Update information regarding Canadian Welding Bureau:
At this time, CWB continues to deliver auditing and testing services to our clients who have been designated as essential workplaces or as requested in jurisdictions with no restrictions, except where government travel restrictions prevent us from doing so.
We recognize that some clients have imposed visitor restrictions for their facilities, and the CWB will adhere to these restrictions as requested. If clients wish to reschedule any service appointments to a later date, they may do so by contacting their Certification Service Representative. The CWB will not impose any cancellation charges for any cancelled or rescheduled appointments due to the COVID-19 situations.
The CWB has directed our staff to follow the social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols suggested by Canada’s health agencies. This includes social distancing (maintaining a distance of > 2m from others) and regular handwashing. Our CSRs may also choose to wear masks or gloves while conducting their work. We ask for the understanding and assistance of all clients to follow social distancing and enhanced hygiene practices to keep all of our workers safe. To ensure their safety, we have also instructed our staff not to test individuals that display flu-like symptoms.
For welder qualification testing, CWB continues to provide onsite welder testing at its client facilities, including those for Accredited Test Centres and Union Test Centres. If your normal testing location is not available or has been closed, a full listing of Accredited Test Centres can be found on the CWB Group website.
Due to the uncertainty of the duration of the COVID-19 situation and current limitations on the provision of testing services, the following allowances have been implemented effective March 25, 2020 and will be in effect until further notice:
- Welder qualifications (tickets) will be considered valid for a period of 3 months beyond the stated expiry date. During this 3 month period, the individual will still be considered qualified for the process/position noted on the qualification
- In addition, the 3 months grace period following the expiry of a welder qualification for the individual to conduct check testing will be increased to 6 months
- Welding inspector qualifications under CSA W178.2 will be considered valid for a period of 3 months beyond the stated expiry date
- Welding inspectors seeking renewal/recertification of their certification will have an additional 3 months period to meet all requirements
- Welding inspectors who applied for certification prior to March 25, 2020, will have an additional 3 months to meet all requirements
- Certified welding electrodes will be considered valid for a period of 3 months beyond the stated expiry date
We will also delay the transition to the new edition of CSA W47.1-2019 from June 1, 2020, to September 1, 2020. This will permit our clients additional time for any work to accommodate the transition, however, we will be prepared to administer the new Standard by June 1, 2020 if required by our client.
All examination sessions in CWB Group offices or satellite locations have been cancelled effective March 25. CWB will contact examination candidates with booked appointments to make alternative arrangements.
As previously communicated, please note the following services are not currently impacted:
- Welding procedures can continue to be submitted to CWB via email. Our Procedure Engineers continue to provide full service and are available via telephone and email.
- Letters of validation continue to be processed and distributed as normal. Clients are encouraged to use our client portal to access copies of their Letter of Validation and other certification documents and to view statements
- Certified Welding Inspector applications and renewals continue to be processed as normal.
- Our laboratories continue to evaluate welder qualification test plates received at our facilities
- New welder qualifications (tickets) continue to be produced and sent to clients. Clients are reminded that the electronic tickets provided on the “Test Session Summary Report” that is provided by CWB when plates are evaluated are valid and acceptable proof of qualification