AWS Welding Coordination & QA Endorsement cheat sheet

QA is process-oriented and preventive: it establishes the quality system, procedures, and inspection plans that QC then executes through measurement and testing.

A welding inspection and test plan (ITP) lists each inspection point, the reference document, the acceptance criterion, the responsible party, and whether the point is hold, witness, or review.

Documented acceptance criteria must be traceable to a standard, code, or specification clause; an inspection result without a cited criterion is not a valid conformity decision.

Nonconformance handling sequence: identify and segregate, record on an NCR, disposition (rework, repair, concession, or reject), re-inspect, then close out with traceable records.

Essential variables are the parameters whose change requires requalification of the welding procedure; examples include process, filler classification, joint design, thickness range, and position.

Welder qualification is personal and position/process specific, whereas procedure qualification belongs to the employer and covers the joint and parameter envelope.

Calibration status gates acceptance: measuring and testing equipment must be within its calibration interval, and out-of-calibration instruments invalidate results obtained with them.

Record retention must cover procedure qualification records, welder qualification records, inspection reports, NCRs, and heat/lot traceability for the period the contract or code requires.

Welding coordination covers the production-side activities needed to ensure welding is planned, executed, and verified by competent personnel before, during, and after production.

Coordination tasks include reviewing contract and design requirements, assessing feasibility, planning subcontracted work, selecting and qualifying personnel, and controlling consumables and equipment.

Personnel competence is demonstrated by a combination of technical knowledge, welding experience, and demonstrated ability to apply the relevant standards to the work being coordinated.

Consumable control requires receipt inspection, correct storage per the manufacturer's conditions, issue and return records, and baking or re-drying of hydrogen-sensitive electrodes per procedure.

Equipment control covers suitability for the process, capacity and duty cycle, condition checks, and calibration of instruments such as meters, gauges, and temperature devices.

Production planning must define the welding sequence, joint preparation, preheat and interpass limits, fit-up tolerances, and post-weld heat treatment requirements before work starts.

Subcontracting requires the same coordination controls at the subcontractor; the coordinating party remains responsible for verification of the subcontracted welding.

Coordination ends with verification: inspection and testing results are reviewed against acceptance criteria, and nonconformities are routed back through the quality system.