A welding inspector is an individual who is responsible for

overseeing
all the activities and duties of the welding staff and ensuring that
everything is in proper working manner. A welding inspectors job is
to make sure that the welders work within the set quality and deadline
specifications. He is also required to have advanced knowledge of the
welding procedures and processes so that he can guide his
subordinates
when they are faced with confusion. If you want to know about the
various job responsibilities of a welding inspector, then you can go
through the following given part of this article.

A welding inspector is responsible for assigning duties and tasks to

welding staff so that they can work together as a team and complete
the given work within the deadline.

A welding inspector must assist the welding staff and inspect their
working. He/she should help in problem solving whenever there is
confusion or deadlock in the working process.

It is the job responsibility of a welding inspector to perform various

kinds of tests on welding machines to ensure that they are properly
working and are not malfunctioned.

Another job responsibility of a welding inspector is to ensure that

all the welding related tasks that are being done are as per safety
regulations and set standards.
It is the job responsibility of a welding inspector to perform visual
inspections on the welded items which are still in progress to check
for deformities or scope for improvement.

One of the responsibilities of a welding inspector is to use stress

equipments so as to put stress over the weld joints.

It is the job responsibility of a welding inspector to record the

readings of tests so that they can be used in the future for
reference.

Certified welding inspectors work on new building construction as

well
as manufacturing.

Welding inspectors ensure that the work produced by welders meets

specifications for quality and safety. Certification ensures that
inspectors have the appropriate skills for determining the quality of
welds. The inspector performs tests on welds to determine whether
weld
joints can handle stress. The work of welding inspectors ensures that
construction welds used on building structures and bridges are safe
for public use.

(1) Codes, standards and specifications: Interpretation of the intent

and ensuring the requirements of codes, standards and specifications
are met.
(2) Welding procedures: Ensuring that a procedure is available, has
been approved and is being employed in production.

(3) Witnessing of welder and procedure approval tests: Witnessing

the preparation of test plates and destructive tests and verifying
compliance with appropriate standards and specifications.

(4) Welder approvals: Verifying that adequate and valid welder

approvals are available, and that only approved welders are used in
production.

(5) Parent material: Verifying parent material against documentation

and markings.

(6) Welding consumables identity: Verification of correctness of

welding consumables (electrodes, filler wires, consumable inserts,
gases, fluxes etc.)

(7) Pre-weld inspection: Verification that dimensions, fit-up and

weld preparations are in accordance with specifications.

(8) Preheating: Verification that any required preheat is in

accordance with the specified procedure.

(9) In-process welding inspection and surveillance: Surveillance

during welding to verify compliance with specified procedures
including any preheat, interpass temperature control and post heat
requirements.

(10) Inspection and Test Plans: Assistance and agreement with the
preparation of Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs)
(11) Post-weld heat treatment: Verification, when required that post
weld heat treatment has been conducted in accordance with
specification requirements.

(12) Post-weld visual inspection: Visual inspection and dimensional

check of completed weldment against specification requirements and
drawings.

(13) NDT reports: The study and cognisance of NDT results on any
welding work for which the welding inspector is responsible. Where
the duties of the welding inspector include using NDT methods such
as liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, radiography or ultrasonic
inspection then it is suggested that he/she obtains certification in
accordance with the related approval schemes.

(14) Reports: Evaluation of and preparation of inspection reports for

the employer or the client.

(15) Records: Maintenance of records of inspections carried out

A welding inspector should act in a professional manner:

- When reporting unacceptable conditions, always use the correct

terminology.

- Never approve the start of welding until the welding procedure has
been approved.

- Always ensure the welding is being carried out within the limits of
the approved procedure.
- Always be prepared to learn and listen.

- Have inspection experience and knowledge

- Never approve anything that does not meet the requirements unless
it has been accepted by the client.

- Always work with people and not against them.

- Use engineering judgment and commonsense.

- Always seek to obtain respect and cooperation.

- Be in a good physical condition and be able to go where the welder

has been.