Australian Welding March 2021

AUSTRALIAN

WELDING

AF Gason:

A True Blue Family Company for 75 Years Page 34

Women in Welding:

Mackenzie Gulland, Argyle Engineering Page 22

Q1 | March 2021 Official Journal of Weld Australia weldaustralia.com.au

Q1 | March 2021

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Weld Australia’s Value Proposition

Delivering Value to Members

Weld Australia Contacts National Office PO Box 197 Macquarie Park BC NSW 1670 02 8748 0100 office@weldaustralia.com.au Chief Executive Officer Geoff Crittenden 02 8748 0100 g.crittenden@weldaustralia.com.au Engineering Victor Blain Engineering Team Manager 0409 823 991 v.blain@weldaustralia.com.au

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Training Guy Brooks Training Manager 0488 743 322 g.brooks@weldaustralia.com.au Marketing Donna South National Manager Membership & Marketing 0409 609 031 d.south@weldaustralia.com.au Membership Eva Chun Membership Manager 0417 878 104 e.chun@weldaustralia.com.au

Qualification & Certification Arya Sharifian Qualification and Certification Team Manager 0419 414 901 a.sharifian@weldaustralia.com.au Subscription to Australian Welding is a Weld Australia member benefit included in annual membership fees. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied in any form without the written permission of Weld Australia. Weld Australia and its agents are not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by contributors in this publication, which are not necessarily those of Weld Australia. Publication of any advertisement does not constitute endorsement by Weld Australia of any product, nor warrant its suitability.

March 2021 Contents

Image courtesy of Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia.

A Message From Weld Australia’s President A Message From Weld Australia’s CEO

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Inside the Industry Breaking News

08 Health & Safety: How to Stay Safe When Laser Welding 12 Mental Fitness: Knowing the Signs of a Mental Health Crisis 14 Business Essentials: Tips on Applying for Government Grants 16 The Issue of Non-Compliant Imported Rebar Cages and Steel Reinforcing 18 Women in Welding: Mackenzie Gulland, Argyle Engineering 22 Singer Bob Dylan Sparks Interest in Welding, Inspired by His Childhood 24 The Changing Face of Australian Standards 27 Flow Tech Australia Defends Its Brand with New Certification 28 Apprentices Benefit From HF Hand Constructors New Certification 30 Bhullar Group Gains AS/NZS ISO 3834 Certification 32 AF Gason: A True Blue Family Company For 75 Years 34 AS/NZS 3992 Undergoes Major Changes 38

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Inside Weld Australia An Update from Weld Australia’s Hotline 40 News & Insights into Weld Australia’s Training & Certification 42 All the News from Weld Australia’s Advanced Welder Training Centres 44 An Update from Weld Australia’s Technology Networks 46 Weld Australia Member Directory 48 Fusion Welding Courses 51

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Stay Connected: Never Miss Another Update

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A Message from Weld Australia’s President: David Lake After a tough year in 2020, there seems to be less uncertainty in the market. Over the next 12 months, there should be a steadying of the economy and pipelines of work across the various market sectors. There is a definite positive attitude across all levels of governments and a focus on promoting the Australian industry and local content. 2021 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for Weld Australia and its members. We will continue to focus on the provision of quality member services, training, certification and qualification.

Earlier this month, Weld Australia held its first Board meeting for 2021. During the meeting, I had the opportunity to hear from Weld Australia’s senior leadership team about the wide variety of projects underway and on the horizon for the year.

Member Engagement Weld Australia will continue to bring individual and company members together into a collaborative community to share resources, solve technical problems, and promote the interests of the welding industry. To ensure we achieve these goals, the Membership team has been developing a range of resources to help members make the most of their membership.

We have already launched the Job Board, which is proving to be very popular. All members and guests are able to view jobs and submit enquiries.

The Job Board is available to all users to post and browse jobs, with Technology Network (formerly Industry Group), Premium Corporate and Corporate members able to post vacancies for free.

We will soon roll out other new features, including an online Member Directory and Resource Directory.

The new Member Directory will be a publicly available and searchable directory of Weld Australia company members, providing free exposure on the Weld Australia website. Every Corporate, Premium Corporate and Technology Network member will have a listing in the directory that includes contact details, a logo and a short description of the business, as well as the services they provide and the industries they service.

The Resource Directory will house all of the resources Weld Australia makes available to members and the broader industry, including Technical and Guidance Notes, publications, and fact sheets. Some resources will be available free for all users, while others will be discounted for

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Image: David Lake (President, Weld Australia).

members (with discounts tiered by member type).

Last—but by no means least—the Marketing team has been working on a brand new Weld Australia website. Above all, the new website has been designed with members in mind. It is a cost-effective platform that delivers value to members. Offering improved functionality and streamlined usability, the new website will feature a range of new information and resources. Be sure to keep an eye out for further details on its launch.

Training and Exams Education will continue to play an important role in Weld Australia’s operations this year. The training and exams run by Weld Australia are all essential to securing the future of welding in Australia, as well as ensuring the integrity of in-service welds, and the safety of the general public.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Weld Australia accelerated the development of two new online training courses in 2020: those associated with the International Welding Specialist (IWS) and International Welding Inspector – Basic (IWI-B) certifications.

In addition to these, Weld Australia launched a new online training course early this year. The course is associated with AS 2214 Certification of welding supervisors - Structural steel welding and AS 1796 Certification of welders and welding supervisors Certificate 10. All of our online courses are proving to be extremely popular, selling out repeatedly.

global supply chain opportunities and repeat business, and increases the technical knowledge of all welding personnel, bolstering profitability.

Advanced Welder Training Centres Throughout the year, Weld Australia will continue to support our Advanced Welder Training Centres (AWTCs) in the delivery of individual welder certification to ISO 9606 Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding, and lobby governments to establish even more AWTCs throughout Australia.

Weld Australia has rolled out a range of improvements to its online exam system: WeldQ. All improvements are designed to make exams more accessible (particularly for students in remote or regional areas), while maintaining the rigour of a strict exam environment. To facilitate this, Weld Australia designed its own remote invigilation system after extensive trials and feedback.

We are also working on several pilot programs, including the Advanced Manufacturing School Outreach Program, funded by the New South Wales (NSW) State Government. Phase one of the Program has funded teacher training for 16 schools across the state, covering welding technology, standards, quality, inspection of welds, weld defects and the use of the Soldamatic augmented reality welding simulators. We are hoping to secure funding from other state governments for similar pilots.

Company Certification In the year ahead, Weld Australia will continue its important work in the area of company certification, with a particular focus on certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, and EN 15085 Railway applications – Welding of railway vehicles and components. These Standards are the internationally recognised benchmark for welding quality. Certification increases the likelihood of

Engineering Solutions Weld Australia has designed and implemented innovative ways to deliver inspection, advisory and auditing services by utilising a combination of customer site personnel, local contractors and consultants, and online video conference tools.

These remote services are enabling customers to achieve critical timelines, and the systems will be available to Weld Australia in the future to respond to remote and urgent issues.

Register on the AWCR Today How to Register 1. Go to awcr.org.au 2. Click on ‘Click Here to Register’ 3. Click on ‘Create An Account’ 4. Enter your contact details 5. Verify your email address 6. Login and complete your profile The Australian Welder Certification Register (AWCR) was developed and is managed by Weld Australia. It provides a national framework for qualifying and testing welders to International Standard AS/NZS ISO 9606-1, and provides a raft of benefits for welders and industry alike.

(02) 8748 0100

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awcr.org.au

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AWCR

Australian Welder Certification Register

awcr@weldaustralia.com.au

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A Message from Weld Australia’s CEO: Geoff Crittenden Australia’s jobs-driven COVID-19 recovery must be manufacturing led. Mandating compliance to Australian Standards—whether steel is fabricated in Australia or overseas—is the perfect first step to securing the future of the Australian welding and manufacturing industries. Given a level playing field, Australian welding is internationally price competitive, and of the highest quality. Without regulations that mandate compliance to Australian Standards for the manufacture, fabrication and erection of steel, procurement decisions will continue to focus on the lowest common denominator: cost.

Now more than ever, it is vital that action is taken to secure the future of Australia’s welding and manufacturing industries.

Recent trade tensions with China illustrate just how important this is to our economy. Over the last 12 months, China has imposed trade strikes on half-adozen key industries including coal, wood, wine and seafood.

Yet, China is still taking every opportunity to export their products to Australia, including fabricated steel. Quite rightly, the Federal Government has not imposed reciprocal tariffs on China. With China’s capacity to inflict economic pain on us much greater than our own, reciprocal tariffs would likely do more harm than good. However, this situation can—and will—cost jobs in what is still quite a fragile industry.

For instance, the jobs of 150 workers in regional south-west Victoria are under threat following the award of the wind turbine towers contract for the $360 million Ryan Corner wind farm to an overseas company.

Danish company Vestas has sent the contract for the manufacture of 52 wind towers offshore. This is despite the fact that Keppel Prince Engineering— the only manufacturer of wind turbines on mainland Australia—is located just 70km away from the project site. As a result, Keppel Prince will likely be forced to make 150 workers redundant. In a

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Image: Geoff Crittenden (CEO, Weld Australia).

regional town with a population of just 10,000 people, the economic fall-out will be severe.

The contract for the Ryan Corner wind farm comprises some 15,000 tonnes of steel. It is simply galling that a contract of this size has been sent offshore. Local manufacturers like Keppel Prince cannot win jobs on their doorstep when multinational companies like Vestas place a premium on price over and above quality and safety.

Nearly all locally manufactured steel used in Australian major projects is certified by the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels (ACRS). Local fabricators comply to internationally recognised Australian Standards and are certified by the relevant Australian authority. In this way, Government and NonGovernment clients can ensure the quality and safety of projects. Imported steelwork, which does not meet these requirements, is often of inferior quality and may not meet the Australian safety requirements.

Weld Australia has been calling on the Federal Government for the last five years to mandate that all steelwork in Australia—both local and imported— is manufactured and erected according to Australian Standards. The Federal Government must act now to save jobs in regional areas and ensure public safety. The importance of our local manufacturing industry and the development of robust renewable energy sources cannot be underestimated when it

comes to Australia’s post-COVID recovery.

The Federal Government has asserted that job creation is vital to our economic recovery. And yet, it seems unwilling to protect existing jobs.

Australia’s jobs-driven COVID-19 recovery must be manufacturing led. Overseas, investment in advanced manufacturing is prioritised by governments. Local industry and populations support manufacturing by buying locally-made goods.

As a result, manufacturing employs millions of people in overseas markets, contributing billions of dollars to their economies. Now is the time to make manufacturing a national priority. Government, at all levels, must support and invest in the manufacturing sector to aid its growth. Mandating compliance to Australian Standards is the perfect first step.

We are not asking for government tariffs on all imported fabricated steel. Instead, we are calling on both sides of government to amend the necessary regulations to mandate compliance to Australian Standards whether fabricated steel is manufactured

in Australia or overseas. Given a level playing field, Australian welding is internationally price competitive, and of the highest quality.

Over the past three years, the number of companies certified to ISO 3834 has grown exponentially, with over 40 companies achieving certification. The number of ISO 9606 certified welders has grown in tandem. This growth has been largely driven by private clients (such as defence primes, and roads and transport authorities) specifying certification in tender documentation.

Whilst increased certification rates have substantially raised the quality of fabricated products in Australia, it has come at a substantial cost, and it needs to be paid for. It is completely unreasonable for clients to buy cheap, uncertified products from offshore, and not support local fabrication.

It appears that clients are still taking a very narrow view of project costs, allowing ‘cost to buy’ to dominate the procurement process rather than whole of life costs. If this is the case, then they are not delivering value to their shareholders or tax payers— merely concealing the true cost of the project.

Welcome to Weld Australia’s New Team Members Weld Australia has started 2021 in a strong position. We’re working on a range of new projects, with a whole variety of clients. As such, over the last couple of months, we’ve had some changes to our team.

Victor Blain has taken on the role of Engineering Team Manager and Arya Sharifian is now the Qualification and Certification Team Manager. Both Victor and Arya are still reporting to Paolo Corronca, who remains our National Manager Engineering.

We’ve expanded our team, welcoming several new team members: Haider Ali (Welding Engineer), Michele Boatswain (Education and Training Coordinator), Disha Mistry (Graduate Marketing Assistant), Luke Nicholls (Graduate Engineer, Qualification and Certification), Joseph Sandor (Welding Technology Trainer), Laya Pourabdi (Qualification and Certification Coordinator), and Deniz Yalniz (Quality Engineer).

Finally, I’d like to thank Anabel Cantero, our outgoing Qualification and Certification Coordinator, who is retiring after 30 years of dedicated service. We wish Anabel all the very best in her retirement.

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Breaking News Factory of the Future to Accelerate Growth of Advanced Manufacturing BAE Systems Australia welcomed the South Australian Government’s funding announcement in the 2020 State Budget, which will fast track the development of the Line Zero – Factory of the Future.

Defence Jobs Focus of New Naval Shipbuilding College Agreement South Australian defence jobs are at the forefront of a new Cooperation Agreement signed between the South Australian Government and the Federal Government’s Naval Shipbuilding College (NSC).

Premier Steven Marshall visited the site for the construction of Stage One of the Line Zero – Factory of the Future facility to see first-hand some of the advanced technologies and processes that will be supported by the State’s $5 million commitment, matching Flinders University’s investment in the initiative. The Line Zero - Factory of the Future will be a world class manufacturing accelerator, embedded within South Australia’s Tonsley Innovation District.

The agreement will expand the highly skilled naval shipbuilding workforce to deliver on future naval shipbuilding projects. More than 4,000 workers will be needed over the next four years to meet the construction and sustainment requirements of the future Hunter class frigate, future Attack class submarine and Collins class submarine in South Australia, as well as thousands of additional jobs in supply chain and supporting industries.

Driven by Flinders University, it began with a temporary pilot ‘pop up’ factory developed in collaboration with BAE Systems Maritime Australia.

The $10 million co-funding enables a permanent Factory of the Future to now be built.

Premier Steven Marshall said the agreement demonstrates his government’s fierce commitment to create thousands of defence jobs in South Australia.

