Checklist – Before Welding

 Review drawings and specifications to determine if any special considerations, such as

preheat is necessary.
 Ensure purchased material (base material and consumables) are those which have been
specified.
 Check material test reports and chemical compositions against requirements.
 Check condition and storage of welding consumables. Low-hydrogen electrodes need
special storage to prevent moisture pick up.
 Check that material fit-up is adequate
 Check the cleanliness of the joint. Excessive levels of rust, oil, dirt, paint and other
contaminants are detrimental to weld quality.
 Check that proper welding procedures specification and welder qualifications are in place
and up to date.
 If preheat is necessary, ensure it is done and measured correctly.
Checklist – During Welding
 Check that all parameters stated in the Welding Procedure Specification are being followed.
These parameters include items such as wire feed speed, voltage, electrical stickout,
welding technique, welding progression, travel and push angles, shielding gas, adequate
preheat and interpass temperature (if required), etc.
 Check individual weld passes. If there is a multi-pass weld make sure each pass is adequate
before placing the next weld. Problems can arise when welding over passes that have
excessive convexity, trapped slag at the toes and other inconsistencies.
 If necessary, check that proper interpass temperature is being maintained. Interpass
temperature is usually shown as a minimum, but some cases will also have a maximum
interpass temperature.
 Check for visual cues that can indicate problems. This is the responsibility of the
welder. Surface contaminants, low-melting elements and other things can cause a variety
of problems. A welder can see if he is not getting adequate penetration, something that
can’t be seen after welding unless ultrasonic, radiographic or other NDE tests are
performed.
Checklist – After Welding
 Check weld appearance to ensure no inconsistencies or discontinuities are present.

 Check for adequate weld size.

 Check for adequate weld length, especially when intermittent welds are used.
 Select parts to be tested according to specifications.
  Check that postweld heat treatment is done properly, if necessary.
A welding inspector cannot reasonably expect to be able to monitor all of this for every
single station and weld performed. Therefore, it is critical that welder and other
personnel are trained in all aspects of visual inspection. Identifying problems before
welding can save a lot of time and money, do not limit your inspection until after
welding.

Do you have any other items that can be added to any of these checklist?