Top Tens Tips for NDT Inspectors

What’s the difference between a good NDT Technician versus an Excellent NDT Technician? – the number of qualifications you can amass?? – NO!

Having spent many years in an operational role within a UKAS accredited company, I thought I would share some useful information and tips from my perspective that can really make Inspectors stand out, and end up becoming our go to Guy’s and Gal’s

In no particular order, here are my top ten tips to becoming a valuable asset to inspection companies. ( Some are common sense )

1. Having a great attitude goes along way, you may not be the best tech out there, but having a great attitude towards others and giving 100% is all Inspection companies ask, be a team player!
2. SIGN YOUR PCN CERTIFICATE!!! You would be surprised how many people do not sign their certificate! – this causes headaches when Inspection companies get audited - get it signed!
3. Make sure you have your PCN Certificate and Wallet card with you on every job – I’m surprised how many  Inspectors don’t carry this with them, you may be asked on a job to prove certification. if you don't have it with you may hinder the job a while till the inspection company can prove you have certification.
4. Ensure that you send in your most up to date NDT certificates, this is to ensure that the Inspection companies data bases are up to date, if you have been recently certified in UT testing, and the company doesn’t know, then you won’t get used for a UT job… as they won’t know you are certified – pretty simple huh? – it’s not the inspection companies job to chase you up! 
5. Keep your competence up!!- most inspection companies will require you to pass their in house competency assessment, Showing up these days and saying “ I haven’t touched an angle probe for two years” won’t cut it, it’s your responsibility to ensure that you are on point with the inspection methods you are certified in – go get additional training, read books! This is your lively hood so why wouldn’t you?
6. Know your standards and procedures – most inspection companies work to the same standards, get to know them!- get to know your company procedures well!
7. Have a high standard of reporting, don’t just show up on a job and report the bare minimum, the inspection report is the end product of your work! Have pride in what you are producing.
8. Understand that things change, show that you can be flexible!, not in the bendy sense! but I mean, if a job is pushed to the right or left, show that you can be flexible with dates.
9. Update the Project Managers back in the office when you are on a job, trust me, too much updates is better than not enough updates!!
10. Lastly, keep your certification in date!!! to many times Inspectors leave this to the last minute and their certification expires, make sure you get this booked well in advance! - I have seen too many times where inspectors are on a long term contract and they let their certification expire, it is your responsibility to keep this in date.

These may seem like very common sense tips, but you will be surprised at how much of a head ache this gives inspections companies, so help us help you!

I’d love to hear other tips if you have them!