By Mary Ruth Johnsen Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Some issues of this magazine take on a life of their own, taking a departure from what I originally planned. This is one of those. I had thought it would be filled mostly with “how to inspect” type articles, but as feature articles started coming in, I soon realized it was reshaping itself into an issue mostly covering the “business” of being a CWI. I met Brent Boling at FABTECH 2011 in Chicago. We talked about the magazine, and I suggested he write an article for it. He declined because, like many of you, he thinks others are the experts in this field and he’s just an everyday working guy. We met again at FABTECH 2012 in Las Vegas, and I extended the invitation once more. This time he thought seriously about it and submitted the article titled Being in Business as a CWI that appears on page 24 of this issue and then a short while later another article that will appear later this year. I think he offers some insights you’ll benefit from. He discusses the various types of insurance you may need for your business, tax liabilities, safetyrelated qualifications, equipment requirements, and the need to set aside funds for the many codes and standards you’ll need to work to, all from the point of view of someone who has been there and done that. Chris Brown reminds us that CWIs can’t be complacent about their jobs. They shouldn’t think that because one inspection job seems similar to many they’ve done before that it truly is the same, or assume they don’t need to review the code requirements, but can rely on their memories. It’s a lesson he learned through his own experience. His discussion on “routine” inspections begins on page 21. Although my work for the American Welding Society has provided opportunities to travel, I’m away from home only a short time. I’ve never had to even think about what it would take to work in another country with a language and culture different from what I’m familiar and comfortable with. But I got the opportunity to experience it vicariously through the four inspectors who offered Tips for Working Overseas (page 15). If you are considering taking a job that will place you in a foreign environment, be sure to read what they have to say. They offer guidance on how to adapt to different working and living situations. And even if you’ll never leave your hometown, read it anyway; I found their experiences fascinating, and I believe you will too. While these four men were in contact only with me, not with one another, interestingly, they all came to the same basic conclusion: During an overseas assignment, live by the Golden Rule and immerse yourself in the language and culture of the host country; if you do so, you’ll do fine. And because we never want to neglect the “how to” part of the business of being a CWI, the fourth article by Michael Lang (page 19) discusses inspecting austenitic stainless steel tube and pipe systems in hygienic applications. I think this issue covers some valuable topics. I hope you agree. Publisher Andrew Cullison cullison@aws.org Editor Mary Ruth Johnsen mjohnsen@aws.org Associate Editors Howard Woodward woodward@aws.org Kristin Campbell kcampbell@aws.org Editorial Assistant Melissa Gomez mgomez@aws.org Production Editor Zaida Chavez zaida@aws.org Senior Production Coordinator Brenda Flores bflores@aws.org National Sales Director Rob Saltzstein salty@aws.org Advertising Sales Representative Lea Paneca lea@aws.org Senior Advertising Production Manager Frank Wilson fwilson@aws.org Subscriptions Representative Tabetha Moore tmoore@aws.org American Welding Society 8669 Doral Blvd., Ste. 130 Miami, FL 33166 (800/305) 443-9353 Copyright Copyright © 2013 by American Welding Society in both printed and electronic formats. The Society is not responsible for any statement made or opinion expressed herein. Data and information developed by the authors of specific articles are for informational purposes only and are not intended for use without independent, substantiating investigation on the part of potential users. 6 Inspection Trends / April 2013
Inspection Trends | April 2013
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