Trench box Cert

admin

Hello New to the Forum.  My new boss said he needs someone certified for repairing our trench boxes at work.  We sell and rent both steel and aluminum boxes.  I am not sure my boss even knows what certifacation you need."I just need a certified welder."  My question is does anyone have any idea what certifacation someone would need to weld on these things legally.  I would like to put a feather in my hat.ThanksRon Sergeant
Reply:Just make sure you discuss the raise you're gonna get for having the cert.
Reply:Ron,Trench boxes are structural steel, so I believe you'd need to be certified according to AWS D1.1  (for steel) and AWS D1.2(for aluminum)  standards.  You'd actually need multiple certifications; one for each process(stick, fluxcore, etc) and type of material(steel or aluminum).  Depending on how much variety in thickness there is in the material used in the boxes, you might need different certs to cover all the thicknesses. Testing for certs isn't too expensive, and your boss should pay for it, not you.  You'll need to identify the welding procedure used, and document which procedure for which type of trench box.  AWS has may pre-qualified procedures to suit various materials, thicknesses, and welding processes.  Match the procedure to the work, and go to an approved testing facility.  Weld a test coupon according to the procedure, and pass all the tests(probably face/root bends or side bends depending on thickness)I think to be 100% covered your boss would also need someone to inspect the welds made.  You should also look at getting a certified welding inspector on the job....or taking the class and test yourself....Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector