A Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is a union or non-unionized person who has undergone rigorous testing to prove that he or she has the knowledge and the skill to assess and inspect elements in order to ensure that they are functioning properly for the manufacture and fabrication of structural steel parts, mechanical piping, boilers, and anything designed and fabricated to a specific code. These inspectors must also have extensive training, experience, and knowledge in order to be able to effectively perform the job. They must be licensed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) official agency that manages the regulation of laboratory equipment, testing procedures, and other scientific procedures used in the design and manufacture of laboratory instruments and apparatus. NIST does not have a regulatory role within the welding industry, which means that this agency does not oversee the practices of certified welding inspectors who are not certified. A certified welding inspector is the only person within the industry who can provide quality assurance for the processes of both certified and non-certified welders.
Certification means that the person has undergone rigorous testing that involves observing the person’s physical attributes, knowledge, and skills to make sure that he or she is capable of performing the job as requested. This testing ensures that the person meets all standards of competence, including knowledge, experience, qualification, and experience in his field of work.
A certified welding inspector is usually the person whose eyes are the first to notice defects in a welding project, problems with a welding machine, improper or non-functioning workstations, poor quality welds, dangerous situations, and improper installation. These inspectors are expected to identify and report problems so that they can be fixed and corrected before they become a risk to workers.
Many of these inspectors work independently, but most of them are required to submit their reports to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). They need to meet certain criteria in order to become certified. If a Certified Welding Inspector is not licensed and certified to perform his job, he will not be allowed to perform inspections of the same type on the welding projects that he is currently performing.
Certified inspectors are usually paid by the job, and some companies will pay an hourly rate to their certified inspectors. In some cases, they are paid by the hour. It depends on the specific requirements of each employer.
Certified inspectors can be paid by the job or by the inspection completed. Some employers pay the cost of all inspections, while others may pay the cost of the inspection done on an individual basis, such as a specific number of inspections in a particular span of time, a specific amount of inspections every six months or so, or based on the number of projects that they inspect.
Each state and locality has specific certification requirements, depending on the certification and license level that you have completed. Most states require a minimum certification level for welding inspector certification before they will allow a person to do the testing for the certification.
Certified welding inspectors are also trained and certified to perform an inspection and evaluation of welds. The process usually consists of several different aspects. First, an inspector makes an impression of the weld on paper by making a mark, usually with a pen or other tool. Then the inspector marks the weld on a sheet of metal, sometimes using an iron oxide pencil, to create a three-dimensional view of the weld so that he can see its actual shape.
An important element involves the use of a camera. The inspector holds the camera with both hands and looks into the camera, making it possible to make the best impressions possible. If a problem is found during the inspection, the inspector will make a verbal observation, report the problem, take photos and make drawings if necessary, and discuss the situation with the client.
After inspecting and evaluating the weld, the inspector’s observations will help the client decide how much repair work should be done. He may suggest changing welds or weld fittings to increase the safety of the welds. He will also give recommendations for any repairs that might need to be made.
Welding is one of the most important activities of any construction job, yet many people have no idea how to weld properly. Welding involves using hot metal to join two pieces of metal together. This activity is very risky, so it is important for employers to make sure that their employees understand how to weld safely.