Recently we came across a project where questions arose concerning the welders on the job. The Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) was well written and listed the welders who would be making the welds on the piping being installed. But when asked to see the welders “certification records,” those records were older than six (6) months. Some welders last certification was over five years and only one, the newest hire for this project, had a certification within the past six (6) months. Sadly, the project manager and superintendent both were aware of these deficiencies and their defense… “XXX never used to ask for all this documentation” – i.e., hence we thought we could get away with it! On another sad note, XXX was more upset when they found out they had been paying for certified welders, but all but one of the welders doing the actual work were not certified (i.e., the contractor was making some serious margins on their billable rates) than the fact that about 30% of their pipe installation was not going to be compliant with their chosen RAGAGEP (ASME B31.3)
A “coded welder” whose certification has expired may very well be capable of make sufficient welds; however, we have these layers of administrative controls in place to manage a highly critical aspect of process safety – INSTALLATION to a chosen RAGAGEP! These certifications remain valid as long as the welder submits their “certification maintenance” form(s) every six (6) months as required by the Code of Acceptance that governed their test. As long as they can have it verified on the maintenance form that they are still performing the same welding as originally tested for, their certification remains in effect. It is that easy! Complete the form, have it verified that you have been making the welds you’re certified to make and your certification continues for another six (6) months. This is quite easy for welders who are FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL WELDERS, and may not be so easy for contractors who get 1-2 welders certified for a project and then get “cheap” and decide not to maintain these certifications. Or as in many cases, they forget about submitting the paperwork on time! A 60-day administrative extension period is allowed; HOWEVER, during this time their certification will be considered EXPIRED. If the Maintenance Form is received within the administrative extension period, and the renewal requirements have been met, the certification will be renewed from the date of its expiration.
For example,
Certification issued, June 1, 2016
Certification expires, December 1, 2016
Administrative extension period, December 1, 2016, to February 1, 2017
After February 1, 2017, the welder must re-test, to regain certification
Note: Most codes require maintenance every (6) months