By Chris T. Brown Feature How to Handle ‘Routine’ Inspections Inspectors should not fall into the trap of thinking they’ve seen it all before Each day, inspectors perform thousands of weld and component inspections utilizing various inspection methods including visual, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, radiography, and ultrasonic techniques. As inspectors we go through rigorous training, experience requirements, and qualification to become certified in our inspection disciplines. When I have the opportunity to work with trainees, it seems their focus and attention to detail is concentrated and often intense. Their willingness to seek advice, ask questions, and observe experienced inspectors at work is commendable. Typically, without question, their desire to perform work correctly, safely, and with confidence is important to them. They recognize the importance of what they are doing and feel their work plays a key role in the success of the final product. A great deal of time, effort, and expense is put into the initial qualification and certification of these new inspectors. Hours of book study and research regarding the various codes and standards are required to pass the knowledge-based tests. Hundreds of hours of on-the-job training are required to pass the demonstration tests. Once all of the requirements for certification are completed satisfactorily, the inspector is certified to perform the work. When a person enters the field as a certified inspector for the first time everything is new and can be somewhat overwhelming. He or she is no longer a casual observer or trainee collecting experience hours without accountability. Instead, the new Fig. 1 — Ultrasonic examination being performed on heat exchanger supports. Even if you’ve performed similar inspections in the past, you need to properly and thoroughly prepare for each inspection job. inspector now has the responsibility to sign on the dotted line, to determine pass or fail. At this point in a young inspector’s career very little is routine. In fact, what once appeared to be very simple as a noncertified individual who was an observer may seem surprisingly difficult now that he or she has the responsibility for acceptance or rejection. Over a time period that stretches from weeks to years, an inspector becomes more experienced and more confident about the inspections being performed. Familiarity with procedures, codes and standards, and equipment begins to set in. At some point all of the formal training, book learning, and absolute reliance on the codes, standards, and procedures may become secondary or even minimized by the experience the person has obtained. Eventually, the inspections being performed may appear to become routine due to the fact the inspector has performed similar inspections multiple times, using the same procedures, equipment, and acceptance criteria time and time again. At some point, the inspector may have his or her routine pretty much set in stone with little room for enhancement or change. Sometimes Inspection Trends / Spring 2013 21
Inspection Trends | April 2013
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