BAE Systems Maritime Australia Managing Director, Craig Lockhart, said “Digital shipbuilding is all about connectivity – not just within the physical and digital shipyard but with our supply chain and customer – and the partnership between BAE Systems Maritime Australia and Flinders University at Tonsley is creating a digital and advanced manufacturing test environment to improve productivity, quality and safety outcomes at Osborne. It is our ambition that the digital and technological advancements demonstrated by the supply chain will lead to improved productivity, safety and quality outcomes, equipping our highly-skilled workforce with Industry 4.0 technologies that support activities undertaken in a modern digital shipyard.”

Image: The Hunter Class Frigate. Courtesy of BAE Systems.

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“This collaboration with the NSC is a crucial step for our state’s shipbuilding future,” Premier Marshall said. “It demonstrates a clear commitment to grow our local talent pool by establishing and developing new workforce pipelines in South Australia.”

“South Australia will be home to over $90 billion in continuous naval shipbuilding projects, with a projected lifespan of more than 50 years, resulting in thousands of skilled and professional jobs.

Meeting demands of this scale are only achievable through steadfast collaborative effort and dedicated programs, and that’s what our partnership with NSC represents,” Premier Marshall said.

Image: The Hunter Class Frigate. Courtesy of BAE Systems.

Queensland Committed to Landing Multi-billion Defence Contract Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rheinmetall Defence Australia reconfirming a long-term partnership that is now firmly focused on attracting to Queensland the LAND 400 Phase 3 contract valued at up to $27 billion.

The Premier said Rheinmetall has the full support of the Queensland Government in landing the Phase 3 contract that will deliver 450 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for the Australian Army.

“Rheinmetall estimates the Phase 3 project could create an additional 500 jobs in addition to the 450 highly skilled positions being brought to Queensland through their Phase 2 win,” the Premier said.

“Rheinmetall’s new Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) here in Redbank is the most advanced military vehicle manufacturing facility in Australia, if not the world, and it would definitely be a compelling consideration in the Commonwealth’s LAND 400 Phase 3 tender evaluation.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said when the Commonwealth selects its preferred tenderer, Rheinmetall’s MILVEHCOE will be fully operational, fully staffed and will have the necessary supply chains in place.

“Rheinmetall’s Lynx IFV is specifically developed to meet the Army’s requirements and the Hungarian Government is already signed up as a customer.

This means the Queensland-made vehicle is a strong contender for the contract,” he said.

Image: The production facility at Rheinmetall’s MILVEHCOE.

“The Government’s strong support of this project is part of our economic recovery plan, to support projects and companies like Rheinmetall that create jobs and employ hundreds of Queenslanders.”

Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director, Gary Stewart, said the partnership with the Queensland Government enabled the company to establish a sovereign military vehicle capability to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF). “Every Rheinmetall employee understands that equipping the ADF with the most advanced combat and logistics capabilities is our primary objective,” Mr Stewart said.

“It is what drives us, and why we partnered with the Queensland Government to establish MILVEHCOE as a sovereign industrial manufacturing base for Australia. Rheinmetall is also recruiting and skilling as we move into the commissioning phase of the MILVEHCOE. Queenslanders are living in Germany, designing and building Boxer vehicles, so they can step into senior roles on their return to Brisbane over the next two years.”

The Premier said Queensland is proud to be Australia’s khaki state. “We’re at the forefront of the nation’s capabilities across a number of high-tech military platforms, and this facility in particular is now on its way to leading Australia’s advance on global military vehicle markets.”

Rheinmetall has also a Memorandum of Understanding with TAFE Queensland, which is delivering a full range of skills development programs to suit Rheinmetall’s current and future needs.

Image: Rheinmetall’s MILVEHCOE in Ipswich, Queensland.

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Breaking News Thales, Austal and Tropical Reef Shipyard Sign Shipbuilding MOU Thales Australia, Austal and Tropical Reef Shipyard have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Cairns, agreeing to work collaboratively in support of the Federal Government’s National Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Enterprise.

The MOU aims to prioritise the development of local professional, technical and trade skills in far north Queensland, focusing on the capability assurance of the Royal Australian Navy’s assets, through the delivery of project management, and ship repair and defect rectification services.

Max Kufner (Vice President, Above Water Systems, Thales Australia) said the MOU will help ensure Navy and the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) can achieve and sustain mission capability.

“As Navy transforms its sustainment model, this MOU helps cement the close collaborative relationships that are key to ensuring we help deliver an integrated regional sustainment environment,” Kufner said.

“I am delighted to be working closely with Austal and Tropical Reef Shipyard and many other local businesses to ensure Navy gets the best support and sustainment outcomes, whilst maximising opportunities for local companies.”

“Local Cairns businesses have played an essential role in delivering the sustainment of the Armidale Class patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy,” Kufner said.

Image: Armidale Class patrol boat. ©Commonwealth Government.

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Naval Group Australia Launches Local South Australian Jobs Package Naval Group Australia has launched a major new jobs package that targets workers, ranging from office staff to engineers, as it aims to add 100 people by April and double its total South Australianbased workforce by the end of 2021. The ‘sub what you do’ campaign will run across social and traditional media, and invites people to make the jump from their existing work to ‘build a submarine instead’.

Naval Group Australia Chief Executive Officer, John Davis, said the company was seeking a range of trade and professional skills as it geared up for the generational construction project, and that people who had never even considered a career in defence could make a difference.

“Designing and building Australia’s 12 Attack Class Submarines is one of the most significant undertakings in our nation’s history,” Davis said. “We need Australians from right across the country to ‘sub what they do’ and become part of delivering this unique and exciting capability to Australia. We are offering great jobs that will turn into remarkable careers. You may have never imagined yourself working in defence, but we want you.”

Davis said people could use skills they already have, but build a submarine instead. “We already employ everyone from apprentice welders and human resources professionals to computer software technicians and engineers. We have many of the functions that you would associate with any other business, plus the unmatchable excitement of building a submarine.”

Image: Attack Class Submarine. Courtesy of Naval Group.

Modern Manufacturing Initiative Opens Funding for National Manufacturing Priority Areas The Federal Government’s investment—which has been designed to super-charge manufacturing and grow jobs—is now open to businesses, with applications sought under the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). Grants awarded under the MMI will help manufacturers to scaleup production, commercialise their products and operations, and integrate into domestic and global supply chains.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Hon Karen Andrews, said the MMI will build on the billions of dollars in investment to get the economic conditions right – and create meaningful, long-term change for Australian manufacturing.

“This matched government funding is designed to support our manufacturers to become competitive, resilient and scale-up to take on the world, which will in turn create jobs for Australians – both now and for generations to come,” Minister Andrews said. “Funding from the MMI will help boost investment in the growth of the manufacturing sector, enhance Australia’s reputation, open up new markets, create new skilled jobs and increase exports.”

To guide the types of projects the Federal Government will back, industry-led road maps are also being released. Funding can be sought under the Government’s six National Manufacturing Priorities: Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing, Food and Beverage, Medical Products, Recycling and Clean Energy, and Defence.

PMG Awarded DISP Membership Precision Metal Group (PMG) was recently accepted into the Federal Government’s Defence Industry Security Program (DISP). In addition to their ISO 27001 Information Security Management certification, DISP membership demonstrates PMG’s strong focus on cyber security in the delivery of their services. Managed by the Defence Industry Security Office (DISO), the DISP supports Australian businesses to understand and meet their security obligations when engaging in Defence projects, contracts and tenders. It is essentially security vetting for Australian businesses.

Coregas Awarded Supply of Gas to Incat Coregas has recently been awarded supply of liquid argon to Incat, which is a leading manufacturer in Tasmania, and builder of the world’s fastest, efficient, environmentally clean, and high-speed ships. Incat employs approximately 500 people, and is an important contributor to the strength of the Tasmanian economy.

“Coregas is proud to now be an important supplier to Incat Tasmania, and is looking forward to a strong and lengthy business relationship,” said Peter Kotsovolos (Regional Sales Manager, Coregas).

Simon Fleming, Purchasing and Logistics Manager at Incat, said, “Incat is proud to continue our longstanding relationship with Coregas, and we look forward to working together through these challenging times. Coregas has a proven track record as a reliable and efficient supplier of gas, and ticks all of the boxes in relation to the needs of large manufacturing businesses, such as Incat – one-time delivery of a quality product at a competitive cost.”

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Health & Safety How to Stay Safe When Laser Welding Laser beam welding is a highly effective joining technique widely used across the welding and fabrication sector. The practice is underpinned by AS/NZS 2211.1 Laser Safety Part 1: Equipment classification requirements and users guide, which explains the risk categories and safety measures that must be adhered to when completing the practice. Weld Australia has also recently released a Technical Guidance Note to strengthen welder safety and provide practical tips in accordance with the Standard. Together, these safety guidelines and procedures explain the hazards, and the key responsibilities for equipment suppliers and welders who are conducting laser beam welding.

Laser beam welding is a fusion process where two pieces of metal are joined together by a laser. The practice is common across the welding and fabrication sector, but it does pose a range of hazards. However, there are Standards and procedures in place to minimise the risks associated with laser beam welding. The basic approach to nearly all laser safety standards has been to classify lasers according to their hazard potential, which is based on their optical emission.

According to AS/NZS IEC 60825.1 Safety of laser products Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements, laser manufacturers are required to certify that lasers are designated as one of eight risk classes, and labelled accordingly. Additionally, laser users are also responsible for acting in accordance with standardised safety measures to reduce or eliminate accidents. The following is a brief description of the categories of lasers (see also AS/NZS 1336).

Class 1 A Class 1 laser is considered safe according to existing medical knowledge. They do not involve any hazard, and no safety measures are required. There are two subcategories under Class 1 laser systems: • Class 1C: These lasers apply where the beam directly impacts the intended target and engineering controls are applied to prevent leakage at levels higher than that permitted for Class 1.

• Class 1M: Class 1M lasers exceed the emission levels of Class 1 lasers, but the beam divergence does not present a hazard to an unprotected eye. Importantly, if magnifying instruments like binoculars, telescopes, magnifiers, or microscopes are used to view the beam, eye damage can occur.

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Class 2 Class 2 lasers or laser systems are defined as operating in the visible region between 400-700nm.

These lasers are not typically safe, but protection against eye damage can occur through aversion responses like blinking. A very brief exposure, of around 0.25 seconds or less, is not considered hazardous.

Class 2M lasers still operate in the visible region (400-700nm), but at higher power levels than Class 2 lasers. Because of the spread of radiation in laser beam welding, Class 2M lasers afford limited protection against eye damage because of the blink reflex and its response to bright sunlight.

The blink reflex provides little protection, and the beam is considered hazardous if the beam is columnated by optics, or if it is viewed through optical instruments. These instruments may include binoculars, telescopes, magnifiers, or microscopes.

Class 3 Class 3 lasers are medium-powered lasers, which may lead to a potential injury. Laser users who operate under this class may need to follow specific safety precautions, like wearing protective eye wear.

However, skin hazards do not typically exist for incidental exposures under this classification. There are two subcategories under Class 3 laser systems: • Class 3R (Restricted): These lasers or laser systems can emit invisible or visible radiation and operate up to five times the power of Class 1 lasers (invisible radiation) or Class 2 lasers (visible radiation). However, they may have higher levels (25 to 50W.m-2) of radiant flux, or power.

• Class 3B: Class 3B lasers can emit invisible or visible radiation and can cause eye injury.

Higher power lasers in this class may also cause skin burns. However, rapid heating of the skin will typically lead to an aversion response, which will avoid significant skin burns. This may not be the case for wavelengths like those in the ultraviolet region.

Class 4 Class 4 lasers are high-powered lasers, which may lead to serious potential for injury of the eye and skin. As such, users must follow specific safety precautions and wear laser protective equipment.

Class 4 laser systems can produce a hazard from direct or specular reflections, and from a diffuse reflection. There are also fire risks linked with the use of such high-powered systems. Only Class 4 lasers are incorporated into systems used for materials processing, like cutting, heat treatment, surfacing and welding. However, a Class 4 laser may also form part of a system designed in a manner that can be considered as Class 1.

Hazards and Safety In materials processing, laser systems may cause injury from either the direct beam, or its specular reflections, or from diffuse reflections. The primary concern for welders and fabricators in laser beam welding is scattered radiation, which may lead to eye and skin damage. Weld Australia’s Technical Guidance Note divides laser hazards into primary and secondary categories. A primary hazard is the laser itself, which may impact humans or objects through radiation, raw beam, focused beam, or directly reflected beam.

Secondary hazards are slightly more complex, as they are subdivided into direct and indirect hazards.

A direct hazard is related to the device, and typically includes electrical components, pump radiation, optical components, or laser gases. Indirect secondary hazards are related to the application, like ignition of explosives, fire hazard, secondary radiation, or emitted harmful substances.

Weld Australia has also identified a range of factors that can lead to tissue injury and influence the severity

of damage from laser beam exposures, including: • Wavelength of laser radiation • Tissue spectral absorption, reflection, and transmission • Exposure duration • Size of irradiated area • Strength of irradiance of incident laser beam • Pupil size • Location of retinal injury • Laser pulse characteristics While skin damage is primarily restricted to burns, high-powered lasers can result in permanent damage. When conducting a laser beam weld, the safest prevention strategy is to ensure that the laser beam is encapsulated to minimise human exposure.

In the event where a welder is exposed to the beam, the injury will be dependent on the level of exposure.

The level of exposure or irradiance, which determines the border between safe and potentially harmful exposure is known as ‘Maximum Permissible Exposure’ or MPE. Welders who work with a significant risk of exposure to laser radiation more than MPE should consider ongoing eye and skin examinations.

The ‘Nominal Ocular Hazard Area’, (NOHA) is the area around a laser, where the MPEs for the eye may be exceeded. Similarly, the corresponding distance from the laser exit opening is called the Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD). Australian Standards contain several samples of NOHD, and other safe calculations for a range of geometries and exposure situations. In addition, the Laser Safety Officer in AS/NZS IEC 60825.14 is an employee who has knowledge about the evaluation and control of laser hazards. The Laser Safety Officer has responsibility for the control of laser hazards and may assist welders who are operating lasers.

