assumed.

More important, I realize that I'm taking their integrity (to enforce and check provisions and accuracy of each fit and each weld), intelligence (ability to pass the course and exam) and reason (ability to find, read, and interpret each law and each dwg correctly and accurately), ability to do the measurements and checks accurately and timely) and effort (to do the job properly) for granted in recommending any of these guys for the positions.

 

[Ron]

Having an engineer as a CWI doesn't necessary result in more competence. It can sometimes be a detriment. Some want to take liberties with acceptance of issues that should clearly be the prerogative of the engineer of record. This creates both logistic and liability issues. Conversely, those who don't understand the engineering implications of the inspection are doomed to only follow rote instruction.

Bottom line is that it depends on the individual, their personality, their technical bearing and their ability to understand fully the requirements of inspection.

I've been a CWI and have hired and supervised many. Nothing is a guarantee. You have to pay attention!

 

[tbuelna]

I would not think someone with an engineering background would be the best candidate for an inspector position. While an engineer would obviously bring a high level of technical knowledge, they would also be more likely to leave when a better job offer comes along.

The best QA people I have worked with were usually those that worked their way up through manufacturing and demonstrated they had the ability to pay attention to even the smallest details and follow directions to the letter. They rarely made mistakes and they were a pleasure to work with.

 

[Mr168]

If I had to pick, I'd opt for your NDE guy. Only on the basis that they are inherently familiar with the idea of a go/no-go acceptance criteria. However, this does not address the other aspects inherent to being an "inspector" that do not deal with inspection.

That said, I have met:

1. Welders/fitters/foremen who have declared a weld "slicker than goose sh*t", only to have it rejected on every conceivable bit of criteria there is.

2. NDE guys who couldn't read a drawing, print, or review a procedure if their life depended on it.

3. Welding Engineers who have never seen a weld other than in pictures, and who wouldn't know what shade lens you need to wear when sub arc welding.


As Ron said - it's more about the individual than a given category of individuals.