Overview
Welding supervision connects technical requirements with actual production. ADLER CertConsulting can provide technical support to in-house staff or take on contractually defined tasks as external welding supervision. This can include the review of requirements, WPS and WPQR, personnel and procedure qualifications, production and inspection planning, support during execution and the handling of non-conformities. Tasks, powers, deputising, availability and the presence required are defined before the start, to suit the business and the applicable rules.
Tasks and competence to ISO 14731
ISO 14731 describes the essential welding-quality-related tasks and responsibilities of welding coordination (the Responsible Welding Coordinator, RWC). What matters is that the person appointed is competent for the tasks assigned to them. Training, qualification and experience must match the product, the materials, welding processes, production conditions and applicable rules. Product standards, customer requirements and contracts can contain additional or more specific requirements.
Support models and deputising
External welding supervision can be particularly useful for smaller and medium-sized manufacturers when no full-time function of their own is needed or when an in-house person is to be supported technically. Two models are possible: ADLER CertConsulting supports an internally appointed welding coordinator with selected tasks, or a suitable external specialist takes on a clearly described area of tasks. A time-limited deputy arrangement can also be agreed, provided that competence, availability and acceptance under the applicable rules are ensured.
For a single project-related welding task, assembly sites or the integration of a specialist into an existing project organisation, "welding supervision and welding coordination" from ADLER Overhead Services is the leading service. The technical activities can overlap; ADLER CertConsulting leads where the manufacturer organisation, formal appointment or manufacturer qualification is the reason.
Need and involvement
Before appointment, the need is reviewed. A business with recurring workshop production and a few stable procedures needs different support from a manufacturer with several sites, changing materials, assembly assignments or demanding customer rules. The execution class, ISO 3834 quality level or HP 0 scope must therefore not be considered independently of the actual fabrication scope.
The manufacturer assigns tasks, responsibility and powers to the welding supervision. This also includes access to the necessary information and the ability to intervene effectively in the event of welding-related non-conformities. A purely formal appointment, without involvement in work preparation, production, inspection and the handling of non-conformities, does not serve this purpose.
Presence and responsibility
ADLER CertConsulting can carry out the agreed tasks in regular sessions, on a case-by-case basis and partly remotely. How much on-site presence is required depends on production risks, changes, new procedures, personnel, shifts, sites and the requirements of the applicable rules. Blanket remote support without a review of the operational situation is not promised.
The external specialist is responsible for the proper performance of the tasks effectively assigned to them. Management, or the manufacturer, remains responsible for the operational organisation, resources, appointment and powers, and for the product and its conformity. Certification, test and acceptance decisions of independent bodies are not replaced by the welding supervision.
Areas of service
- technical support for in-house welding coordinators
- taking on defined tasks as external welding supervision
- governed deputising during holidays, illness or transition periods
- review of technical and contractual welding requirements
- technical review of WPS, WPQR and their ranges of validity
- operational approvals within the assigned scope of authority
- monitoring of welder and operator qualifications
- assessment of the procedure qualifications required
- welding, manufacturing and inspection planning
- coordination of test bodies and laboratories
- support of fabrication, assembly and repairs
- handling of welding-related non-conformities
- questions of parent materials, filler materials and traceability
- support with ISO 3834, EN 1090 and AD 2000 HP 0
- preparation and support for external assessments
Frequently asked questions
Can welding supervision be provided externally?
A suitable external person can take on defined welding-supervision tasks if the applicable rules allow this and competence, tasks, powers, availability and involvement are appropriately governed. The appointment is made by the manufacturer.
What qualification must the welding supervision have?
The competence required follows the assigned tasks, products, materials, procedures and applicable rules. A particular qualification title alone does not automatically prove suitability for every fabrication scope.
Does external welding supervision have to be present at all times?
Not as a blanket rule. The amount of presence needed depends on the production, risks, changes, shifts, sites and the requirements of the applicable rules. It must be set so that the assigned tasks can actually be performed effectively.
Can ADLER CertConsulting only support an in-house welding supervision?
Yes. The in-house person can remain in post and receive technical support with WPS, WPQR, inspection planning, non-conformities, documentation or audit preparation. Tasks and interfaces are clearly described in this model too.
Who approves welding procedure specifications or repairs?
That follows the company matrix of tasks and powers and the applicable rules. External welding supervision can carry out technical reviews and operational approvals only within the scope effectively assigned to it.
Who bears the manufacturer responsibility?
The manufacturer remains responsible for the organisation, resources, appointment and powers of the welding supervision, and for the product and its conformity. The external person is responsible for the proper handling of the tasks specifically assigned to them.
Can external welding supervision cover several sites?
That can be possible if the fabrication scope, availability, presence, deputising and the requirements of the applicable rules allow effective support. Each site and each activity must be taken into account within the agreed scope.