To read Weld Australia’s Technical Guidance Note visit: weldaustralia.com.au

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Knowing the Signs & Symptoms of a Mental Health Crisis

By Steven Gamble | Founder, Man Anchor

I’ve been often quoted that knowing the more common signs of a mental health disorder is equally important as knowing resuscitation—both can have a profound impact on the lives of our loved ones and the wider community.

When we look statistically at mental health in Australia, 1 in 5 Australians will experience a common mental illness within a 12-month period.

The 3 most common mental illnesses affecting Australians aged between 16 – 85 include Anxiety disorders 14%, Depressive and Bipolar disorders 6.2% and Substance Use disorders. Of the 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental health disorder, only 35% seek professional support.

So let’s stop for one moment and think about that statistic - 1 in 5, or 20%, of all Australians will be affected by a mental illness in one year, and now let’s think about our friends, family and work colleagues, statistically we will all know someone or will experience a disorder ourselves.

So knowing the above stats is important that we all have a basic understanding of the more common triggers, signs and symptoms of a worsening or developing mental health problem or illness to be

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able to support our own wellbeing and that of our loved ones.

Like any illness, early intervention is the key to a successful treatment, and being able to recognise these more common signs can be the catalyst for positive professional intervention.

On the following page, there is a basic list of the more common triggers to a mental health crisis.

Knowing that you, or a loved one, has experienced a potential trigger and is then presenting with two or more of these common signs and symptoms, it is important that you or the individual seek clinical support.

A ‘Sign’ is what you can see in someone, and a ‘Symptom’ is what someone can feel and experience.

It’s important to note these are basic indicators,

and that the reality is that someone living with a mental health disorder may not show any of the signs or symptoms outlined below. That is why it is important that, as a community, we continue to build a positive culture around mental health, and remove the perceived stigma and barriers to create opportunities for those who feel isolated to reach out for support.

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Common Triggers To Developing Mental Heath Crisis Or Illness

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• • • •

Stress Loss of a loved one Traumatic events Relationship breakdown

Alcohol and drug abuse Trauma Bullying and intimidation Social pressures and expectations Financial expectations Workplace pressures Personal unrealistic expectations Discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity Domestic violence Infertility and perinatal loss Pregnancy Menopause

If you or a loved one needs support, Lifeline is there 24/7, 365 days a year. Phone 13 11 14.

Common Signs & Symptoms of a Mental Heath Crisis Or Illness Behaviour • Withdrawn • Not able to complete tasks • Relying on alcohol or drugs • Lack of concentration • Abstaining from social events

Feelings • Overwhelmed • Guilty • Frustrated or irritable • Low confidence • Unhappy or miserable • Indecisive • Disappointed

Physical • Tired all the time • Sick and run down • Headaches and muscle pain • Churning stomach • Loss or change in appetite • Significant weight loss or gain •

Further Information If you’d like further details, or are keen to run a mental fitness program at your organisation, contact Donna South (National Manager Membership & Marketing, Weld Australia) on d.south@weldaustralia.com.au or 0409 609 031. Weld Australia has partnered with Man Anchor and Gotcha4Life to help build the mental fitness of Australia’s welders. All information in this document was supplied courtesy of Man Anchor. Weld Australia would like to thank Man Anchor for making this important information available.

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Business Essentials: Tips on Applying for Government Grants Government grants can accelerate a company’s objective, bring an idea to life, increase market share and help to grow your team of employees. Knowing where and how to start can be difficult and overwhelming when on the grant-seeking path. While navigating the complex world of government grants is no easy feat, Weld Australia has compiled a list of tips to help members submit successful applications.

Determine What It Is You Need Funding For The first step in the government grant application process is to understand what items, projects or aspects of your business require funding.

A successful government grant can assist an organisation in many ways, from commercialising a new product, expanding into export markets, to funding additional roles for apprentices.

Here are a few items to take notice of when reading grant guidelines:

Regardless of the purpose for which you intend to use the funding, it is crucial that you have a clear vision for how and where the funds will be used, and what benefits it will create in the short, medium and long-term. Grants are rarely approved for general organisational operating costs.

• •

Confirm that Grant Funding is Right for You Before you start writing your grant application, confirm that a government grant is the right type of funding for your organisation. There are other funding sources available. These may include philanthropic organisations, volunteers, in-kind contributions or local business support. You may wish to seek these other forms of funding instead.

Alternatively, you may find that local councils, members of parliament, or a different government department has a grant program that is more aligned with your objectives.

Read the Grant Guidelines—Then Read Them Again Before you start writing your grant application, invest some time into reading the grant guidelines and the eligibility criteria. This will ensure that you don’t write half a grant application before realising that you don’t meet all the eligibility criteria. If you are unsure about any of the eligibility criteria, clarify the specific details with the funding body directly.

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• •

• •

You have the right organisational status Your project or program meets the funding body’s priorities for that round. Priorities can can change from one round to the next, so don’t assume that just because your project was eligible last time, it will be eligible again.

You are based in the right geographic area That you have the correct partners (if required).

Some grants require a collaborative relationship between two organisations, or research bodies.

That you can deliver the project or program within the specified timeframe Whether there is a co-contribution required (either cash or in-kind) by the applicant. Some grants require an equal contribution by the applicant, so be sure you have the funds to cover this.

Once you have determined that your company is eligible for the grant, it is time to map out the finer details. Take some time to check the application closing date, and confirm what evidence or documentation is required.

Write Your Application Writing a grant application may initially seem challenging, but if you’ve undertaken the appropriate research and planning, it should be somewhat easier. A successful grant application addresses the key selection criteria. This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your organisation’s capacity to deliver services and products that respond to issues and require funding support. Be sure to include evidence, the benefits, and performance of the business against the key selection criteria.

There are some fundamental questions that you should address and define when completing your grant application, including: • • • • • • • •

Who will the project target?

Who will benefit from the funding?

What will the project funding achieve?

When will the project take place?

Where will the project run?

How will the project be run?

Why is it important?

How will the project match the aims of the grant program?

You should also include a detailed description of the project or scheme, for which you are seeking funding. Explain how the project will be undertaken, and include a timeline with key deliverables, a detailed budget, and how the success of the project will be measured.

Be sure that you answer every question with confidence, detail and evidence. It is equally important that you do not go overboard with jargon or industry-specific terminology and acronyms.

Submit Once you have put in the effort to research and write your grant application, it is time to submit.

Take the time to read through the application, checking for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure it is approved by the relevant manager within your organisation. It is always a good idea to have more than one person review the document.

Keep in mind that if you are unsuccessful, you may be able to contact the funding body for specific feedback on why you weren’t successful.

This feedback can be valuable when it comes to applying for another grant.

Federal Government Grants These are just some of the Federal Government grants currently available. Every state government also makes funds available.

Commercialisation Fund The Commercialisation Fund is designed to support projects that fall within the Government’s six National Manufacturing Priorities: Medical Products, Food and Beverage, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing, Recycling and Clean Energy, Defence, and Space. Commercialisation Fund grants will be between $100,000 and $1 million and must be matched by industry. Projects must include collaboration with a research partner and one industry partner. For information, visit: amgc.org.au.

Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant This grant provides funding for Australian businesses to build industrial capabilities that fit with Defence’s Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities. A grant of $70,000 to $1.4 million, for up to 70% of the cost of a project can be awarded for buying, leasing, constructing, installing or commissioning of capital equipment including specialist software to enhance cyber security; design, engineering and commissioning activities; and workforce training and accreditations. For information, visit: business.gov.au.

Accelerating Commercialisation Accelerating Commercialisation provides small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers with access to expert advice and funding to help get a novel product, process or service to market. It includes up to $500,000 of matched project funding for research commercialisation entities and eligible partners. For information, visit: business.gov.au.

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The Issue of Non-Compliant Imported Rebar Cages and Steel Reinforcing The issue of non-conforming building products, whether manufactured locally or imported, is an important and complex challenge of national significance. Non-conforming building products impact Australia’s welding, construction, manufacturing and retail sectors—just to name a few. Perhaps most concerning of all, these products can cause a raft of health and safety, economic, legal and social consequences.

With over 140,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement supplied to the Australian market each year from unknown origins, non-conforming materials present a huge risk to the performance of reinforced concrete, which is used in construction on a large-scale, such as in bridges, dams, piers, high-rise buildings and stadiums.

Industry experts believe that a program of education, awareness, training and certification is required. All welding should be undertaken by a JAS-ANZ accredited third party Processor in order to guarantee experienced operators, the use of conforming materials, and weld quality assurance. This due diligence can be relied upon in an unforeseen structural performance issue. Welding should also be carried out by a person qualified in the procedures required by AS/NZS 1554.3 Structural steel welding - Welding of reinforcing steel - Section 4.12.2.

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The willingness of the Australian market to use imported steel from unknown origins is a real concern in tandem with the growing reliance on prefabrication.

“Bespoke prefabrication is on the increase, and there are now welding shops offering this service that may not have the required certifications and procedures to guarantee quality supply. These important prequalifications must be verified before procurement,” said Munter.

“Engineers and contractors are more frequently seeking processor made prefabricated cages, under controlled factory conditions, to speed up construction productivity, minimise site congestion, and move workers off-site and into controlled factory environments, thus obtaining more Green Star points through off-site prefabrication. This may even include higher strength steels (up to 750 MPa in fitment confinement regions), which reduces steel intensity.”

“The precast industry is a heavy user of prefabricated elements that must meet tight tolerances to maintain durability when placed in the forms.”

According to research undertaken by the Steel Reinforcement Institute of Australia (SRIA), over 140,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement is supplied to the Australian market each year from unknown origins. This steel may, or may not, conform to Australian Standards.

Scott Munter (Chief Executive Officer, SRIA) explained that the vast majority of builders do not know whether their steel reinforcement complies with Australian Standards.

“When surveying small and medium builders, we found that 63% make the procurement decision about the supply source of reinforcing steel projects. SRIA market research found that 75% of those small and medium builders do not know if their steel reinforcement conforms to Australian Standards,” said Munter.

“Builders made comments like ‘I trust my concreter to do the right thing’ and ‘I’m assuming the retailer they get the steel from is supplying Australian made and quality compliant steel’.”

“Only one in four small and medium builders is confident their steel conforms to Australian Standards,” said Munter.

The Industry Experience With over 25 years industry experience, Bob Alesevic (Managing Director, RJB Industries) is no stranger to non-compliant imported rebar cages and steel reinforcing.

“Time and again, manufacturing products that do not comply with the relevant industry Standards are being imported into Australia. I’ve seen countless products that look similar to the products RJB Industries manufacture locally. But, when you look closely at the welding and the steel itself, it’s just not right,” said Alesevic.

“At the end of the day, it all comes down to price. As a local manufacturer, you can do everything right— you can adhere to every Australian Standard— but when competitors import products that are

“Time and again, manufacturing products that do not comply with the relevant industry Standards are being imported into Australia. I’ve seen countless products that look similar to the products RJB Industries manufacture locally. But, when you look closely at the welding and the steel itself, it’s just not right.”

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significantly cheaper, clients just go with the option that’s best for their bottom line,” said Alesevic.

“I’ve had companies from China approach me, offering similar products to those I manufacture, with a price tag that would only just cover the cost of my material—let alone labour. And I say no every time. I’m not interested because it’s just too risky.

The problem with the plates and reo is, if they’re cast in concrete, you cannot see the problem until it’s too late—until the welds fail and there’s an accident. By then, it’s too late.”

“The last thing I want to hear is that a 16 tonne panel has collapsed and killed someone. I couldn’t live with that.”

“I understand that we’re all in business to make money, but the thing is, clients are not comparing apples with apples. There’s nothing wrong with competition – we all need competition. But how do you compete with the cheap imports? If imported products had to comply with Australian Standards and provide all the right documentation, they would likely be dearer than what we can manufacture locally,” said Alesevic.

“If we’re trying to keep work here in Australia, and give the next generation a chance, then we have to do something to shore up the local manufacturing industry. We need to push to have as much made locally as possible. Even in government contracts, a lot of the materials are being imported from overseas, and paid for with our taxes. The government needs to have a look at themselves.”

“We can—and do—make some top products in Australia. Our products are among the best in the world. But, to be able to compete with cheap imports, it’s got to be a fair game. At the moment, it’s not a fair game,” said Alesevic.

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The Dangers of Non-Compliant Rebar Cages and Reinforcing Steel Non-conforming materials present a significant risk to the performance of reinforced concrete.

Most prefabricated cages include non-loadbearing welded joints that should comply with AS/NZS 1554.3 Structural steel welding - Welding of reinforcing steel, Clause 5.6 and Table 6.2 in the case of tack welds, and Section 3.3 for nonloadbearing welds. Either of these weld types can hold the cage during fabrication, transport, erection and concreting. While the welded joint strength does not contribute to the structure, it must not affect the performance of the reinforcement specified in the structural design.

Tack or ‘locational’ welds are generally used to hold parts of a weldment in alignment until the final non-loadbearing AS/NZS 1554.3 Section 3.3 welds (which consume the tack weld) are made. However, this is not necessary if the tack welds comply with the requirements of Clause 5.6 and Table 6.2 of AS/NZS 1554.3, and in particular Notes 6 and 7 to Table 6.2 as follows: • Note 6 requirements ensure there is no loss of cross-sectional area or imperfections • Note 7 (added by Amdt 1 in 2017) addresses the Note 6 requirements by stating: “Nonloadbearing welds shall not reduce the full loadbearing capacity of the structural elements (see Note 6)” With today’s higher strength reinforcing steels there is a greater likelihood for incorrect or non-complying tack welding to reduce the strength of the steel.

If the locational welds are too small they will have insufficient strength when lifted, or adversely change the bar metallurgy underneath. If the weld size does not meet AS/NZS 1554.3 Clause 5.6 and Table

6.2 requirements, their limited heat affect and rapid cooling can lead to cracking, impacting strength and fatigue. Other key factors are unsuitable weld settings that can result in a loss of section and reduced design strength.

