Inspection Trends

When you look to the Merriam-Webster dictionary for the definition of ethics, you’ll discover that ethics “is a set of moral principles; a theory or system of moral values.” That helps if you know what morals are. Just in case you don’t, Merriam-Webster further explains, “morals often describes one’s particular values concerning what is right and what is wrong.” According to the dictionary, ethics “tends to suggest aspects of universal fairness and the question of whether or not an action is responsible.” So, I understood that ethics are moral principles in which each person can decide right or wrong. That’s not what I believe, but someone could draw a fair conclusion from those definitions.

I cherry-picked only a few things from these definitions to arrive at what I believe is a false conclusion. But I’m sure some people believe that their perceived morals give them the ability to define right and wrong. Kind of along the lines of the famous phrase, “I reject your reality and substitute my own.” Dictionary.com tells us in one definition that ethics are “the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.” This topic and discussion could go on for a long time and in many directions. However, because we are looking at this from an AWS welding inspector’s viewpoint, we are a particular group, and, therefore, we should be looking in a specific place for our answer. As a Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI), Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), or Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI), you should look to AWS for answers on your professional ethical conduct.

AWS QC1

AWS QC1:2016-AMD1, Specification for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors, is the current source for those answers. The scope of this specification establishes the requirements for certification of AWS welding inspection personnel. It also describes the principles of conduct and practice by which certification may be maintained. In Clause 11, the specification explicitly addresses the Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct, and Practice. So, to the question of whether ethics are based on the individual CWI’s morals, no, they’re not. Our professional ethics are established within the standard by which we are governed.

We know there’s a mandate and how it’s established, but why? Let’s answer that; then, we can understand how AWS defines ethics. The AWS QC1 specification mandates welding inspectors maintain integrity and high standards in skill and practice while conducting welding inspections to safeguard the health and well-being of the public. In doing so, inspectors are to be aware of principles, which we will discuss shortly, along with the scope to which they apply. When you think about it, that’s a heavy burden. AWS takes this so seriously that any unauthorized practice is subject to The Certification Committee of the AWS’s review. If you are found to be in violation, you could face suspension, reprimand, or revocation of your certification.

In my mind, even more severe than that is this: When welds break, people die. I have often said that to engineers, designers, and anyone who seems to take a flippant approach to welding. You know the type who comment: “The welds look good to me. Let’s ship it.” Most of the time, the statement “when welds break, people die” gets their attention. It sounds a little dramatic, but that’s the mindset welding inspectors should have, because it’s true. Not always, but even if it only happens once, it’s one time too many. As an inspector, you should consider your ultimate responsibility to safeguard the public’s health and well-being, not to stamp off a report and ship the product for the highest profit. Ultimately, public safety is why welding inspectors exist and must perform their duties with a Code of Ethics. Let’s look at Clause 11 from AWS QC1.

Clause 11 Summary

The following is paraphrased and summarized from the original text. Please refer to the AWS standard for the whole language and intent, which may be downloaded for free at aws.org (type in QC1 in the search window).

Integrity

AWS mandates that welding inspectors certified by AWS act with complete integrity in professional matters. Inspectors are to be forthright and candid with their employer, the employer’s customer or regulator, and the Standards Committee on matters pertaining to AWS QC1.

Responsibility to the Public

This subclause reinforces the inspector’s responsibility to the public to act to preserve public health and well-being by performing the duties of the inspector conscientiously and impartially. This will be done to the extent of the inspector’s moral and civic responsibility and qualification as follows:

• Take on and perform only assignments for which you’re qualified.
• Present credentials when requested by persons authorized to examine them.
• Must not falsely represent your certification status in any form.
• Must be completely objective, thorough, and factual in all statements, written or otherwise.
• Sign only for work the inspector has inspected or has knowledge of through active supervision.
• The inspector is neither to associate with or participate in fraudulent or dishonest activities.

Public Statements

• An inspector must identify any interested parties and disclose any financial interest before issuing statements, criticisms, or arguments on weld inspection matters related to public policy.
• An inspector may only publicly express an opinion on welding inspection subjects if the inspector has full knowledge of all facts in the matter, is competent in the subject technical matter, and has made an honest evaluation of the subject.

Conflict of Interest

• An inspector must avoid any situation where there is a conflict of interest with an employer or client and disclose any situation where it may be perceived as such.
• An inspector may only accept compensation from one party for the same project if authorized or approved by all interested parties.
• An inspector may never ask for or accept gratuities from any party related to any project the inspector is involved with.
• An inspector serving in any capacity as a public official may not inspect, review, or approve any project associated with the inspector’s position unless all related parties are aware of it and approve.

Solicitation of Employment

• Except for usual commission licensing fees, an inspector may not bribe or offer pay in any form for employment.
• An inspector may not exaggerate or falsely claim academic or professional qualifications of themselves or their associates.
• An inspector may only claim their credentials are suitable within the scope of the endorsements.
• An inspector may only disclose proprietary information from information gained while conducting inspection duties from current or past business contacts with written consent except as necessary to complete inspection duties.

It is also noted under this subclause that even though an inspector may be properly certified, those credentials may not carry the legal authority to provide inspection services to the public.

Unauthorized Practice

Any violation of the standard of conduct or the Code of Ethics contained in the standard, in part or in whole, as it relates to the AWS inspector’s duties constitutes unauthorized practice and is subject to sanctions.

Conclusion

Regardless of your moral convictions or your ideology on ethics, as an inspector certified by AWS, you will be held to the standard of conduct and ethics established by AWS. It is hard to believe that anyone would read any of these standards and think they are too restrictive or overbearing. Some out there feel these standards don’t or shouldn’t apply to them. But these standards seem reasonable, and I would question why someone feels that way. Some people are in violation of these standards and have faced sanctions by AWS accordingly. Some may have even encountered legal ramifications as a result. What could someone believe they could gain when there is so much more to lose? This all ties back to a person’s integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. You don’t have integrity if you’re willing to cut corners when you think no one is watching. And if you don’t have integrity, in what do you place your value? Something to ponder.

ERIC LICHTFUSZ (eric.lichtfusz@roush.com) is a CWI-manager at Roush Industries, Livonia, Mich. He is also an AWS Detroit Section executive committee senior past chair and ASNT Level II inspector.