Services

1.  Introduction
  a. Brief introduction of the scope of ASME Sec IX. This course will focus on the QG and QW only

2.  Definitions

3.  Article I General Requirements
  a. Weld test positions for groove and fillet welds
  b. Types and purposes of tests and examinations
  c.  Acceptance criteria for tension, guided-bend, and fillet-weld test, Brief on Toughness testing.
  d. How to calculate the ultimate tensile strength

4. Article II Welding Procedure Qualifications
  a. Requirements for PQR and WPS
  b. Welding Variables Focusing on Essential and Nonessential. Brief on supplementary
  c. How to reference the definitions and tables in Article IV

5. Article III Welding Performance Qualifications
  a. Requirements for welder and welding operator testing and continuity
  b. Welding variables
  c. How to reference the definitions and tables in Article IV

6. Article IV How to reference the definitions and tables

7. Article V Standard Welding Procedures Specifications
  a. Brief explanation of Standard welding procedures

8. Bonus
  a. Discussion on the importance of filler metal selection. References to API 577 and API 582
  b. Dissimilar weld cracking from API 571 and 582

1. Introduction

a. Emphasis on the importance of good report writing and filing as an inspector

2. Various code requirements for reports

a. ASME B 31.3
b. ASME Sec V
c. API 510
d. API 570
e. API 653

3. Types of reports examples

a.  Fabrication Packages
b.  Daily Inspection
c.  NDE
d.  NCR
e.  Internal/External Inspections
f.  Vendor Surveillance
g.  RCFA
h.  Kickoff / Lessons Learned

4.  Business Writing

“A guide to clear, concise, and effective writing”

NOTICE: API does not currently accept communication classes for CPD’s needed for certification renewals. However, these underrated fundamental core skills in this course will help you excel in your career as an Inspector. I have reached out to API and this course is up for review with the Governance board and awaiting response. If you feel like taking it, you are welcome to.

AWS does recognize communication as a job task, and these hours can be used for a 9-year CWI renewal.
QC1:2016 16.5.1 – PDH’s may be earned by participating in any classroom, correspondence, or distance learning in one or more subject areas listed in AWS B5.1, Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors, Table 1. There is no maximum of PDHs that may be accepted for recertification under this provision, but all PDHs claimed must be accompanied by a course description and certificate of completion indicating the number of contact hours.
B5.1 Table 5.1 under knowledge and skills: (2) Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Throughout my career, I have seen a lot of excessive and unnecessary rework because of poor communication. This course is written by an Inspection Supervisor with over 13 years of experience in inspection and over 20 years of experience in the industry. It provides real-world scenarios you face as an Inspector or QA/QC. These are the skills I have learned over the years that contribute to my success. I started as a Pipefitter Helper and these are the things I struggled with early on in my Inspection career. I am currently an Inspection Supervisor. I have used every one of these skills and have been in corporate (RCA’s) Root Cause Analysis and conducted international (FAT) Factory Acceptance Tests.

 
1.  Professional Communication for Inspectors and QA/QC

1. Elements of communication
2. Communication Do’s and Don’ts
   1. Understand when to use technical jargon
3. Listening Do’s and Don’ts
   1. Use open-ended questions
      Learn active listening skills
   2. Electronic Communication Etiquette
4. Understand body language
5. Inspection Manager or Supervisor: how to set expectations
   1. Difficult Conversations
      1. How to Give/Receive Professional Constructive Criticism
      2. Dealing with underperformers
   2. Understand the generational differences
6. International Communication Tips
   1. In the industry, you will work with people from all over the world. Learn to understand the common breakdowns in communication.
   2. These tips will help you if you go on a (FAT) Factory Acceptance Test internationally.

2.  Meeting Rules
These rules apply to every type of meeting from project kickoff meetings, updates, developing repair plans, RCA’s, etc.

• How to run and keep your meetings on track
• Skilled Interrupting: how to professionally interrupt someone to regain control of your meeting
• How and when to be the Devil's Advocate to avoid groupthink
   
  3.  Inspector Temperament and De-escalation Techniques
  These skills are vital when dealing with high-stress situations Inspectors face.
  Examples: Major Equipment Failures, Significant Findings that delay outages, and NCRs causing extensive rework that add cost and delays to the schedule. How you handle high-stress situations defines your character

a. How you deliver findings has a significant impact on how you are perceived
  - Is it fact and logic-based?
  - Do you perpetually make a mountain out of a molehill?

b.  Understanding Engineering will not accept all of your recommendations

       - Can be either a specification deviation or (FFS) Fitness for service assessment

c.  Understand the difference between being assertive and aggressive

d.  Understand the difference between confidence and arrogance

e.  How to remain calm in these high-stress situations

4.  Decision Making Skills

These are vital for collaborating with Engineering on repair plans or developing ITPs for inspections needed.

a.  Critical and Strategic Thinking and how they apply to inspectors

• • Development of (ITP) Inspection Test Plans
      - The best ITPs are made by looking at a project in its entirety and determining the critical hold points at the ideal opportunity to witness them
      - By looking at it from this perspective you can potentially catch things before they become a major issue
      - This can prevent unnecessary rework and/or delays in schedule (capital projects and equipment repairs)
  • Reviewing drawings for projects By using experience as an Equipment Inspector to think about commonly seen issues that need to be addressed in the design phase. This can make the equipment more reliable
  • Developing scopes of work for an inspection project

5.  Understanding Common Biases and Logical Fallacies
These impede your investigations and are vital for RCA’s and lessons learned meetings at the closeout of a project. Helps you look from an unbiased, fact-based position to fully understand the breakdowns that caused the failure. The goal is to prevent recurrences