In prefabrication of cages for columns, beams, piles, walls and boundary elements or even roll-out mats, welding of reinforcing steel usually presents the highest non-conformance risk. Ideally, welding should be undertaken in the processor-controlled facility by qualified welders, but occasionally they are used to fix reinforcing steel placed insitu. AS/ NZS 1554.3 has prequalified welding requirements to ensure quality, but non-standard welding requires a welding procedure which needs to be tested and proven for compliance.

How to Ensure Quality There are three key elements required to ensure the quality of steel reinforcement: • A JAS-ANZ accredited third party Mill Certificate certifying that the stock bar and rod conforms to AS/NZS 4671 Steel for the reinforcement of concrete • A JAS-ANZ accredited third party Processor Certificate certifying that the processed bar and welded mesh conforms to AS/NZS 4671 and complies with AS 3600 Concrete structures and AS 5100.5 Bridge design – Concrete • All welding should be undertaken according to AS/NZS 1554.3 Structural Steel Welding - Part 3: Welding of reinforcing steels in a controlled manner in the ‘processor’ facility. The JAS-ANZ accredited third party Processor Certificate covers the material properties and ensures that any weldability issues are addressed.

“You might assume you’re getting quality steel reinforcement from your supplier… but how do you know for sure?” said Munter.

“Builders need to provide a JAS-ANZ accredited third party Processor Certificate (ACRS or equivalent) to the engineer and building certifier to guarantee steel reinforcing quality from the upstream mill supply and after the downstream processing. It’s all about traceability. To fabricate quality reinforcement cages, the weldability of reinforcing steel cannot be determined without knowing the material properties and chemical composition. The mechanical properties of steel reinforcement also change when a bar is bent or straightened from a coil and similarly when bars are welded together to make a sheet of mesh the mechanical properties of the final product have changed.”

“Buying from an SRIA member, all of whom meet these important requirements guarantees the quality of materials and prefabrication. Once these requirements are met, the client can be confident that the structure is safe and robust, and adheres to the National Construction Code,” said Munter.

“If an SRIA Member is not supplying the prefabrications then the question should be asked… who is? Also, are they able to provide a JAS-ANZ accredited 3rd Party Processor Certificate to guarantee the quality of the reinforcement, and performance of welded connections.”

“When this certification cannot be provided, the procurer has no alternative but to implement a forensic process to verify conforming materials and welding, which will involve rigorous testing and assessment of long-term quality production data.

This process will result in construction delays and add significant cost to the project.”

“Reinforcing steels are often seen as a commodity, purely shopped on price, ignoring these important quality requirements,” said Munter.

About the Steel Reinforcement Institute of Australia (SRIA) The Steel Reinforcement Institute of Australia (SRIA) is the leading non-profit national organisation providing high quality technical support and information service to the Australian building industry on the use of reinforcing steel in concrete, primarily reinforcing bar and reinforcing mesh. The organisation actively supports and encourages the use of Australian capability and quality in the processing and use of reinforcing steel in concrete in an increasingly global market. The SRIA was founded in 1988, reflecting the growing demand for technical assistance. For information, visit: sria.com.au.

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Women in Welding: Mackenzie Gulland, Argyle Engineering Mackenzie Gulland is one of the only female boilermakers in the Kimberley region, which is over 3,000km away from the hustle and bustle of Perth. But Gulland is far from a statistic.

From a young age, she knew that sitting behind a desk and completing paperwork was not her vision for the future. Instead, she desired a career in a hands-on environment – either building or mechanics. After completing high school, Gulland took on a role at Argyle Engineering in Kununurra as a trades assistant.

Established in 1985, Argyle Engineering has grown to service all parts of fabrication in steel, stainless steel, aluminium and polyethylene across the Kimberley region and beyond. Gulland is a member of Argyle Engineering’s strong team of staff, which operate from a 940m2 workshop.

Since joining the Argyle Engineering team, Gulland has continued her education with a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade.

Gulland’s daily tasks at Argyle Engineering may involve oxy cutting, grinding, steel cutting, or assembly, based on detailed shop drawings and plans. While it may be hard work, particularly in the blistering heat of northern Australia, Gulland believes it is worth the reward.

Women make up just 2% of trades positions around Australia, and just 1% of the Australian welding workforce. Gulland’s boss, Jesse Chamberlain, said that while she is only the third woman boilermaker he has seen in the course of his 16 year career in the industry, Gulland is a strong addition to the team.

“She’s fantastic, females all round in our trade have better finesse, and are much neater and cleaner workers than the males are,” he said.

“She brings character and something different to the norm, she’s great to have in the workshop.”

While she may be an exception, Gulland is confident that she will see change in the sector. At just 19, she is focused, resilient and determined to put her hard work on show in a male-dominated workplace. Gulland believes there are several benefits and opportunities for women who are seeking a career in trades, and urges her female counterparts to join her and give a career in welding a red hot go.

Gulland took time out to answer some questions about her welding career so far.

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Describe your job.

I am currently a second year apprentice at Argyle Engineering in Kununurra. I will become a third year apprentice on 18 April 2021. At Argyle, I work on all kinds of projects, which consist of mine site work (both at the site and in the workshop), as well as work that customers bring into the workshop. The tasks that I undertake mainly involve fabricating both light and heavy materials, reading drawings, and cleaning the workshop.

What inspired you to choose a career in welding?

At the beginning of 2018, I started working at Argyle Engineering as a yardie and a rubber liner. After working there for a couple of months, and seeing what the boys in the shop were doing, I became intrigued. I asked my boss, Jesse, about an apprenticeship. A couple of weeks later I signed on, and I have not looked back since. I’ve always been a hands-on person, ever since I was a little kid, so this job is definitely right down my alley.

Why do you think women should consider a career in welding?

I believe that many women should consider a job like mine if they enjoy being hands-on and getting down and dirty. Unfortunately, I only know of one other female boilermaker that I met through TAFE. However, I am confident that I will start to see more females become involved in this male dominated industry in the very near future.

Do you have any advice for women considering a career in welding?

If you are a female getting involved in the welding trade, or any trade at all, give it your all, have fun and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

There are a small number of people that don’t necessarily like us females being involved in the trade, but there is a larger number of males that support and push us females to do our best.

I have always gotten along a bit better with males than I do with females, which has really helped, because I feel very comfortable in my working environment.

I get huge amounts of support from my whole team and it is truly inspiring to be able to grow in an environment that is not necessarily a path that many females would normally take.

Have you found working in a traditionally male-dominated industry difficult?

Unfortunately, no matter where you go, more times than not, there is going to be someone who doesn’t believe the path you’re taking is the right one because you’re a female. That is when you need to stand up for yourself and what you believe in and just tell them, ‘this is what I want to do, just like you, and there isn’t anything that makes us different’.

Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do, and most certainly do not let anyone dim your light.

What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

All of the projects that I work on range from many different areas, so there isn’t necessarily one that makes the other more interesting, because they are all unique. Some are easy, some are challenging, but in the end seeing the final result is very rewarding. To be able to stand back and see what you have created is one of the best and most rewarding parts of the trade.

Who has inspired you professionally?

In a professional context, everyone in the trade has inspired me during my journey so far in a very

“Overall, if you see yourself in a trade, then give yourself a go. Don’t hold yourself back, because at the end of the day you are your own worst critic, and there is no person that can tell you what you can and can’t do.”

different way. Every tradesperson has their own way of doing things. While learning and watching other trades, there are several people who inspire me to want to better my work, and better myself as a tradesperson.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge for the welding industry?

I don’t believe our industry has many challenges, with the exception of trying to get more females involved. In fact, I believe one of the biggest opportunities that the welding industry can foster would be to take on more females in the trade. We have more finesse and are cleaner, and we bring a different type of energy into the workforce, and it seems that we get more opportunities than some other males in the trade too.

Overall, if you see yourself in a trade, then give yourself a go. Don’t hold yourself back, because at the end of the day you are your own worst critic, and there is no person that can tell you what you can and can’t do.

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-17/femaleboiler-maker-breaking-the-norm-in-the-kimberley/12433422

To stay up-to-date with Gulland’s progress on becoming a boilermaker, follow her on Instagram @_boilerchick_

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Singer Bob Dylan Sparks Interest in Welding, Inspired by His Childhood Old gardening tools, horseshoes, chains, and vintage metal scraps are some of the materials that have been welded together by American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan.

The 79-year-old – widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time – has once again proven that age is no barrier, as he welds his own metal sculptures in his Los Angeles workshop. Dylan has strong links to iron and metalworks, after growing up in Minnesota’s ‘Iron Range’. In 2013, his welded gates collection was put on display at the London Halcyon Gallery for a free public exhibition.

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Since he signed his first recording contract 60 years ago, Dylan has showed no signs of slowing down.

He has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and has won 12 Grammy Awards from 27 nominations. He was also the first musician to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 2016.

His early influences in the music industry included Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard.

From a young age the singer formed his own bands, like Golden Chords, which played at local community talent contests. Last year, he scored his first number one song on the Billboard charts for ‘Murder Most Foul’, about the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

But the musician’s childhood origins have also sparked an interest and inspiration in welding works. The music legend grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota, a city built on the rich iron ore of the Mesabi Iron Range – the largest open pit iron mine in the world.

Dylan said he was exposed to iron ore and welding from an incredibly young age.

“I’ve been around iron all my life, ever since I was a kid. I was born and raised in iron ore country— where you could breathe it and smell it every day.

And I’ve always worked with it in one form or another,” he said.

In Hibbing, Dylan heard the rumbles of machinery, and saw the huge workforce travelling to and from the mines each day. It was the raw materials being transformed into large infrastructure outputs that left a permanent stamp on the youngster.

Inspired by his industrial past and childhood, Dylan has spent the last 35 years working up a metalwork series for his close family and friends.

Gates are the centrepiece of Dylan’s welded works.

“Gates appeal to me because of the negative space they allow,” Dylan said.

Each gate allows people to see what lies beyond, but still serves as a visual barrier – a juxtaposition between the artist’s childhood in a town of working class people, and his desire to move forward.

Dylan’s Welded Works on Display In 2013, Dylan put his metal gates and other creations on show at the London Halcyon Gallery.

The free two-month exhibition, titled ‘Mood Swings’, showcased seven of Dylan’s large metal structures. They were accompanied by images of the music icon using everyday welding tools and wearing protective equipment.

The Halcyon Gallery’s President, Paul Green, said the exhibition gave the public an opportunity to see Dylan’s other creative interests.

“While Dylan has been a committed visual artist for more than four decades, this exhibition cast new light on one of the world’s most important and influential cultural figures of our time.”

Dylan heavily drew on his own childhood memories in Minnesota to bring the welded gates to life.

“He’s drawing from an industrial past, a working man’s past,” Green said.

“It’s partly about looking back but it’s also about resurrecting these items and the physical act of putting these objects together.”

Green had the chance to visit Dylan’s studio in Los Angeles, where the songwriter stores a range of different metals. Green was initially surprised, “I didn’t know he [Dylan] was sculpting things.”

“Dylan designs the works and decides which objects will be used. He does some welding himself and has one or two people to help him but he is intimately involved in the whole process,” Green said.

Continued over page >>

“They can shut you out or shut you in. And in some ways there is no difference.”

Dylan’s gates are made from scrap metals and other loose items like spanners, wrenches, car parts, axes, shovels, springs, and chains. Each gate is carefully designed and created – some feature musical touches, like a guitar or a treble clef, while others take on a unique identity of their own.

But each metal gate includes a small metal buffalo, and is marked with ‘Black Buffalo Iron Works’, and Dylan’s signature.

“He’s drawing from an industrial past, a working man’s past. It’s partly about looking back but it’s also about resurrecting these items and the physical act of putting these objects together.”

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Dylan’s gates sparked new conversations for exhibition visitors, as they touched, inspected, and examined his welded creations. The largest gate – around 171cm high and 156cm wide – sold for around $500,000. All gates were sold on the first day of the exhibition’s opening.

The Mood Swings exhibition is not the first time Dylan has put his creative side on show. In 2007, the Drawn Blank Series featured 2,000 watercolours, gouaches and original drawings in Germany. The works were based on Dylan’s sketches, drawn while he was on tour.

The MGM National Harbour casino resort in Maryland, just outside of Washington DC, also permanently features one of Dylan’s gate. The 7.9m by 4.5m gate, ‘Portal’, was commissioned by the resort to welcome guests and frame the entrance of the resort. The gate includes a range of gears, spanners, tools, and cogs, which are welded into the hotel’s signature entrance.

Jim Murren, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer at MGM Resorts International, said he was proud to house Dylan’s work.

“Mr Dylan is undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians of our time, but his incredible metalwork sculptures are a testament to his creative genius and ability to transcend mediums.”

“As a company founded upon entertainment, we’re truly inspired by artists who channel their energy into diverse paths. We’re proud to collaborate with Mr Dylan and bring his vision to MGM National

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Harbour’s Heritage Collection in a way that enhances this sensory resort experience.”

Fans Spot Welded Past in Music Dylan’s hardcore fans have noticed references to his welding interests in his music. In 1978, he was quoted in the Minnesota Times that when he returns home, he likes to “blast sculpture out of metal”.

This interest comes in addition to some of his other hobbies, like fishing.

Fans have also made parallels between Dylan’s collection of welding works, and his discography.

In Dylan’s 1965 smash hit ‘Gates of Eden’, he describes the Book of Genesis in the Bible.

Similarly, in his 1974 song ‘Never Say Goodbye’, Dylan sang “my dreams are made of iron and steel.”

In his 1997 song ‘Not Dark Yet’, Dylan also sings “feel like my soul has turned into steel,” in the opening lines.

While some fans may be seeking further details about his collection of welded works, his music has always tended to fuse together different genres to make a harmonious tune.

References • https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24955933 • https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24229623 • https://www.packagingstrategies.com/articles/94702-bobdylan-writing-welding-and-whiskey • https://www.nme.com/news/music/bob-dylan-59-1249307 • https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/art-and-architecture/ bob-dylan-musician-by-day-iron-welder-by-night/ article15514074/ • https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bob-dylanto-unveil-enormous-iron-archway-in-maryland-122797/

Since he signed his first recording contract 60 years

The Changing Face of Australian Standards Australian Standards are living documents. They reflect progresses in science, technology and systems. To maintain their relevancy, all Standards are periodically reviewed, with amendments and revised editions published. The last few months have seen several developments, including an urgent review into standards related to rubber hoses for welding, cutting and allied processes, and ongoing reviews into standards related to pressure equipment and steel structures.

