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staunton1  
#1 Posted : 10 August 2010 09:50:06(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
staunton1

Hi, I was wondering if someone could clarify the required training for an operative to arc weld on site? I understand that they must be competent but I know there are training courses available. Does this mean that they must have a welding cert from a training course? I appreciate any help!
Ciarán Delaney  
#2 Posted : 10 August 2010 11:08:51(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

This was dealt with only in the last fortnight on this forum.
Jane Blunt  
#3 Posted : 10 August 2010 12:21:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

It depends on what the welds are. If they are in something that is safety critical, you may need to have coded welders, i.e. those who can demonstrate competence in producing welds that are of the right quality, mechanical and structural integrity. If the welds are not safety critical this may not be necessary.
pastapickles  
#4 Posted : 10 August 2010 15:29:19(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
pastapickles

To add a little confusion If they are Arc Welding on the Network Rail Infrastructure they must have the appropriate Skill on their Sentinel Card (MMA1 to MMA7 or FCAW1 to 4 depending on whats being welded). This should be checked as valid with the National Competence Control Database (NCCA), as well as the usual Personal Track Safety (PTS).
paul.skyrme  
#5 Posted : 10 August 2010 21:45:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
paul.skyrme

Why has the trade of welder been reduced to that of an "operative"? OP I'm not having a pop at you! The welder must be competent to undertake the work required, end of. If they are "time served" then this should be easy to prove. If they are from another trade and are self taught, impossible unless suitably assessed. If they have undergone formal training then this should suffice if suitable and sufficient. When I did my trade a welder had to do 4 years, same as a fitter, a toolmaker or an electrician and there was college attendance at the same level also.
Ciarán Delaney  
#6 Posted : 10 August 2010 22:39:27(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Paul, because more than likely it is an operative been asked to carry out this task. If I called a welder an operative when I worked with a mechanical engineering company here in Cork, there would be a certain part of my anatomy welded to another part!!
bob youel  
#7 Posted : 11 August 2010 07:54:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

I investigated the death of a child a couple of years back where a large steel gate fell on her It was found that the 'operative' [a word that puts all people down in my opinion] was a builder who had hired some electric arc welding kit and welded [if you can call it welding] the 'on site' aspects of the gate a practice that still goes on I am lead to believe All welding should be undertaken by *competent [a person who can actually weld properly!] people so evaluate what is to be welded and get people trained up to that standard and its not always the case that a coded welder would be needed
johnmurray  
#8 Posted : 11 August 2010 08:21:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
johnmurray

Site welding. That would be all-positional welding. Something you just CANNOT teach in a few days. Any monkey can be "trained" to "deposit" a bead of "weld" in a flat (downhand) position that looks good, but is not much good. Training to weld vertically or overhead takes months, and in many cases years. Never mind things such as welding dissimilar metals etc (seen a "welder" (self-taught) welding mild steel to cast steel with MIG....had a good laugh when the gate fell-off the post...another "told-you-so") And I'll point you in the direction of various contracts that go with jobs...which contain clauses like "all welding to be done by competent welders"....and which usually specify the relevant competencies...which is usually a form of coding. Unfortunately...many welders employed today are not coded, nor have they undertaken any form of testing on their abilities. Getting one person "coded" and then tippexing the name out and inserting another, then photocopying the changed paper is quite common. There are LOADS of buildings out there where the welding was done by guys who have had "training" in depositing molten metal in a line. Not welding. Personally, if I was in the biz of paying for a job I'd rather spend a few hundred on getting some sort of testing done on the welder/s before I let them loose on the job...and making sure the guy/guys/gal/gals that have been tested are the ones doing the job !!
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