African Fusion June 2015

SAIW: NDT technician development

Ultrasonic testing at DCD’s Top Guns welding competition during 2014.

the first supporting leg of the NDT tech- nicians’ chair are his or her abilities. The abilities of an individual refers to those qualities that they bring to the table prior to being trained or mentored and includephysical andknowledgeabilities and specific personal characteristics. Any person wanting to become an NDT technician should at least be able to pass a visual acuity test and have the physical ability required, for lifting and carrying of equipment or climbing in or onto vessels, for example. Personality traits such as honesty, integrity and re- sponsible, are also beneficial. At the starting point, pre- knowledge pertaining to math- ematics and science at a Grade 10 pass mark is needed to be eligible for the surface testing methods such as visual testing (VT), magnetic testing (MT) and penetrant testing (PT), while Grade 12 pass marks are more appropriate for eddy current testing (ECT), ultrasonic testing (UT) and radiographic testing (RT). Should the minimum requirements not be met, then a pass mark of greater that 70% in a proficiency test would be re- quired. This test is specifically created to assess the basic mathematical and comprehensive skills required for NDT. NDT students would then be en- couraged to go through the various NDT Qualification levels, from Level 1 through to Level 3, which all have associated NDT roles and responsi- bilities in industry. Leg 2 – Training: This leg refers to formal classroomtrainingprovidedby an approved training body (ATB) based on international codes, standards and procedures relating to relevant indus- trial or product sectors. The theoretical

pany and directly related to end-user expectations. On the negative side, the lack of independence when assessing person- nel competencies are problematic and the system is difficult to harmonise with respect to basic knowledge, codes and standards, specifications and the application of practical skills between different companies, since employers only focus on their own area of activity. Based on the analysis of both sys- tems it is clear that the limitations of the one system are addressed by the benefits the other. If the two systems were combined, therefore, a qualityNDT technicianwithabalance of harmonised theoretical knowledge and industry relevant skills could be qualified for NDT work in South African industry. To achieve this combination, a faci­ litator body is needed to ensure that each aspect of the qualification and certification for quality NDT personnel is achieved. The South African Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (SAINT) has undertaken to fulfil this role, by estab- lishing the SAINT Professional Body for NDT, whose sole purpose would be to professionally designate qualified and certified NDT personnel. A good quality, well rounded NDT tech- nician can be compared to a sturdy chair, with the combined ISO 9712 and SNT‑TC‑1A systems as its seat. The seat is supportedby four legs, withadditional ongoing support in the form of a back- rest being supplied by the professional designation system. An approach to developing quality NDT technicians

Jansen believes that the quality of NDT inspection is mostly dependent on human resources and the competency of the NDT Technician. contents of training courses should comply with ISO TR 25107, IAEA Tecdoc 628 and ASNT CP 105. Formative assessments to assess learning progress, and a summative assessment at the end of the training

Ongoing support

A well-rounded NDT technician can be compared to a sturdy chair, with the combined ISO 9712 and SNT-TC-1A systems as its seat.

Continuous personnel development

Practical assessment

SAQCC

NDT

Technician

Company authoristion ISO 9712 and SNT–TC-1A

Leg 4 – Industrial experience

Leg 3 – Qualification

Leg 2 – Training

Leg 1 – Abilities

Leg 1 – Abilities: A sturdy chair requires four legs of equal strength. Representing

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June 2015

AFRICAN FUSION