Pressure Equipment As previously reported, the revision of AS/NZS 3992 Pressure equipment—Welding and brazing qualification was completed in late 2018.

The public comments were resolved and the ballot process completed, with the revised version of the Standard published as AS 3992 on 9 June 2020.

Standards users have reported a number of issues with the 2020 edition. As such, it is likely that a minor amendment is required. Users are encouraged to report any issues they encounter with the Standard, which will be forwarded to the drafting committee when the opportunity arises.

Committee ME-001 has initiated the revision of AS 1796 Certification of welders and welding supervisors. A draft has been prepared and it is likely to be released for public comment in the second quarter of 2021. The draft will include items from other pressure equipment standards including new provisions for a pressure equipment welding inspector.

Committee ME-001 has also completed the balloting of the latest revision of AS 2593 Boilers—Safety management and supervision systems. Once work on this Standard is resolved, it will allow the project proposal on the revision of AS/NZS 3788 Pressure equipment—In‑service inspection to be finalised and submitted to Standards Australia.

Welding of Structures Review of public comment on the draft of the revision of AS/NZS 1554.2 Structural steel welding— Part 2: Stud welding (steel studs to steel) was completed in December 2020. During the review, an error was detected in the table of values relating to threaded studs. This table has been revised and the Standard will be re-released for further public ballot in the second quarter 2021.

Pipelines Committee ME‑038 has revised AS/NZS 2885.2 Pipelines—Gas and liquid petroleum Part 2: Welding with a modified public review draft closing for public comment and committee ballot in January 2020.

The revised Standard was published in May 2020.

Part 3 of AS/NZS 2885 Pipelines—Gas and liquid petroleum Part 3: Operation and maintenance has also been revised and public comment received is being resolved.

ISO Update ISO TC44/SC10 has commenced the revision of the ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials series of Standards, primarily to take cognisance of changes to ISO 9001 Quality management and the 2019 edition of ISO 14731 Welding coordination — Tasks and responsibilities.

The revision is well advanced with a number of parts already passing FDIS ballot. The next meeting is scheduled for September 2021.

TC44/SC10 has also been revising ISO 17660 Welding—Welding of reinforcing steel. This edition is planned to combine the two existing parts into a single document. A number of meetings have been held to resolve public comment, with the next meeting planned for April 2021.

Similarly, ISO TC44/SC11 has commenced the revision of ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders—Fusion welding—Part 1: Steels with the intention of combining all five parts into the one Standard. This will simplify the ongoing maintenance and review requirements for the Standards as parts 2 to 5 of ISO 9606-1 are in need of revision. An initial draft has been prepared and the Committee will be meeting again in March 2021.

Australia is participating in the revision process on both ISO sub-committees.

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Flow Tech Australia Defends Its Brand with New Certification Flow Tech Australia has over 30 years’ experience working with the defence industry, marine vessels, industrial systems, and water industry equipment. The team is made up of highly experienced pipe fabricators and mechanical fitters, who are recognised for their technical expertise and engineering solutions on complex projects. The company boasts four sites across New South Wales, Western Australia, Cairns, and the Northern Territory. Through their recent certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, Flow Tech Australia is well positioned to build their investments and grow their company as a leader in the defence welding space.

Chris Jaques (Director, Flow Tech Australia) explained the company has been involved in many major projects for the defence industry, commercial and industrial works, and cruise ships. “We’re a maintenance company that conducts pipe, pump, valve, mechanical welding repairs, and fabrication to all classes of vessels right across Australia. For the past 13 years or so we have been primarily supporting defence.”

“We conduct various maintenance from minor defects and pipe repairs to complete system upgrades and configuration changes. We’ve been involved in some pretty major projects for over a decade,” Jaques said.

Flow Tech Australia’s mechanical team and engineers also work with other welding professionals to develop solutions for the mining, water, and marine industry projects. Some of their

work includes pipe fabrication; protection coating; chemical cleaning; electric motor testing, removal, and overhaul; and inspection and analysis of hydraulic systems.

“We even help to maintain and look after the firefighting systems on board the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHDs) and Air Warfare Destroyer (AWDs).”

“As much as I would like to, I can’t go into too much further detail about our work on defence vessels for obvious reasons. However, it is particularly important and dynamic,” Jaques said.

Across the company’s four facilities, Flow Tech Australia’s 40 staff are well-equipped to service a range of clients, including the likes of the Australian Government Department of Defence, CSL Group, P&O Cruises Australia, Thales, and BAE Systems.

“Our Perth branch is the flagship of the business, we’ve got a 1,000m2 industrial factory over there, with two 10 tonne overhead cranes. Sydney, Darwin and Cairns are slightly smaller, but we’ve still got quite a bit of workshop space across the business,”Jaques said.

“Sydney and Perth also boast CFC equipment, like plasma cutters that are used for our bespoke work,” Jaques said.

“In all, we have just shy of 2,000m2 of workshop spread around the country. We’ve also got about a dozen certified welders spread out across the business – so we’re really well-equipped to take on these big jobs.”

Internationally Recognised Capabilities According to Jaques, Flow Tech Australia’s vast experience allows the team to operate with confidence, which gives customers access to broad technical capabilities. The team prides itself on being

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a leader in the advanced piping technology space.

“We provide unbeatable expertise, which means that our services are often sought after by industry and governments alike.”

In March 2018, Swagelok Eastern Australia – one of the world’s leaders in the design and manufacture of systems across the land, sea, and air forces – acknowledged Flow Tech Australia as their preferred source for providing maritime and naval solutions.

“Swagelok Eastern Australia is one of the world’s most respected companies, so to acknowledge and support us, it’s a pretty big deal,” Jaques said.

Jaques’ team also works with Varivane, a worldwide defence equipment provider for naval, commercial marine, and land-based clients. In addition, Metaline is also a key company partner. Metaline has over 50 years’ experience in repairing, protecting, and maintaining stressed equipment.

Jaques explained that vessels and marine equipment will continue to evolve with new technology, and it is up to each company to move with the times. “We know that the new Hunter Class vessels are going to play out fairly substantially with certification, which is the legacy left behind from the AWD. It’s really a customer-based push to meet the high standards required for the maintenance and manufacture of these important vessels.”

Achieving Certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Flow Tech Australia recently achieved certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834. “I think we initially underestimated what was required for this certification. However, Weld Australia was excellent to work with. Paolo Corronca (National Manager Engineering) who was our main point of contact, was fantastic in giving us the direction that we

needed,” Jaques said. “Other than a couple of milestone achievements with upskilling staff, it was just all about time and dedication. There was nothing that was really too ambitious.”

Jaques explained how the AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification allows his company to remain competitive in a global market.

“Coming into March or April this year, we’ll see some of our competitors that haven’t been able to reach this goal of certification fall by the wayside.

That’s just purely because of how the rules have evolved. The Commonwealth gave everyone 12 months to catch up and become certified, so that will play out in the early part of this year.”

The internal upskilling process took Flow Tech Australia around 16 months to complete. Jaques said that other welding companies should still consider attaining AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification.

“It really comes down to the individual company and what their requirements are. It’s a substantial investment, and maintenance of the annual audits is definitely a great way to keep the business on track.”

For companies considering certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834, Jaques said there are several benefits, which have already come to fruition at Flow Tech Australia. “The main thing would be to understand what the benefits are and decide whether you have the internal structure to support certification. In regard to the cost that’s associated, you get a fair return on your investment,” Jaques said.

For further information, visit: flowtec.net.au

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Apprentices Benefit From HF Hand Constructors New Certification HF Hand Constructors was once heavily involved with blacksmithing, and crane and cart manufacturing for the timber and farming industries of the New South Wales Macleay Valley. Today, the company boasts a combined workshop fabrication space of 8,050m2 across its headquarters in Port Macquarie, and an additional workshop site in Kempsey.

These facilities allow the team to deliver end-to-end services for a range of projects.

The company was recently certified to AS/NZS ISO 3834.2 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials to further enhance its services and support for the industry.

According to Ian Bird (General Manager, HF Hand Constructors), “We’re a supply, fabricate and installation contractor. We have a large fabrication facility and in-house protective coating capabilities.

Our own transport is used to ship to site and installed using our own cranes.”

“Originally, we were tied up with a lot of mining clients, and did a lot of work for resources companies. Now, we have expanded to take on more infrastructure work around New South Wales, including government projects and large-scale builds like universities and hospitals,” Bird said.

HF Hand Constructors has also worked with water technology firms, gas and fume treatment plants, defence facilities, bridges, industrial buildings, and across the water storage industry, to deliver high quality end-to-end products.

The company’s origins can be traced back to the 1880s, but it changed ownership in 1982. Today,

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HF Hand Constructors primarily works across New South Wales and Queensland, but the company has the capacity to provide fabrication and onsite construction coverage Australia wide.

“We’re a one stop shop. We have the ability to provide services all the way through, from initial concept through to erection. Our management team, including myself, is very hands on – we work in the business every day.”

“We can make decisions pretty quickly, and we’re very close with the fabrication staff and know them all personally. A regular walk through the organisation and workshop helps us to know what’s going on,” Bird said.

Apprentices Leading the Next Generation All project works at HF Hand Constructors are underpinned by a strong commitment from the staff, including apprentices, who learn and develop their professional skills while working in a

supportive environment. “We’ve got a very strong apprenticeships program, which we bring a lot of apprentices through. This year, we have started six first year apprentices in steel fabrication. We also have a lot of long-term employees. Some of the apprentices we put on have come through the business and are now project managers, estimators, or workshop supervisors,” Bird said.

Bird explained that even through the COVID-19 pandemic, the company had always planned on more apprentices. “We’ve always put on apprentices no matter what. That way we can keep our industry going, otherwise we lose valuable skills that are passed on from tradesmen to apprentices.”

First Class Facilities for Safe and Efficient Solutions HF Hand Constructors boasts a range of premium facilities, which are directly aligned to the company’s values of a strong safety culture, high quality standards, and environmentally responsible practices. Their Port Macquarie headquarters boasts advanced manufacturing capacity like CNC beamline processing machinery, CNC plasma cutting and plate rolling, and automated welding equipment. In addition, a fully enclosed abrasive blasting booth with full undercover protective coating facility, supports their ability to provide quality products.

Bird said the facilities provide high quality products for a range of projects—no matter how complex—including plate works, structural steel and piping. “We recently undertook a ventilation shaft project for a new tunnel in Sydney. It wasn’t an easy project to complete. It was fabricated in regional New South Wales and transported to the Sydney metropolitan area, where it was installed

by HF Hand Constructors.”

The atrium roof at Macquarie University’s Arts Precinct was another challenging project, with high rewards. “That project was unique. It was comprised of long CHS bow trusses that spanned across the atrium roof,” Bird said.

HF Hand Constructors was well-placed to complete this project. The company’s technologically advanced fleet boasts a 70 and 90 tonne crane; franna cranes; all-terrain forklifts; and site-equipped mine site containers.

Seven overhead cranes are also featured in the company’s fabrication and protective coating facility, with plans for future duplication in the works.

Image (Left): The atrium roof at Macquarie University.

Image credit: Mike Chorley Photography.

Image (Top Right): Train load-out bin.

Certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 According to Bird, HF Hand Constructors’ recent AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification will benefit all staff. He believes ongoing professional development is crucial for success in the sector.

“We need to keep improving our processes and keep our work well-documented. It also has vast cultural benefits for our apprentices to come through and see what is required and understand the quality process from an early stage.”

“We are seeing that more and more projects require certification, so it was time for change. We see that specifically, a lot of the new government infrastructure projects that we are working on are requiring certification in accordance with AS/NZS 5131 CC1-CC3, which you can’t achieve, unless you are certified to AS/NZS 3834,” Bird said.

When asked to explain how HF Hand Constructors found the certification process, Bird said the company has always followed strict procedures, which paved the way for success.

“We’ve always practiced similar standards, however never certified. As such, the audit process wasn’t a great hurdle for us. Everyone at Weld Australia was great to deal with, and the auditors were helpful – anything that we were unsure about, they were able to assist us, and guide us in the direction needed to achieve the certification.”

Bird also offered some sound advice to other organisations considering an AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification. “If you are considering certification, make sure that you are working close to the standard prior to the audit. It’s important to understand why the standards are in place. It’s not just paperwork, where you tick the box and move on, it has to be a process that you are consistently working to. It’s the same way that you can’t pretend to have driven a car, and then go for your licence,” Bird said.

For further information, visit: hfhand.com.au Autumn 2020

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Bhullar Group Gains AS/NZS ISO 3834 Certification Australian owned and operated, the Bhullar Group specialises in a range of welded and fabricated works, with expertise in road and bridge projects, civil works and construction, and pre-engineered products. The company also delivers skilled labour services to Australian industry through the Bhullar Industrial Training Program, which demonstrates the company’s strong focus on upskilling and ongoing professional development. The Bhullar Group recently gained certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, to advance its workforce capabilities and open the door to new opportunities.

According to Michael Bhullar (Managing Director, Bhullar Group), “We supply to fabricators when it comes to welded sections and other processed items. For our fabrication works, we have a diverse range of clients, including tower crane companies, civil contractors and first tier companies like JHG, CPB, and Lendlease.”

In 2010, the company commenced the manufacturing of welded sections, and five years later it began fabrication works. Today, the Bhullar Group is widely recognised as a consistent achiever of high standards within the local steel marketplace.

“We offer a range of in-house facilities, including manufacturing and processing, and fabrication and installation. Our products and services are high quality and remain highly competitive on a local and global scale,” Bhullar said.

Centralised Facilities for Nation-Wide Work The Bhullar Group is committed to supplying steel that meets quality requirements for the construction, manufacturing, building, and mining industries.

However, they are also committed to processing steel that meets specific customer requirements.

