Read the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) approved code of practice.

It gives guidance on the relevant level of technical/engineering qualifications required to undertake such work.

Depends on the exact sisze of the system that you will be writing a WSE for/inspecting as to the level of qualifications - probably I Eng as a minimum.

Thanks both - I've trawled through the ACOP and it looks like we may be able to meet the recommendations for competence. The only systems that we write WSEs for are classed as 'minor' systems so we only need to have someone qualified at incorporated engineer level with suitable knowledge of the systems, equipment and legislation. Our production manager can put ticks in all of those boxes so after a bit of a review of our procedures and paperwork we'll be back 'on track.'

And I thank you for that sobering thought! :-)

We have a handful of our field engineers who conduct the inspections in accordance with our standard procedure. Their findings are then reported to our office where results are collated and an (automated) report is generated, it is at this point that our competent person comes onto the scene as he/she reviews the reports and signs it off (or otherwise) and deals with any adverse findings etc.

The numbers acquired and observations by the site engineers are plugged into a spreadsheet and it spits out a pretty basic go or no go result but this is still all validated by the competent person who signs off the overall certificate/WSE.

This change in personnel has prompted a thorough review of the entire system and will result in some refresher training for the site engineers who conduct the inspections on site as I believe their may well be some inconsistencies in their methods etc. All in all it's probably been a positive thing for us because of the refocussing that has been provoked.