An Update from Weld Australia’s Hotline
Weld Australia offers a ‘Hotline’ service to all Corporate Members. The purpose of the Hotline is not to provide a solution, but to advise the enquirer on practical next steps. For further advice, Weld Australia’s highly experienced welding consultants can speak to you over the phone or visit your site in person. If you have a Hotline query, complete our online contact form and we will respond as soon as possible: www.weldaustralia.com.au/hotline. The Weld Australia Hotline recently received a query from a member in relation to AS/NZS 1554.1 and the role of Welding Supervisors and contractors in the overall fabrication process. The member wanted an interpretation from Weld Australia about how the requirements of the Standard aligned with their business practices. What is AS/NZS 1554.1? AS/NZS 1554.1 was originally published in 1974 and is based on the fundamental principles and practices of the North American AWS D1.1. The Standard refers specifically to structural steel welding, and is crucial for the welding of steel structures made up of several combinations of steel plates, sections, or sheet metals. In practice, welds that are completed under this Standard should be produced at minimal cost, meet compliance levels, and eradicate any rework or post-weld inspection and examinations. Crucially, the Standard requires the fabricator to maintain a suitable system of quality management to ensure the overall quality of a weld, which falls into two categories: 1. Quality management: fabricators should ensure a well-managed and maintained quality
This Hotline update covers a specific query encountered during the last few months. Whilst accuracy in welding is critical, it is impossible to report in detail the full circumstances of the query. As such, Weld Australia recommends that further technical advice is sought in relation to specific, individual circumstances.
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management system that correctly applies the requirements of AS/NZS 1554 is used. 2. Basic welding requirements: personnel should understand the requirements for technical inputs required to control the welding process under this Standard. Like other Standards, AS/NZS 1554 outlines four fundamental values when conducting a weld: 1. Welds shall be made in accordance with a qualified welding procedure 2. Welds shall be carried out by a welder suitably qualified to carry out such a procedure 3. Welds shall be carried out under the supervision of a Welding Supervisor 4. Welds shall comply with the requirements of the Standard In line with the Standard, companies must appoint a Welding Supervisor. The role of a Welding Supervisor is to ensure that the weld process is managed before, during, and after a weld. A Welding Supervisor may be seen as a job title, or a certain qualification attained by an employee. Therefore, it is critical that organisations specify the qualifications and requirements for their individual needs and services, and are transparent about any particular changes. Some of the key responsibilities recommended for Welding Supervisors under AS/NZS 1554.1 include: • Working knowledge of AS/NZS 1554 • An understanding of welding safety • Basic cost estimation • Contract review and forward planning • Understanding the selection and care of parent materials • An understanding of welding consumables • Weld process control • An understanding of weld procedures, including the application of essential variables
