Welding Inspectors 1

[phighfill]

Has anyone here heard a definition of "assistant welding inspectors"? I have heard of CWI and CAWI (associate) but not the term "assistant" at all. The particular specifications we are working to state "Inspection and quality of welds shall conform to the requirements of AWS D1.1. The weld inspection shall be by an AWS Certified Inspector, or Assitant Welding Inspector(s), under the supervision of the AWS Certified Inspector."

Would the assistant welding inspector be watched over like the ASNT level I's, or can they perform visual inspections and if a problem or question arises call the supervisor?

 

[Mr168]

I've seen it used a handful of times in DOT contracts, and always was in reference to (and usually clarified right in the body) a CAWI.

 

[phighfill]

Thanks for the reply.

This project is for nuke modules and the information is very vague (government) in its writing.

 

[gtaw]

The difference between an inspector and a certified inspector is the certified inspector has demonstrated his qualification by passing a requisite test.

There are several certification schemas used and recognized in the US. AWS has two publications available that describes two different certification schemas. The one that has received the most recognition is AWS' QC1 document. It defies how an individual achieves certification through the AWS, i.e., the CAWI, CWI, and SCWI status. It has a sister document, B5.1 which defines the qualification requirements needed to be recognized as an AWI, WI, or SWI. In other words, three levels of qualification are defined, but certification has not been achieved. The second certification schema is for employer based certification. The training, qualification, and certification requirements are defined. The entire program is "owned" by the employer. Certification to the latter schema is not transferable from one employer to the next.

ASNT offers qualification and certification by the employer under the auspices of their SNT-TC-1A (a recommended practice) or CP-189 (a standard). They also offer central certification under the auspices of their ACCP where the examinations and the certification are through ASNT.

In general, the assistant inspector or the associate inspector is not qualified to operate independently. That being said, the employer, certification schema or the contract stipulates what the assistant or associate inspector is permitted to do. Under the auspices of QC1 the responsibilities of the CAWI are severely limited.

Where the AWS certification through QC1 is specific to visual welding inspection, the ASNT certified visual inspector is general and not specific to welding inspection. My personal observation (I am certified through AWS as a SCWI and I was certified as a ACCP Professional NDT Level III - VT, but I let the ACCP VT expire) is that AWS certification is specific to welding inspections and ASNT certification is appropriate for someone that may be involved as a "receiving inspector" where it is necessary to know a little about everything.

As noted, I let the ACCP – VT certification expire because it served little purpose relative to my practice. That isn’t to say it is of no value to an individual that has broader responsibilities, but relative to joining, my area of expertise, not so much.


Best regards - Al