No... CWI's are not welding supervisors... So there is no ratio of one to another that would fit across industry.
Welders make welds,
CWI's among other tasks inspect welds.
Tell us a little more about why you are asking.... Is it a work load question?
That we might be able to help you with :)
By 455
Date 02-08-2016 02:36
Yes, I understand CWI's are not supervisors. Yes, it is a workload question. We mainly work in the oil industry (refineries) and can run anywhere from 2 to over 100 welders depending upon the workload and time of year. When we start getting busy and go to supervision and ask for more CWI's, they always try and limit us on inspectors so we have to run lean until we cannot keep up. It would just be nice if there were some kind of guidelines.
455,
WELCOME TO THE AWS WELDING FORUM!!
I have seen some outfits try to push so hard that "continuous inspections" meant that one CWI needed to be present to watch each and every weld being made in its' entirety that you would have to have as many inspectors as welders. They failed. Totally bogus assumption and interpretation of AISC and AWS codes.
It should be up to honest inspectors as to how much of a work load they can handle and if additional personnel is required. Again, key word is 'honest' and hard to find where they aren't just trying to load certain pockets while lessening each ones work load.
There is no hard and fast rule, ratio, or even suggestion. And, it will depend upon what function is being considered: QC or QA. There is a lot of difference in the required work and how much each one can competently watch at one time.
To me, it is easier to say you need a separate person for NDT and CWI. On a job of any size where the technician is doing his job correctly, especially with UT, you can't even begin to do the observations needed by the CWI while being all over the job doing UT and MT. Not to mention the added time with reports that detracts from your available time for observation.
He Is In Control, Have a Great Day, Brent
By 455
Date 02-08-2016 02:39
No. They do not try to push continuous inspections. We know what is required of us at the site and yes, sometimes it is hard to determine workload from one CWI to another. And yes, sometimes they could and should be able to do more in the field. Thanks for your input.
There is levels of the criticalness of the weld and other factors. In general the engineer is the one to call out inspection points and level of inspection. In total as an CWI / Inspector be careful on what you say and write.
Sincerely
Len Andersen
www.lenandersen.com
More welders equal to more production welds. If you are working as QC inspector for contractor, it is normal that the task given to you is to perform 100% inspection on every stage of fabrication or erection. I have not seen an Inspection & Test Plan that says it’s only random inspection need to perform by contractor’s QC. However, the TPI normally perform random inspection except for those Hold Point inspection decided by the Owner Engineer.
When the TPI reported many non conformances on the items said inspected by in-house QC, then the QC Supervisor / Manager has to look into the problem. You have to speak up if you think that you are overloaded and can’t perform well the task assigned to you.
Don’t report and sign an inspection that you didn’t perform unless your participation is only random inspection as per agreement. The particular items that you randomly selected for inspection must be recorded, this is to protect your reputation.
If regulatory requirement is applicable, then it should be stated in the project specification.
No. The powers that be sign the contracts with dollar signs in their eyes, then act horrified when QA tells them the list of NMR's they agreed to...even if they don't appear on the contract...."what do you mean we have to go look on their website for the specifications? It should be on the contract!!"
