Plastics|SA’s Training Division has launched a brand new learning programme for Thermoplastic Welding Inspectors or future inspectors who need to know more about the criteria for proper inspection of plastics fabrication welded joints.

According to Kirtida Bhana, Training Executive for Plastics|SA, the Thermoplastic Welding Inspection programme provides an excellent overview for everyone in the thermoplastic fabrication industry. “South Africa has a high demand for plastics welding inspectors, due to the increased use of plastic welding across various industries. Many mining and construction companies are specifying that products traditionally made from steel or metal, be manufactured from plastic. Our new course is a non-NQF programme that focuses on plastics as a material of choice and various fabrication methods such as butt welding, socket fusion, electro-fusion, hot air, hot air extrusion and solvent welding, with the main focus being on the inspection of plastics fabrication welded joints,” Bhana explains.

Owing to their good properties, plastic pipes are increasingly being used to replace metal and ceramic pipes.  However, as with all pipelines and regardless of the materials used, the integrity of plastic pipe joints (welds) is critical to the success of the pipeline. To this end, the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association, through its Installation and Fabrication Plastics Pipe Association  initiative, has welcomed and endorsed the development of the Thermoplastic Welding Inspection programme. “An entire pipeline depends on the quality of a weld.  The repercussions of poor welding could even be life-threatening in mines or at construction sites and our industry therefore needs qualified welding inspectors who would be able to spot poor or inferior quality welding or confirm the quality and safety of the weld,” says Jan Venter, CEO of the SAPPMA.

The training courses last three days.  The pilot programme will be launched at Plastics|SA’s training centre in Johannesburg on 08, 09 and 10 April 2014, after which the course will also be offered at the association’s Cape Town and Durban branches, or presented in-house at a company’s premises.