I agree Brent... Is A5.3 a filler metal spec? Hmmm.... The bottom line is the welder is NOT qualified to weld in the vertical position whether it's uphill or downhill if his qualification test was done in the flat & horizontal positions only... That's a "no brainer" to explain...
Finally, I wouldn't confront the welder after what happened today or even before the incident occurred... I would instead have contacted someone like his supervisor to call him in to the office, and have chat with him so that he can be informed of your responsibilities in the shop which I assume is QC correct? And to explain to the welder in the most understandable manner why he's not qualified to weld vertical whether it be uphill or downhill progression... And to remind him also that he's not to create a commotion in the shop like he did today and instead inform his supervisor of any issues he may have in the shop including any with you... And this all could have been avoided if you would have acted accordingly in the manner expected of you to pursue instead.. Please let me elaborate further...
I wouldn't have confronted the welder initially when I noticed that he wasn't qualified to weld in the vertical position if I were in your shoes... I would have got in touch with his immediate supervisor instead and explain to him why... So that the welder in question can be informed of the issue, and then subsequently qualified to weld via testing in the vertical position and correct the issue... I would also explain to his supervisor that an NCR is going to be written up and issued for all of the vertical welds that were already deposited by an unqualified welder for that position (Vertical with a downward progression), and not to accept the product is it stands until such actions as removal & replacement of the welds are performed by a qualified welder to that same position with whatever progression chosen for qualification ( The qualified welder must then weld in the same progression they qualified with) in order to get this issue into compliance...
Now when you do this, you must make sure you have chapter and verse (Clause and subclauses where it's written in the code book and anything else that may be in the contract specifications that's relevant to this issue) if you will, ready and available for the supervisor to review before you discuss the issue with them first, or else you're not going to be looked upon as a professional who has thorough knowledge of navigating, and understanding of the code & contract specs and they will question your ability to act as QC for the job/project in question...
Remember that it's not required of you to stop the welder for doing something you don't agree with, or isn't applicable to the code & contract being worked with... Instead of walking into a potential problem, you should always take issue with the immediate supervisor, and if they don't agree then simply inform them that you are going to write an NCR (Non-Conformance Report) for the work in question... Always act cordial and in a professional manner towards anyone no matter what level in the hierarchy they represent in the company you're working with... Remember what you first learned about your duties, and responsibilities as a CWI and you will avoid the issues regarding proper communication and potential confrontations ...
What's your job? To observe and report to the proper authority any problems you encounter regarding code, or even contractual compliance whether it's in the shop or in the field... You are not the welders supervisor, and you should always remember to communicate in a diplomatic manner even if the person is disrespectful or just plain nasty... And always maintain the option of dragging up and going on down the road if you think there's no chance that you will be able to help them comply if in fact this is the issue here...
If they are violating, or attempting to do so the ethics principles you were taught, don't buy into it because, if you accept this type of behavior, you're not worth a hill of buffalo turd if you don't maintain and protect your integrity... Not to mention any probable future liability issues that can pop up out of nowhere... Let his encounter be a lesson for you to remember and you'll go a long way.
Respectfully,
Henry