According to Bhullar, the company’s dedicated workshop space in Auburn, New South Wales provides an array of opportunities to work on any type of project. “We have a fabrication workshop and a dedicated welded section manufacturing workshop. Together, we have over two hectares of yard space. Our facilities have the capacity to profile cut steel that is up to 5m wide and 21m in length.”

“The workshop also features advanced manufacturing equipment, like CNC machinery to ensure we provide solutions as per the job requirement. This minimises the lead time and overall cost for our customers,” Bhullar said.

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Not surprisingly then, Bhullar Group has worked on a variety of high-profile projects across the nation. At Sydney’s busy Martin Place train station, the Bhullar Group provided welding and fabrication works for parts of the platform. Their team is currently working on the Sydney Metro Barangaroo Station Box, which features an underground rapid transit station that will transform Sydney’s train network.

The Bhullar Group are also experts at sea, with their expertise on show at the 235m Thevenard Jetty in Ceduna. This $14.1 million upgrade gave South Australia’s busiest regional port much-needed facelift.

“We even recently supplied over 1,500 tonnes of plunge columns for two of Australia’s most iconic buildings: Crown Resort in Sydney, and the Spirit Tower on the Gold Coast,” Bhullar said.

International Training Program The Bhullar Industrial Training Program links education with practical training pathways and covers trade and non-trade positions. It provides pathways to a wide range of occupations within the welding and fabrication sector.

In 2012, Hunter TAFE in Newcastle signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhullar Educational Services, which is part of the broader Bhullar Group. The MoU facilitates collaborative practices across several areas of education, and offers support for international students interested in taking up a trade.

Bhullar Group is currently in the process of establishing a Registered Training Organisation to deliver tailored and in demand qualifications within the Metals and Fabrication Qualification Package without reliance on third party certifying institutions.

Bhullar believes that the sudden influx of projects across the nation has led to an urgent need for

specific and tailor-made short trade courses, which will meet the demand of the industry in a short period of time. “It will offer a great opportunity for fresh talent to enter the high demand industry with incentives to earn good money without the need for going through a full apprenticeship which could take up to three years,” Bhullar said.

Certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 The Bhullar Group was recently certified to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, which will enhance their workplace practices and present new opportunities for the company.

“We started the certification process in 2018 but then placed it on hold as we were constantly competing with imported products,” Bhullar said.

“However, when COVID-19 first broke out in Australia, we decided to take advantage of the slow market and work towards Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) prequalification.”

Bhullar described the certification process as “transparent and concise” and urged other likeminded companies to consider the same.

“In my opinion, the industry bodies need to drive certification. They need to highlight just how vital Image: The Thevenard Jetty under construction in Ceduna.

Image: Sydney’s Metro Barangaroo Station Box.

certification is to industry, with a particular focus on communicating with first tier contractors, who should take certification on board when selecting their favoured fabricator for a project.”

“This would encourage a lot more companies to have the required certification because they can see a more level playing field rather than just competing on cost,” Bhullar said.

An AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification focuses on the quality requirements associated with fusion welded products. When companies, like the Bhullar Group are certified, it opens new opportunities on the global supply chain, and ongoing business.

Additionally, it increases the technical knowledge of all welding personnel within the organisation, which leads to increased productivity and profitability.

“Our AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification has been a huge benefit. Firstly, it assisted in achieving AS/NZS 5131 certification for the fabrication and erection of structural steelwork. This means that we are now close to achieving RMS prequalification,” Bhullar said.

For further information, visit: bhullargroup.com.au

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Image: A fourth generation of the Gason family now works in the business, including (L to R) Riley, Oakley, Wayne, Les, Morgan and Gre

AF Gason: A True Blue Family Company For 75 Years Nearly 200km west of Melbourne, between Victoria’s western district and the Wimmera, lies the regional town of Ararat—home to second, third and fourth generations of the Gason family. This year their company AF Gason Pty Ltd marks 75 years of manufacturing expertise, supplying various products and services to business partners both local and international.

The company’s roots can be traced back to farming and agriculture, with tractor cabins and tillage equipment amongst the range of products that formed part of Gason’s rich tapestry.

Gason’s services have since expanded, diversifying the business into three distinct business streams – agriculture, wood heating and Sub-contracting.

Today, the company is one of Ararat’s largest employers, with 140 staff and hundreds of agriculture and heating dealerships carrying on the Gason family’s brand and tradition. The company shows no signs of slowing down, as they seek to take on more welding staff and invest in a $7 million new laser facility.

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“We attribute the longlasting success of the business to our commitment to our local community through honesty, respect and openness.” or ROPS, for tractors. ROPS can have severe consequences if they are not managed correctly.

Hence, Gason devised guidelines to help the industry better understand what factors increase the risk of serious injury, how to manage ROPs, prevent them, and individual responsibilities. At the same time, Gason established a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited test facility at their Ararat factory.

As technology evolved, many companies realised that importing their own tractors with the cab already fitted was a more efficient and effective process. This led to a change in the market and eventually put the tractor cab business in limbo.

Gason took swift action and started to design and manufacture its legacy agriculture equipment such as air seeders, planter bars and fertiliser spreaders.

Oakley Gason is a third generation family member who currently leads Gason’s marketing team. He said the company’s continued success comes after years of heavy investment and innovation.

eg Gason.

In February 1946, Frank Gason founded a one-man motor trimming business in Ararat. Frank, his wife Jean, and their children moved to Ararat after the perils of World War II. He was an innovator at heart, and a man with big plans for the future.

In 1947, Frank was asked to build a cabin for a Twin City GTA tractor. This became the first of 50,000 cabins that were produced over a 40 year period.

It was a pivotal moment for Gason, as their cabins quickly became a prominent feature on tractors across farms in every corner of Australia.

By the early 1960s, Gason tractor cabins were the market leaders, with over 1,000 Gason dealers across the country. Companies operating in Australia formed a relationship with Gason, fitting their tractor cabins as standard equipment on tractors, headers, and industrial machinery. Brands such as International, Caterpillar, Massey Ferguson and John Deere all utilised Gason cabins in their agricultural products.

In the 1980s, Gason was pioneering an Australian Standard for roll-over protective structures,

“We attribute the long-lasting success of the business to our commitment to our local community and customers alike. Product diversification has ensured we have been successful through the hard times and kept employment throughout the quiet periods,” Oakley said.

A True Blue Family Company Seventy-five years after Frank Gason first started his business, a new generation of Gasons continue to ensure high quality products and a positive experience for all customers.

The company’s foundations in agriculture have paved the way for its extensive range of products on offer today. Alongside developments in heritage equipment, Gason has also acquired the Chris Grow range of mowers, slashers and toppers. With an ever-growing range of agricultural products, Gason continues to make their mark in the agricultural community.

Gason has also expanded the business into other areas – a clear sign of their desire to continually diversify and grow. The company owns and operates two other companies under the Gason banner – Eureka, and Jindara Wood Heating.

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Image: One of AF Gasons’ welders hard at work.

Eureka has been a market leader in the installation and servicing of wood heaters for over 30 years.

Similarly, Jindara has been in the market for 25 years. Both companies produce Australian made heaters that are high quality and meet individual performance needs.

The experienced team at Gason also provides advanced sub-contracting solutions for commercial and industrial applications, and offers support to customers with medium to large production runs.

The staff boast a wealth of knowledge in processing steel, stainless steel, and other alloy products.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its unprecedented challenges, the Gason team was well-equipped and able to navigate the economic downturn with confidence. “Despite the current climate, 2020 saw our best sales year for all three streams of the business – agriculture, heating and sub-contracted work,” Oakley said.

He continued to explain that the company has also given its staff full confidence and security into this year. “While many employers have been forced to put people off, we have been fortunate enough to retain and even increase our staff numbers – a trend which has continued into 2021, with orders for both farm machinery and wood heaters filling months in advance.”

In line with the company’s commitment to high quality and customer satisfaction, Gason is keenly focused on quality and safety. According to

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Oakley, adherance to quality standards will ensure further opportunities for the company to work with Australian companies in the steel fabrication space.

“With the current political climate, Australians are showing a renewed interest in Australian products and suppliers. This can only benefit the Australian steel industry, and with additional federal government funding to promote expansion of local business, the future is looking bright,” he said.

Leading Facilities and Technology Gason operates a 20,500m2 engineering facility across a 3.2 hectare site in Ararat.

“Our main facility houses the key fabrication areas including folding, welding, shot blasting, powder coating and painting. Once manufactured, the components are supplied to the heater assembly line, and separate farm machinery assembly facility,” Oakley said.

The company has recently invested in a $7 million laser facility at the rear of the property, which opened in January. Gason said the new facility has already led to increased capacity to manufacture.

“This facility has dramatically increased our capacity for production and alleviated congestion in the main site, allowing for better workflow and automating many processes” Oakley said.

The high-tech facility houses three laser cutters and a STOPA robotic storage system – a stacking

system for sheet metals. The STOPA system houses 700 racks, holding 3 tonne of steel per rack. It allows metals to be fed and then separated by thickness, quality, and type. The system is completely computer controlled as the robot loads or feeds the lasers with the relevant sheets, cuts the specified design, and then stores the sheets in their designated place.

A Local Company for Local Needs

Together, this new technology cuts time and manual handling, and allows Gason to keep the steel inside to ensure it oxidises at a slower rate, without exposure to external elements and weather.

According to Oakley, the company is seeking to continue this success by focusing on expansion opportunities. “While expanding our own brands, we are proactive in searching for new opportunities in both established and emerging sectors. Diversification is something Gason does very well.”

Product Innovation Major product redevelopment was recently undertaken in Gason’s agriculture machinery line to continue its range of high-quality products, like planter bar implements, including NT Series and T Series machines. These advanced narrow transport planters were developed for farmers to meet the growing demand for agricultural equipment that meets specified road transport guidelines, without requiring a pilot.

“These new products have incorporated tried and tested components of our old machinery with the addition of some updated features, all of which comply with new Australian transport regulations,” Oakley said.

Eureka and Jindara have also developed a new line of Radiant wood heaters. As the name suggests, these fireboxes radiate heat as opposed to conventional fan forced options. The result is an intense warmth emitting from the heater, which suits houses with high ceilings and draughty conditions.

Gason works to support the local economy and maintain Australian jobs and manufacturing.

The company has strong family values and understands the climate, challenges, and opportunities that Australian’s face.

As a regional family business, Gason understands the importance of local jobs. The company runs an apprenticeship program to provide welding careers for local school leavers. Each November, Gason carries out an annual bootcamp where local school leavers and individuals who want to spark a career in welding are encouraged to attend. The experience offers practical tips, advice, and shares first hand experience of what apprentices can expect in the industry.

The program allows students to learn from local education providers and institutions like Federation University TAFE in Ballarat. Students who attend the local TAFE learn theoretical knowledge, which is strengthened at Gason with practical learning.

For further information, visit: gason.com.au

Image: AF Gason’s new $7 million laser facility in Ararat.

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AS/NZS 3992 Undergoes Major Changes AS 3992 Pressure equipment - Welding and brazing qualification recently underwent a major update. The 2020 revision corrected identified errors and anomalies in the 2015 edition, addressed issues not covered in the 2015 update, and harmonised the Australian Standard with international standards (specifically ISO 15614-1 and ASME IX) to reflect the changes in the local pressure equipment industry. As such, Weld Australia recently facilitated an interactive online workshop to provide attendees with an update on these changes, highlighting the effect on welder, procedure and repair qualifications.

Most pressure equipment is manufactured off-shore to other standards, which impacts their maintenance and repair. The 2020 update of AS 3992 addresses this reality by adopting changes to accommodate the different fabrication routes, particularly with respect to welder and welding procedure qualifications. Weld procedure qualifications have been modified for specific applications, with some testing formalised, and changes were made to clarify welder qualifications.

This update also completely revamped Section 8: Procedure qualification for special welds, providing a recommended approach on how to deal with welding repairs on service exposed welds. This was inadequately described in the previous editions. Therefore, the 2020 edition of AS 3992 has moved closer to international standards, while addressing the unique challenges that exist in the Australian pressure equipment industry.

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Louise Petrick (Senior Welding Engineer, Weld Australia) hosted the webinar, highlighting to attendees the importance of the changes. “This was a major update,” Petrick said. “It illustrates why we have Standards and why they must be kept up-todate,” she added.

Section Five Petrick shared the major changes to Section Five of the Standard, including the newly added clauses 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4. These new clauses focus on general advice, materials grouping, welding energy input and preheating materials, and post weld heat treatment (PWHT) respectively.

Under 5.1, three items were added: additional materials combinations; welding consumables; and heat input information. These changes focus on the essential variables for welding procedure qualifications.

There were also updates to table 5.2, which expanded materials groupings and granted extended qualifications. Similarly, there were alterations made to table 5.3 for the range of qualification of materials for nickel alloy and steel groups. It also touches on toughness testing for thickness limitation and clarifies details on plate and pipe positions.

Section Six Section Six of the updated Standard hones in on test pieces and testing requirements. This updated section also considers requirements to qualify load bearing fillet welds, and hardness testing (where applicable), as presented in table 6.1. There were no changes to the number of tests required in this update. However, under section 6.4, the PWHT were amended to accommodate new materials groupings, and the requirement to conduct NDT before PWHT.

has provided clarity on how to qualify for these weld types.

Petrick shared the changes on the special welds and how they will affect repairs and all other surfacing welds. The Standard made changes to build up, buttering, overlays and clad materials, and also incorporates new information about corrosion, heat-resistant overlays and hard surfacing overlays.

Tables 8.2 and 8.3 provide information about the qualification range for parent material groups for overlay welding, and the range for the thickness of test pieces.

Section 8.3 also sheds light on temper-bead during manufacturing. This is a process where the heat input is adjusted in the second layer to ensure the first layer is tempered.

Under the changes to the Standard, welders must complete a proficiency demonstration, shown in Table 9.3, for each of the weld types.

Section Nine There were changes made to Welder Qualification in Section Nine of the Standard, specifically in reference to Clause 9.1. Under this clause, there were classifications for parent materials, welding consumable ‘F’ numbers, weld deposit thickness and weld joint detailing.

Furthermore, parts one to five of ISO 9606 were accepted as alternative qualification standard, and ASME IX with AS 3992 production tests were also deemed acceptable.

