Welding Inspection Certification
Third party welding inspection is an independent review of the welds themselves to confirm compliance to customer and/or governing standard requirements. For example CSA Standard S16 requires that third-party welding inspection (visual and/or NDE) has to be conducted by welding inspection organizations to CSA Standard W178.1 when specified by the owner and/or performed by persons certified as welding inspector to Level 2 or 3 of CSA Standard W178.2.
While CSA Standard W178.1 "Certification of Welding Inspection Organizations" specifies the requirements for establishing and maintaining the certification of welding inspection organizations, CSA Standard W178.2 "Certification of Welding Inspectors" provides requirements for certification of welding inspector personnel. These two different certification standards that are administered by the CWB include the following key requirements:
Certification of Welding Inspection Organizations
- Inspection must be conducted by competent, certified individuals (Both visual welding inspectors and NDE (e.g. ultrasonic, radiography) personnel.
- Inspection operations must be overseen by competent, qualified individual(s), known as the Welding Inspector Supervisor.
- Inspection must follow inspection procedures, independently approved by the CWB, for each of the product categories included in the scope of operations.
- Formal inspection reports must be provided to the customer which covers the result of findings.
- Organizations must demonstrate ongoing compliance to all requirements of the standard by undergoing an annual 3rd party audit by the CWB.
Certification of Welding Inspectors
- Individuals must meet a minimum number of years of experience and/or have completed training programs in accordance to the Level of certification sought.
- Individuals must demonstrate required technical knowledge through completion of both written and practical examinations.
- Individuals must meet minimum vision requirements.
- Individuals must demonstrate ongoing involvement in welding inspection activities and an understanding of current product standard requirements.
CWB certification provides an added level of confidence and assurance that the documentation, certification of personnel and organization's operational procedures are independently verified against the requirements of the standards, and thereby minimizes liability and public safety risks.
See the listing of all organizations that currently meet the requirements of CSA Standard W178.1 and individuals certified to CSA Standard W178.2
