African Fusion August 2015

SAIW Member profile: Hydra-Arc SAIW bulletin boar

SAIW celebrates the success of its students

SAIW’s second Johannesburg graduation dinner for 2015 was celebrated at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on July 24, 2015, at which 108 Inspector Level 1 and 36 Inspector Level 2 graduation certificates were awarded, along with one IIW Welding Specialist qualification.

tions, guidelines and rules and they have an important responsibility to ensure adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act). “The concept of weldability is com- plex and involved,” he advises. “It depends on material properties, pro- cedures to be followed, metallurgical behaviour during welding and heat treatment, the choice of welding pro- cesses and the competency, skills, workmanship and knowledge applied throughout the process of fabrication and inspection. “An inspector’s job is to assure the quality of welding. To do so we inspect weldments during and after fabrication, using visual andNDT techniques, andwe deploy quality systems such as the ISO 3834 –Welding Fabricators Certification Scheme in our welding environments,” he adds. “In performing these responsibili- ties, though, I urge you to develop re- spect and understanding of welders and the tasks they perform. A good inspector understands the welding conditions, knows what is required of a welder and treats him or her as a true artisan. You need to understand the limitations of welding position and accessibility, have intimate knowledge of the weld design and quality requirements and it helps to knowwhat is happening in the arc at the point of welding. “Together with the welder, you are part of a quality team and together you can build knowledge and experience about the importance of proper joint design, the control of process param- eters and the need to always follow welding procedures. While we inspect and test in accordance with applicable specifications such as AWS and ISO, there is no substitute for following ap- proved procedures from start to finish of a welding project. “Non-adherence to proper proce- dure can kill people, cause failure or damage, and significant downtime costs can be incurred. Your job is to save lives, ensure production ismaintained, main- tenance costs are reduced and a quality product is delivered. “Now that you are qualified, be proud! Go out and build your career in this exiting engineering discipline. You are indeed a significant and much needed role player in this industry,” Joubert concludes.

W ith many welding and inspection stalwarts in attendance, includ- ing Eskom’s chief welding engineer and SAIW president, Morris Maroga; along with board members Ben Beetge of Sentinel Inspection; Dawie Olivier, the SAQCC CP representative; Frikkie Buys of Sasol Synfuels; Gert Joubert of ArcelorMittal; Robin Williamson, an ex SAIW president and consultant; Tom Rice, a consultant to Böhler Udderholm Africa; Johan Pieterse of Afrox, Joseph Zinyana of New Age Welding Solutions; and Pieter Venter, chairperson of the SAIW Technology and Training boards and a welding engineer at ArcelorMit- tal. “Also a special word of thanks to the SAIW staff members. Without your continued effort tonight would not be possible,” said SAIW executive director Sean Blake during the welcome. Comedy was chosen for the eve- ning’s entertainment: “We have a sur- prise for you tonight,” said Blake. “We have brought, all the way from Durban, the tallest Indian female comedienne in South Africa,” referring to the 1.77 m beauty, Karmen Naidoo, who is also a qualified mechanical engineer. Delivering themotivational address, Gert Joubert said that graduates enter- ing the world of the welding inspection need to understand welding specifica-

Gert Joubert of ArcelorMittal delivers a motivational address at the SAIW’s second Johannesburg graduation dinner for 2015.

Londeka Princess Mavuso receives her Level 2 Welding and Fabrication Inspector Level 2 certificate from SAIW President Morris Maroga.

Alex van Jaarsveldt (left) and Robin Nankomar (right) photographed with their respective partners receiving IIW Welding Inspector and SAIW Level 2 Inspector certificates.

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August 2015

AFRICAN FUSION