AWS B5.9:2006

An American National Standard

Specification for the Qualification of Welding

Supervisors

AWS B5.9: 2006

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

March 21, 2006

Specification for the Qualification of Welding Supervisors

Supersedes AWS B5.9:2000

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) B5I Subcommittee on Supervisor Programs

Under the Direction of the AWS Personnel and Facility Qualification Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This standard describes the requirements for qualification as a Welding Supervisor. The requirements include education, experience, and a written examination. This standard also covers the job functions a qualified Welding Supervisor should be able to perform.

550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other govern- mental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While AWS administers the process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this standard. AWS also makes no guaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is not undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity. Nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances.

This standard may be superseded by the issuance of new editions. Users should ensure that they have the latest edition.

Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept any and all liabilities for infringement of any patent or trade name items. AWS disclaims liability for the infringement of any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard.

Finally, AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

On occasion, text, tables, or figures are printed incorrectly, constituting errata. Such errata, when discovered, are posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org).

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the Managing Director, Technical Services Division, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (see Annex B). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. However, such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS Personnel and Facilities Committee. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS Personnel and Facilities Commit- tee and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS Personnel and Facilities Committee to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

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Personnel

AWS Personnel and Facility Qualification Committee

P. R. Evans, Chair PCI Energy Services

W. F. Behnke, 1st Vice Chair Ford—Sterling Plant

P. A. Michalski, 2nd Vice Chair Dominion East Ohio

S. P. Hedrick, Secretary American Welding Society

K. W. Coryell Consultant

J. A. Grantham Welding & Joining Management Group

P. A. Grimm Modern Welding Company

J. F. Harris Ashland Chemical Company

V. Kuruvilla Genesis Quality Systems

R. D. Messer Consultant

B. W. Phillips Oil States Industries, Incorporated

R. Poe Welding Alloys USA

J. R. Reid Reid Consulting

Y. Senechal Canadian Welding Bureau

D. L. Twitty Dona Ana Branch Community College

T. W. Wallace Metro Water District of Southern California

AWS B5I Subcommittee on Supervisor Programs

W. F. Behnke, Chair Visteon—Sterling Plant

1. P. Hedrick, Secretary American Welding Society

   L. S. Bates Consultant

   C. Choquet 123 Certification

   1. L. Farland Brookhaven National Laboratory

P. A. Grimm Modern Welding Company

V. Kuruvilla Genesis Quality Systems

P. A. Michalski Dominion East Ohio

S. L. Raymond East Coast Welding Assessor

J. R. Reid Reid Consulting

Y. Senechal Canadian Welding Bureau

*Advisor

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Foreword

This foreword is not a part of AWS B5.9:2006, Specification for the Qualification of Welding Supervisors, but is included for informational purposes only.

This is the second edition of this document. Editorial changes were made throughout the document. The Senior Welding Supervisor designation was deleted and a new section on welding economics and productivity was added (see 5.11). The Qualification and Certification Committee of the American Welding Society was formed in 1973. In 1996, it was divided into two committees. The Personnel and Facility Qualification Committee is now responsible for creating American National Standards for welding personnel and welding facility qualification requirements. The AWS Certifi- cation Committee is now responsible for creating certification programs from these and other recognized standards. In 1996, the B5I Subcommittee was formed to prepare a specification for qualification of welding supervisors.

Welding is a complex technology requiring qualified supervisors to achieve and maintain a defined level of weld quality. Such supervising personnel should be able to manage practical and theoretical aspects of welding operations as they apply to the day-to-day supervision of welding fabrication, construction, or maintenance. Qualifying as a Welding Super- visor indicates that the holder has a high degree of knowledge of the theory and practice of welding, and also has the ability and capacity to direct and supervise welding in accordance with the appropriate requirements of a standard.

The Welding Supervisor directs welding activities and personnel, prepares work plans, provides work instructions, and evaluates worker performance. The Welding Supervisor must be thoroughly familiar with welding processes, welding procedures, welder qualifications, materials, safe practices, and the limitation of weld testing. This individual must be able to read drawings, prepare and maintain records, prepare and make reports, and make responsible judgments. For the Welding Supervisor to be effective, the activities performed must be technically correct, ethically proper, and be consis- tent with the job requirements. The Welding Supervisor should be able to work with either the management or the welder with ease, and appreciate the role of each.

This standard was developed to define minimum standards for those persons performing welding-supervision tasks, and to provide a means of recognition for those who have the knowledge, qualification, experience, and expertise in the field of welding supervision.

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS Personnel and Facility Qualification Committee, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the Managing Director, Technical Services Division, American Welding Society (see Annex B). A formal reply will be issued after it has been reviewed by the appropriate personnel following established procedures.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

1. Scope 1

2. Referenced Documents 1

3. Qualification 1

   1. Welding Supervisor (WS). 1

4. Definitions 1

5. Functions 2

   1. Knowledge of Welding Supervision 2

   2. Understanding of Drawings and Specifications 2

   3. Knowledge of Base Material and Welding Materials 2

   4. Familiarity with Welding, Brazing, Cutting Equipment, Theory, and Application 2

   5. Knowledge of Safety Requirements 2

   6. Welding Instructions 2

   7. Knowledge of Welding Practices and Production Controls 2

   8. Welding Inspection 2

   9. Work Reports and Records 2

   10. Understanding the General Applications of Welding Standards 2

   11. Welding Economics and Productivity 2

6. Education and Experience Requirements 3

7. Definition of Experience 3

8. Body of Knowledge 3

9. Examination Requirements 3

10. Maintenance of Qualification 3

Annex A (Normative)—Task Description 5

Annex B (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 7

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