Table 9.3 of the Standard also features new information about the number of test specimens required for welder’s qualifications, specifically the special welds from Section 8.

Section Seven “Section 7.2, that dealt with mechanical testing, has been removed, changing responsibility for testing,” Petrick said. “It clearly places the onus on the purchaser or asset owner. Tests should still follow AS 2205 - Methods of destructive testing of welds in metal.”

The webinar was well attended by both members and non-members of Weld Australia, with attendees given the opportunity to interact with Petrick and gain practical examples of where and how the changes will have an impact.

Changes were also made to Clauses 7.1, 7.2 and 7.4. Importantly, in Clause 7.8, the changes introduced requirements for the weld joint hardness test, when required.

“Section 7.2, that dealt with mechanical testing, has been removed, changing responsibility for testing. It clearly places the onus on the purchaser or asset owner.

Tests should still follow AS 2205 Methods of destructive testing of welds in metal.”

Section Eight Section Eight was discussed at length during the webinar. Previous editions of the Standard did not provide a recommended approach on how to deal with repairs on service exposed welds. The update

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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.

Post Weld Heat Treatment in Structural Steel Fabrications Over recent months, Weld Australia’s Hotline has received a number of enquiries regarding the need for post weld heat treatment (PWHT) on structural steel fabrications.

Whilst many application standards specify specific requirements regarding PWHT, AS/NZS 1554.1 Structural steel welding—Part 1: Welding of steel structures, is mostly silent on its use.

In structural steel welding, PWHT is usually specified by the client where the fabricated item is to be machined, and accurate tolerances are applicable to the final machined structure.

PWHT serves to stress relieve the structure prior to machining. This means that, as a structure is machined, there is minimal movement of the components being machined as material is removed during the machining process.

In comparison, structures that have not undergone PWHT, contain locked up stresses that are released during machining. Release of these stresses can cause unintended or unwanted movement during

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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the machining process. The one situation in which AS/NZS 1554.1 indicates that PWHT may be beneficial can be found in Clause B4.3.3 of Appendix B of the Standard.

Specifically, if a structure has been subjected to a significant degree of outer bend fibre strain during processing, its design service temperature (i.e. resistance to brittle fracture) can be restored through the application of PWHT. Reference is made to AS 4458 Pressure equipment Manufacture for the performance of PWHT. Two questions then arise: does the weld procedure need to be qualified with the test plate tested in the PWHT condition, and is the application of PWHT an essential variable?

Dealing with the second question first, many Standards regard the application of PWHT as an essential variable. However, AS/NZS 1554.1 is silent on this. This means that to answer the first question, engineering judgement must be applied.

In doing so, reference to the official commentary on the Standard should be made: Weld Australia’s Technical Note 11. Clause A4.11, which discusses essential variables, indicates that where PWHT is specified, if the welding consumables are classified in the PWHT condition, and provided that the steel manufacturer can confirm that the steel can be stress relieved, it could be argued that the joint does not need to be qualified in the PWHT condition.

If the consumable is not classified for use in the PWHT condition, or, it cannot be confirmed that the steel can be subject to the required PWHT without loss of properties, then the procedure should be treated as non-prequalified and fully qualified in the PWHT condition.

Qualifying a Welder to AS 1796 Versus AS 3992 Several Weld Australia members have asked what the difference is between a welder qualifying to AS 1796 Certification of welders and welding supervisors, and a welder qualifying to a standard such as AS 3992 Pressure equipment—Welding and brazing qualification.

For a welder to qualify to a standard such as AS 3992, the welder is required to demonstrate their ability to qualify by welding with a specific welding process by following a specified weld procedure. If successful, the qualification is only valid whilst the welder continues to use the welding process within a defined period—typically six months. At the conclusion of the defined period, the welder will need to be requalified if they do not use the process within that time frame.

The six month time period resets every time the welder uses the relevant welding process.

This process is typically described as ‘welder qualification’ and it demonstrates that the welder is capable of following the defined welding procedure.

In comparison, AS 1796 is a qualification for life—it is not valid for a defined period. It tells an employer that—at a particular point in time—the welder was trained to weld using a specific welding process.

Historically, in Australia, this process is referred to as welder certification because the welder has been granted a certificate showing their ability to weld using a predefined welding process. The welder is still required to separately qualify to weld specific weld procedures on the job as required by AS 3992.

NOTE: AS 1796 is currently under revision, and use of the term ‘welder certification’ is under review.

Q1 | March 2021 For further information, contact Disha Mistry on 02 8748 0100 or d.mistry@weldaustralia.com.au

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News & Insights into Weld Australia’s Training & Certification Weld Australia Launches Online Courses for Welding Supervisor AS 2214 and AS 1796 Certificate 10 Weld Australia recently launched a new online training course in line with AS 2214 Certification of welding supervisors - Structural steel welding and AS 1796 Certification of welders and welding supervisors - Certificate 10. The course proved to be extremely popular, and sold out in record time.

Luckily, we’ve got another course starting in July.

So, if you missed out the first time around, make sure you enrol now.

The new online format makes training more accessible, particularly for people in remote and regional areas, who are unable to attend faceto-face courses. Weld Australia’s online learning platform, Moodle, stores all recordings and other content for students to access around-the-clock.

This gives students the opportunity to learn at their own pace and revise the pre-recorded material several times before an examination or hurdle task.

The interactive nature of Moodle assures students of what work has been completed, and any upcoming requirements.

Importantly, Weld Australia’s online training includes live lectures, which have a mandatory 70% attendance rate requirement. Our combination of pre-recorded, self-paced learning and mandatory live lectures ensures that students still have the opportunity to interact with their peers and teacher in real-time. The live lectures provide the perfect opportunity for students to clarify any course materials or problems and ask questions.

In addition, Weld Australia’s new online courses are run over a longer period of time, with only two lectures per week. This gives students the opportunity to attend the course without having to take weeks’ worth of leave to attend each module.

Further Information For information about Weld Australia’s training courses, email: training@weldaustralia.com.au

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Upcoming Weld Australia Training Courses Several of Weld Australia’s most popular training courses are kicking off again soon.

International Welding Inspector Basic (IIW IWI-B) Commencing 15 June 2021 The IWI-B course is a globally recognised qualification that delivers general knowledge of welding, inspection theory and application, including: • Non destructive testing • Mechanical and visual inspection techniques • Inspection procedures and acceptance criteria • Identification of weld imperfections As a Welding Inspector, you will play an important part in ensuring that welded components comply with the appropriate International or Australian Standards, codes and client specifications.

You may also be responsible for ensuring that documentation, procedures and welder qualifications (required to demonstrate compliance) are in place and adhered to.

International Welding Specialist (IIW IWS) Commencing 27 May 2021 The IWS course is a globally recognised qualification. You will gain comprehensive knowledge in: • Welding processes and equipment • Materials and their behaviour during welding • Construction and design • Fabrication, application engineering As an International Welding Specialist, you may perform, supervise, and oversee all company welding activities. You will likely have overall responsibility for the quality of these welding activities, such as ensuring the correct material and weld procedure is used for each job.

International Welding Technologist (IIW IWT) International Welding Engineer (IIW IWE) Commencing 10 June 2021 These courses provide you with a detailed understanding of welding technology to enable you to apply your knowledge as either an International Welding Technologist (IWT) or an International Welding Engineer (IWE), including: • Comprehensively manage, perform, supervise, oversee all company welding and weldingrelated activities • Have overall responsibility for coordination of all welding and welding-related activities • Be authorised to sign on behalf of the organisation in all welding quality related matters or delegate such signing • Verify that the organisation has complied with all relevant quality considerations in production of the product

Welding Supervisor - AS 1796 Certificate 10 Welding Supervisor - AS 2214 Commencing 27 July 2021 Welding Supervisors play a vital role in industry, they understand the factors that influence welding quality, how to oversee welders effectively, and the variables that help maximise productivity.

The AS1796 Certificate 10 meets the requirements for a welding supervisor under AS 1210 for pressure vessels. It also meets the requirements outlined in AS/NZS 1554.1 to supervise the welding of structural steel.

All of these courses are filling fast.

So, if you’re looking to kick-start your career in 2021, now is the time to enrol.

Improvements to Weld Australia’s Online Exam System Weld Australia has rolled out a range of improvements to our online exam system: WeldQ. All improvements are designed to make exams more accessible (particuarly for students in remote or regional areas), while maintaining the rigour of a strict exam environment.

To facilitate this, Weld Australia has launched its own remote invigilation system after extensive trials and feedback. During online exams, the candidate’s screen and microphone are recorded. This means that candidates now sit examinations at home or their workplace, rather than having to travel to a central location.

Candidates can attempt a trial examination to make themselves familiar with the interface.

There is also a step-by-step walkthrough of the trial examination at the beginning of the exam.

Plus, once an exam is finished, candidates are able to send Weld Australia comments and feedback regarding their exam.

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All the News from Weld Australia’s Advanced Welder Training Centres Weld Australia has worked with partners around the country to secure State and Federal Government funding for the establishment of Advanced Welder Training Centres (AWTCs).

Using the state-of-the Soldamatic augmented reality welding simulator, the training delivered at the AWTCs quickly qualifies welders to the only industry Standard in the world that is accepted in both Europe and America: ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders – Fusion welding. This Standard is the minimum requirement for working on rolling stock, defence and infrastructure projects, which are crucial to onshore Australian manufacturing and a stronger national economy.

New South Wales Department of Education Advanced Manufacturing Outreach Pilot Program Weld Australia is committed to ensuring that Australia develops and maintains a world-class, modern welding workforce. To facilitate this, we’re working on programs that improve STEM skills and give high school students the chance to use emerging technologies.

That’s why we proposed the Advanced Manufacturing School Outreach Program to the New South Wales (NSW) State Government. Late last year, their Department of Education and Training initiated a pilot with Weld Australia.

Image: Students at Woolgoolga High School.

Image: Teacher training at Lake Illawarra High School.

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Phase one of the Program has funded teacher training for 16 schools across the state. Weld Australia is rolling out this training at the moment,

covering welding technology, standards, quality and career paths. It also includes practical, hands-on training covering inspection of welds, weld defects and the use of the Soldamatic augmented reality welding simulators.

One of the 16 schools involved in the pilot was Woolgoolga High School. Weld Australia recently visited Woolgoolga High School and saw the simulators in action. Students were really enthusiastic and were fully engaged with the technology, working away to improve their scores and beat their mates.

The simulators allow students to be at the centre of the process, work at their own pace and operate in a completely safe environment. The teachers were very positive and pleased with the enthusiasm shown by students.

Weld Australia Delivers ‘Train the Trainer’ Courses to South Metro TAFE South Metropolitan TAFE in Western Australia is set to introduce augmented reality into their welding curriculum.

Image: Teacher training at CIT.

16 Soldamatic simulators have just been delivered to the TAFE, with Weld Australia rolling out training to their teachers, in both ISO 9606 and the use of the simulators, over the last few weeks. The training was enjoyed by South Metropolitan TAFE’s teachers—they all seem to be looking forward to getting students onto the simulators.

Canberra Institute of Technology Introduces Augmented Reality into Welder Training Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is the latest TAFE to introduce augmented reality simulators into the delivery of welder training. CIT offers a range of welder training programs, from entry level through to trade qualifications.

The technology will be used to support student learning in customised training programs and in the delivery of the national curriculum. CIT sees the benefits of this technology for both inexperienced and very experienced learners wishing to develop their skills.

Corrective Services Victoria Pilot Program Our pilot program with Corrective Services Victoria is also progressing. Under the pilot, prisoners at Langi Kal Kal Prison will use an integrated model featuring both the Soldamatic simulators and realworld welding to gain certification to ISO 9606 Qualification testing of welders — Fusion welding.

Weld Australia will develop the training program and roll out a ‘Train the Trainer’ course for instructors.

Image: Teacher training at CIT.

Augmented reality training systems are student-focused, allowing individuals to progress at their own pace. Welding apprentices learn and understand welding procedures and techniques through a more interactive training method, gaining hands on experience in a controlled, safe environment. Augmented reality transforms training from boring theory and text books into highquality interactive experiences that capture the imagination.

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An Update from Weld Australia’s Technology Networks Weld Australia’s Technology Networks provide a forum for technology transfer and research and development, linking members with industry and research organisations. Weld Australia works with Industry Group members to ensure they remain diverse and resilient in the everchanging and increasingly challenging global markets.

Power Generation Process Safety Group Weld Australia’s Power Generation Technology Network recently facilitated a free online webinar on the topic Process Safety: The Start of the Journey.

The objective of process safety is to manage the integrity of operating systems by applying safer design principles, engineering and disciplined operating practices. Process safety principles help prevent incidents that have the potential for a loss of control of a hazardous material or energy. In turn, this prevents severe consequences like fire, explosion and toxic effects, which may ultimately result in loss of life, extensive property damage and environmental impact.

Several industry experts spoke during the webinar, including Lara Kayess (Manager, Asset Management, Aurecon), Ralph Villarosa (Engineering Leader, Energy Australia), Ian Rawlings (Manager Boilers, CS Energy), Ryan James (Senior Manager, Process Safety, AGL Energy) and Jon Alsop (Group Manager Engineering Services, Origin Energy). With over 65 attendees, the webinar generated a range of interesting discussions.

Following on from the webinar, a meeting was held with the speakers, at which it was decided to: • Run a post event survey • Develop a Terms of Reference for a Process Safety Industry Group • Compile a list of potential guides the group could develop

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Ian Rawlings (Manager Boilers, CS Energy) accepted the nomination to Chair the group.

The survey was conducted, which resulted in recommendations for future action, including: • Development of a mechanism for the sharing of safety incidents • Production of good practice guides • Completion of baseline audits to facilitate benchmarking The first two guides to be produced will be a Guideline for Safety Critical Elements and a Guideline for Reporting Process Safety Incidents for the Electricity Industry. These two documents have been circulated for review and are currently underway.

