Welding ranks: what you should be able to do and how to improve them

Welder - who is this?

A welder is a worker who is engaged in fastening metal products without the use of fastening devices.
The duration of use of the equipment and the strength of the created products depend on the quality of the welder’s work. This specialist is in demand in a variety of areas: from utilities to metallurgy.

Due to the fact that the range of activities is very wide, there are quite a lot of professional and personal requirements for representatives of this profession.

What does a welder do?

Using a welding machine, he heats parts of the product in a special way, as a result of which the metal is connected at the interatomic level. To perform this kind of work, special welding machines are used.

A specialist can perform various types of welding work. There are currently three recognized and used welding classes:

• Thermal class. A worker performs welding using heat.
• Thermomechanical class. Parts are welded by heating and applying pressure.
• Mechanical class. A welded joint is obtained using only mechanical energy.

Necessary equipment for welding work

Welders

Welding inverters

Semi-automatic welding machines

Argon-arc devices

Consumables

Welding electrodes

Wire for semi-automatic machine

Tungsten electrodes

Welder personal protective equipment (PPE)

Welder masks

Gaiters, protective gloves

Other protection

Welding Accessories

Electrode holders

Ground terminals

Magnetic holders

Welding discharges

Upon completion of their studies at the college or courses, candidates pass theoretical and practical exams by a special commission. The welder is given a diploma indicating his profession and is assigned a certain rank. The level of complexity of the work performed, to which a specialist can be admitted, and the amount of wages depend on the rank.

Usually after college they graduate with the 3rd category, and those who are especially successful in mastering the profession - with the 4th. You can further increase your rank in production or in advanced training courses. There are 6 categories in total. Let's take a closer look at what each digit means in practice.

1st category

This rank is assigned to college students after the first year of study. Essentially, these are students who already know how to hold an electric arc and perform tack work, so they will be able to participate in the assembly of structures.

2nd category

An employee who has mastered his specialty, but not well enough, can be released from college with this rank. It is capable of welding in the lower and vertical positions, surfacing layers of metal for grooving, but is not allowed for connecting pipes through which liquids and steam flow. A second-class welder is able to weld a crater, a crack, and heat the metal before straightening. It is expected that he himself will be able to prepare cylinders for gas welding and set up an acetylene generator. Second-class welders are used in non-critical processes.

3rd category

The specialist must be able to weld vertical, corner, and T-seams using electric arc and gas welding, and hermetically connect pipes. A 3rd category welder understands welding equipment and is able to service and set it up himself. The employee is expected to be able to read blueprints. The welder is allowed to weld carbon steels and structures of medium complexity, but such a specialist will not be able to perform ceiling welding efficiently. When flame cutting, the welder must be able to maintain specified dimensions and apply preliminary markings.

Immediately after college, it is difficult to get a well-paid job with a 3rd category. Employers argue this by lack of practice. But after a couple of years of work, great prospects open up.

4-digit

The specialist is able to assemble parts and structures of medium complexity and conduct high-quality welding in all spatial positions. Can weld pipes hermetically at permanent joints (when it is impossible to rotate the pipe along its axis by 180 degrees to bring the lower part to the top). A 4th category welder can weld using electric, gas, or semi-automatic welding. Can connect cast iron, high-carbon steel, non-ferrous alloys, and is proficient in air arc gouging. Reading drawings of medium complexity is required here by default.

5th category

The specialist is able to weld low-carbon and high-carbon steels, alloy metals, non-ferrous metals in all spatial positions. Suitable for working with critical structures that will undergo high dynamic loads. Welds pipelines, inside of which there will subsequently be high pressure. Able to cut parts of complex shapes to precisely specified dimensions.

6th category

A welder of the highest category, who can do everything as the previous ones, is only able to work with experimental alloys, independently determining the welding method, current strength, type of gases and filler materials. The specialist knows how to cook under water, so he is allowed to repair pipelines and ships that operate in difficult specific conditions under high loads.

II. Job responsibilities

The responsibilities of a gas welder (2-3 category) include:

1. Carrying out preparatory and assembly operations before welding and cleaning welds after welding:

— Familiarization with design and production-technological documentation for welding

— Cleaning structural elements (products, assemblies, parts) for welding with a hand or power tool

— Selection of the spatial position of the weld for welding structural elements (products, assemblies, parts)

— Assembly of structural elements (products, assemblies, parts) for welding using assembly devices

— Assembly of structural elements (products, assemblies, parts) for tack welding

— Inspection using a measuring tool of prepared and assembled structural elements (products, assemblies, parts) using assembly devices for compliance of geometric dimensions with the requirements of design and production-technological documentation for welding

— Inspection using a measuring tool of prepared and tack-assembled structural elements (products, assemblies, parts) for compliance of geometric dimensions with the requirements of design and production-technological documentation for welding

— Cleaning weld seams with hand or power tools after welding

— Removal of surface defects (pores, slag inclusions, undercuts, metal splashes, sagging, etc.) using manual or power tools

2. Gas welding (surfacing) of simple parts of non-critical structures:

— Checking the equipment of the gas welding station

— Checking the functionality and serviceability of gas welding station equipment

— Setting up equipment for gas welding (surfacing)

— Performing preliminary and concomitant (interlayer) heating of the metal

— Performing gas welding (surfacing) of simple parts of non-critical structures

— Inspection using a measuring tool of gas-welded (surfaced) parts for compliance of geometric dimensions with the requirements of design and production-technological documentation for welding

general description

Workers in this specialty are graded based on knowledge and experience working with equipment. Improve the qualifications of a welder - receive a higher rank, respect, honor, increase in salary, and the ability to perform complex tasks.