Lara Kayess (Manager, Asset Management, Aurecon) is facilitating an audit with each member of the Power Generation Technology Network to establish a baseline of Process Safety Management systems. A 40 question survey, based on an OECD questionnaire, has been developed. The survey questions have been built into an MS form with a selection of drop-down responses. An accompanying introductory pack has also been developed to introduce the Weld Australia Process Safety Group, outline the reasons for the survey and the benefits to a company in doing the survey. The aim is to complete all benchmark surveys by April.

Weld Australia to Launch Rail Technology Network Welding is a core capability critical in the delivery of rail projects, as well as the maintenance, repair and refurbishment of existing assets. As such, Weld Australia’s Rail Technology Network will help improve welding capability, facilities and supply chains throughout the rail industry.

Weld Australia has a wide portfolio of accomplished work in the rail industry on infrastructure, as well as multiple fleets of trams, metropolitan trains, regional trains, and freight transport. We believe now is the right time to launch a Rail Technology Network.

The purpose of the Rail Technology Network is to: • Bring the welding capability of the rail industry and its supply chain to international best practice • Advocate for a national railcar and wagon fabrication facility and supply chain Australia’s rail manufacturing sector is undergoing a significant transition. It is slowly evolving from a more traditional manufacturing model of end-toend rolling stock production, to a more advanced manufacturing model, and low-volume, high-value production. The rapid advances in technology and the changing face of manufacturing generally, mean that businesses within Australia’s rail manufacturing sector are facing the immediate challenge of incorporating new technologies and processes into their operations.

A world-class rail welding industry in Australia will facilitate a shift in manufacturing focus, capitalise on international opportunities, and develop the rail supply chain capabilities.

JOIN NOW

The Benefits of Technology Network Membership • • • • • • • • • • •

A confidential forum for discussing issues with peers A unified body that advocates for change among industry clients Advantageous access to technical advice and engineering support The opportunity to benchmark against industry best practice A conduit between industry and research organisations Beneficial nationally and internationally accredited training Cost effective certification products and services Collaborative sharing of resources and services for repair options in accordance with Australian and international standards Opportunities to influence Australian Standards, contract terms and specifications Opportunity to participate in research and development projects Technology transfer and networking via industry specific forums

Contact Alistair Forbes (National Manager Corporate Businesses, Weld Australia) on a.forbes@weldaustralia.com.au for details.

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Member Directory Weld Australia Member Directory

Weld Australia is dedicated to providing members with a competitive advantage through access to industry, research, education, government, and the wider welding community. When you join Weld Australia, you become part of a network of engaged companies and individuals, with which you can share technology transfer, best practices, and professional opportunities.

For further information, please contact membership@weldaustralia.com.au or +61 2 8748 0100.

Technology Network Members

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AGL Energy www.agl.com.au 131 245 customer.solutions@agl.com.au

Transport and Main Roads (Queensland) www.tmr.qld.gov.au +61 7 3066 6358 TMRStructuralMaterials@tmr.qld.gov.au

ANSTO www.ansto.gov.au +61 2 9717 3111 enquiries@ansto.gov.au

Navantia Australia www.navantia.com.au +61 2 6269 5900 navantia.australia@navantia.es

Ausgrid www.ausgrid.com.au +61 2 4951 9555 cchiodi@ausgrid.com.au

NRG Gladstone Operating Service www.nrggos.com.au +61 7 4976 5211 cmcguinn@nrggos.com.au

Austal www.austal.com +61 8 9410 1111 info@austal.com

Stanwell Corporation www.stanwell.com 1800 300 351 www.stanwell.com/contact-us

CB&I www.cbi.com +61 8 9324 5555 www.cbi.com/contact

Synergy www.synergy.net.au +61 8 9781 6720 Doug.Harman@synergy.net.au

CS Energy www.csenergy.com.au +61 7 3854 7777 energyinfo@csenergy.com.au

Thales Australia www.thalesgroup.com +61 2 8037 6000 MaritimeBusinessSupport@thalesgroup.com.au

Energy Australia www.energyaustralia.com.au 133 466 Wayne.Hill@energyaustraliansw.com.au

Transport for NSW www.transport.nsw.gov.au +61 2 8202 2200 stakeholder.relations@transport.nsw.gov.au

LYB Operation & Maintenance Loy Yang B Power Station www.loyyangb.com.au +61 3 5177 2000 contactus@loyyangb.com

Vales Point Power Station (Delta) www.de.com.au +61 2 4352 6111 info@de.com.au

Australian Welding

Premium Corporate Members

ALS Industrial www.alsglobal.com/au +61 2 4922 2400 powerservices@alsglobal.com

Coregas http://coregas.com.au +61 2 9794 2222 info@coregas.com

Outsource Institute: https://outsourceinstitute.com.au 1300 136 904 info@outsourceinstitute.com.au

Applied Ultrasonics Australia www.appliedultrasonics.com.au +61 2 9986 2133 info@appliedultrasonics.com.au

HRL Technology Group www.hrlt.com.au 1800 475 832 info@hrl.com.au

QENOS www.qenos.com +61 3 9258 7333 enquiry@qenos.com

Baker & Provan www.bakerprovan.com.au +61 2 8801 9000 info@bakerprovan.com.au

KAW Engineering http://kawengineering.com.au +61 8 9144 2465 sales@kawengineering.com.au

Quest Integrity Group www.questintegrity.com +61 7 5507 7900 Info-APAC@questintegrity.com

BOC www.boc-limited.com.au +61 2 8874 4400 contact@boc.com

Lincoln Electric www.lincolnelectric.com +61 2 9772 7222 sales@lincolnelectric.com.au

Callidus Welding Solutions http://callidusgroup.com.au +61 8 6241 0799 info@callidusgroup.com.au

LMATS http://lmats.com.au +61 8 9200 2231 admin@lmats.com.au

UGL Pty Limited www.ugllimited.com +61 2 8925 8925 uglinfo@ugllimited.com

CIGWELD www.cigweld.com.au 1300 654 674 enquiries@cigweld.com.au

Main Roads Western Australia www.mainroads.wa.gov.au 138 138 enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au

Welding Industries of Australia (WIA) www.welding.com.au 1300 300 884 info@welding.com.au Wilmar Sugar www.wilmarsugarmills.com.au +61 7 4722 1972 info@wilmar.com.au

CONTACT engineering@weldaustralia.com.au | VISIT weldaustralia.com.au Q1 | March 2021

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Corporate Members 3M Australia: 3m.com.au A & B Welding: abwelding.com.au Abrasion Resistant Materials: arm.com.au Adept Inspections & Training: adeptengineering.com.au Aerison: aerison.com AF Gason: gason.com.au Aitken Welding: aitkenwelding.com Ancon Building Products: ancon.com.au Antec Group: antec.com.au ARL Laboratory Services: arllabservices.com.au ATTAR: attar.com.au Austal: austal.com Austedan Fabrications: austedan.com.au Austin Engineering: austineng.com Austral: australtechnologies.com.au Australian Rail Track Corporation: artc.com.au Australian Welding Supplies: awsi.com.au AWS Centre of Excellence: australianweldingsolutions.com.au BAE Systems: baesystems.com Barker Hume Homes: N/A Baxter Institute: baxter.vic.edu.au Ben Baden Services: craneconnection.com.au Berg Engineering: bergengineering.com.au Bisalloy Steels: bisalloy.com.au BlueScope Steel: bluescopesteel.com.au BMC Welding: bmcgroup.com.au Bombardier Transportation: bombardier.com/en/transportation.html Bossong Engineering: bossong.com.au Bradken: bradken.com Brezac Constructions: brezac.com.au Broadspectrum: broadspectrum.com Brosco Enterprises: brosco.com.au Browns Precision Welding: brownswelding.com.au Brunton Engineering & Construction: brunteng.com Caltex Refineries (QLD): caltex.com.au Catten Industries: catten.com.au CCR Group: ccrgroup.com.au CPT Engineering: cptengineering.com.au CQ Field Mining Services: cqfma.com.au Crisp Bros Haywards: haywards-steel.com Cruisemaster Australia: cruisemaster.com.au Cullen Steel: cullensteel.com.au D&L Engineering Services: fabinox.com.au DGH Engineering: dghengineering.com.au

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Direct Solutions Australia: directsolutions.net.au Diverse Welding: diversewelding.com.au DJM Fabrications: djmfab.com DT Hiload Australia: dthiload.com Edcon Steel: edconsteel.com.au Engineering Welding and Inspection Services Ensitech: www.ensitech.com.au Excel Marine: excelmarine.net.au Extrin: extrin.com.au FIELD Engineers: fieldengineers.com.au Fortress Systems: fortressresistors.com Foxheat: foxheat.com Frontline Manufacturing: frontlinemanufacturing.com.au Furphy Engineering: furphys.com.au G & G Mining Fabrication: ggminingfab.com Global Manufacturing Group: gmqld.com.au Hamilton Maintenance Group Hanlon Industries: hanlonindustries.com.au Hilton Manufacturing: hiltonmanufacturing. com.au HVAC Queensland: hvac.com.au Industrial Installation & Maintenance: iimaust.com.au Incat Tasmania: incat.com.au Ingal EPS: ingaleps.com.au IRISndt Australia: irisndt.com ISM Manufacturing: ismmanufacturing.com.au Jacmor Engineering: jacmor.com.au JB Specialised Engineering: jordbellows.com.au JR’s Marine Engineering: jrsgroup.com.au Kangaroo Training Institute: kangarootraininginstitute.com.au Kenro Products: kenrometal.com.au Keppel Prince Engineering: keppelprince.com Keyhole TIG: www.k-tig.com Knox Engineering: knoxeng.com LA Services: la.services LaserBond: laserbond.com.au Lendlease: lendlease.com/au Loclur Engineering: loclur.com.au Lorch South Pacific: lorch.eu/en LSW Group: lswgroup.com.au Lucky Strike Welding MacFab Engineering: macfab.com.au Mainetec: mainetec.com.au MaxiTRANS: maxitrans.com MC Quality Control: mcqualitycontrol.com Mechanical Maintenance Solutions: mms.auz.net Mechanical Testing Services: N/A Midway Metals: midwaymetals.com.au Millmerran: intergen.com

Monadelphous Group: monadelphous.com.au Mudgee Engineering & Fabrication: mudgeeengineering.com.au NEPEAN Engineering & Innovation: nepeanengineering.com.au Newmont Asia Pacific: newmont.com Nix Engineering Group: nixengineering.com.au Orrcon Manufacturing: orrconsteel.com.au OSD Pipelines: osdlimited.com Precision Metal Group Aust: precisionmetalgroup.com QSM Fabrication: qsmfabrication.com.au Quality Process Services: qpspl.com.au Radio Frequency Systems: rfsworld.com RJB Industries: rjb-industries.com Robert Vernon: N/A Robot Technologies-Systems Australia: robottechnologies.com.au Rockpress: rockpress.com.au RTM Engineering: rtmengineering.com.au Russell Mineral Equipment: rmeglobal.com S&L Steel: slsteel.com.au Samaras Group: samarasgroup.com Santos: santos.com SMW Group: smwgroup.com.au Smenco: smenco.com.au Snowy Hydro: snowyhydro.com.au Southern Cross Industrial Supplies: scis.com.au SSS Manufacturing: sssmanufacturing.com Steel Mains: www.steelmains.com Stilcon Holdings: www.stilcon.com.au Structural Integrity Engineering: siepl.com.au SVSR: svsr.com.au SWA Water Australia: swawater.com.au Synergy Aluminum Towers: synergyaccessandscaffolding.com.au The Bloomfield Group: bloomcoll.com.au The Shotton Group: shottongroup.com.au TEi Services: tei.com.au TICS: ticsndt.com Topline Steel Fabrications: N/A Trade and Investment NSW: industry.nsw.gov.au Uneek Bending: uneek.com.au United Pacific Engineering: unitedpacificeng.com Victorian Testing & Inspection Services: victesting.com.au Veolia: www.veolia.com/anz Walz Construction: walzgroup.biz Welding Equipment Sales and Service (WESS): wess.com.au Welding Guns of Australia: unimig.com.au WGASA: wga.com.au

Enrol in a Fusion Welding Course Today

Enrol in a fusion welding course at any of the Advanced Welder Training Centres listed below.

ACT Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) cit.edu.au 81 Mildura Street, Fyshwick There are two fusion welding courses that adhere to ISO 9606 Qualification test of welders on Training.gov.au. This is the authoritative source of nationally recognised training and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These two courses were developed in Victoria in 2018 and use augmented reality welding simulators as a key component of the training.

Transition Workers To be awarded a certificate for the Course in Fusion Welding to AS/NZS ISO 9606 for Transition Workers, you must successfully complete seven units of competency (four core and three elective).

Core units: • Simulate fusion welding processes using augmented reality equipment • Identify welding processes, safe welding practices and use of hand and power tools • Interpret and apply AS/NZS ISO 9606 for fusion welding processes • Perform fusion welding procedures to meet the procedures of ISO 9606-1 (Steels – carbon steels) Experienced Welders To be awarded a Statement of Attainment for the Course in Fusion Welding to AS/NZS ISO 9606 for Experienced Welders, you must successfully complete three units of competency (one core and two elective). The core unit is: Interpret and apply AS/NZS ISO 9606 for fusion welding processes.

Further Information For further information, contact: training@weldaustralia.com.au

Queensland TAFE Queensland tafeqld.edu.au • Cairns Campus: Gatton, Newton, Eureka and, Wilkinson Streets, Manunda • Townsville (Trade Centre Bohle) Campus: 763 Ingham Road, Bohle • Toowoomba Campus: 100 Bridge Street, Toowoomba City • Ashmore Campus: Benowa Road & Heeb Street, Ashmore • Nambour Campus: 91 Windsor Road, Burnside • Bundaberg Campus: 118 Walker Street, Bundaberg West South Australia TAFE SA Regency Campus tafesa.edu.au 137 Days Road, Regency Park Tasmania Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council tasminerals.com.au 13 Wellington Street, Burnie Victoria Box Hill Institute boxhill.edu.au 465 Elgar Road, Box Hill Bendigo TAFE bendigotafe.edu.au 23 Mundy Street, Bendigo Federation University federation.edu.au Lydiard Street South, Ballarat

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Securing the Future of

Australia’s Welding Industry

weldaustralia.com.au | office@weldaustralia.com.au | +61 2 8748 0100