Disadvantages of the profession:

• work in difficult conditions;
• high eye strain;
• industrial dust that causes asthma and silicosis.

A master of any qualification must have knowledge of:

• in the field of chemistry and physics;
• safety precautions;
• operating principle of the equipment;
• basics of electrical engineering.

Responsibilities include:

• work with proper preparation of the place and materials;
• produce quality products;
• comply with deadlines for completing assignments;
• comply with labor protection rules;
• increase productivity and efficiency of processes;
• place orders for necessary consumables for welding.

People cannot work in this position:

• too irritable;
• having heart disease and allergies;
• with visual and hearing defects;
• with mental disorders;
• with respiratory diseases;
• with impaired motor functions.

Electric and gas welder of the 5th category

A welder with such qualifications must perform manual gas welding of complex and critical structures, apparatus, parts of units, pipelines made of different types of steels, cast iron, non-ferrous metals and alloys. Gas welding of structures designed to operate under dynamic and vibration loads, as well as under pressure.

Must be able to perform manual arc welding of critical building and technological structures that are designed to work in difficult conditions.

Perform oxygen straight, horizontal and figured cutting of especially complex parts from various steels, non-ferrous metals and alloys.

Welding categories

Depending on the technology used, welding is classified as:

1. Press room. The connection is made on a pressing machine using high temperature and high pressure using a point or contact method. Weld all types of metals, including non-ferrous ones.
2. Diffuse welding. Employees in this category work with piece orders and perform operations with experimental samples. The parts are connected in honeycomb furnaces. To increase strength, the metal is enriched with nitrogen.
3. Electron beam. The joining process takes place in a vacuum chamber of an automatic installation, which is configured for piece work or mass production. The technology allows you to weld small jewelry and thin-walled parts that cannot be heated too much. The quality of the connection depends on the accuracy of the system settings, so the installation is serviced by an employee with the highest rank.
4. Termite. The connection is made on a welding press, the workpieces are heated by burning the thermite mixture. A specialist in this category must be able to correctly install the press, prepare the surfaces of the parts and the mold, prepare the mixture and pour the precisely calculated amount into the crucible. Responsibilities also include heating the surface of the workpieces before welding, and after completion, processing the joint.
5. A gas welder can connect workpieces to assemble complex structures and weld pipes in any position. Works with all types of metals. Cutting is performed with a gas cutter.
6. An electric gas welder is a worker who has mastered gas, manual arc, plasma and non-consumable electrode (argon-arc) welding. The seams are subject to high requirements for resistance to mechanical and vibration loads. Welders have a great responsibility for the quality of connections; the differences between categories in this category are expressed very precisely.

Regardless of the category and category, the welder must have basic knowledge and skills

job descriptions
: Technical service “APPROVED” ____________________________________ __________ ________________________ (organizational and legal form, (signature) (full name, position name of the organization, manager or other official) of the person authorized to approve the job description) “__” ___________________ 20__ year M.P. Job description of an electric and gas welder of the 3rd category _________________________________________________________ (full name of the organization, enterprise indicating the organizational and legal form) This job description has been developed in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, as well as other regulations governing labor relations in the Russian Federation. 1. General provisions 1.1. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category belongs to the category of workers. 1.2. An electric and gas welder of the 3rd category is appointed to the position and dismissed from it by order of ___________________________________________ (position of the head of the enterprise, organization) upon the recommendation of _______________________________________________________. (head of a structural unit, other official) 1.3. A person with special professional education is appointed to the position of electric and gas welder of the 3rd category without presenting any work experience requirements. 1.4. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category is guided in his work by: - ​​regulations, as well as instructions and methodological recommendations regulating activities in the field of welding work; — the charter of the enterprise; — internal labor regulations; — rules and regulations of labor protection, safety precautions and fire protection during welding work; — orders and instructions from the immediate supervisor; - this job description. 1.5. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category must know: - the design of serviced electric welding and plasma cutting machines, gas welding equipment, automatic, semi-automatic and plasma torches; — requirements for the weld seam and surfaces after air planing; — methods for selecting electrode grades depending on steel grades; - properties and importance of electrode coatings; — structure of the weld; — methods of testing them and types of control; rules for preparing parts and assemblies for welding and welding; — rules for selecting a metal heating mode depending on the grade of metal and its thickness; — causes of internal stresses and deformations in welded products and measures to prevent them; — basic technological techniques for welding and surfacing parts made of various steels, cast iron, non-ferrous metals and alloys; — cutting mode and gas consumption for oxygen and gas-electric cutting; — rules and regulations of labor protection, safety and fire protection. 1.6. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category reports directly to _________________________________________________________________________. (indicate the position of the head of the structural unit) 1.7. During the absence of an electric gas welder of the 3rd category (illness, vacation, business trip, etc.), his duties are performed by a person appointed in the prescribed manner, who bears full responsibility for their proper performance. 2. Functions 2.1. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category is assigned the following functions: - manual arc, plasma, gas welding, automatic and semi-automatic welding of simple parts, assemblies and structures made of structural steels, non-ferrous metals and alloys and medium complexity parts, assemblies, structures and pipelines made of carbon steels in all positions of the seam, except for the ceiling; — oxygen plasma straight and curved cutting in various positions of metals, simple and medium complexity parts made of carbon and alloy steels, non-ferrous metals and alloys by manual marking on portable, stationary and plasma cutting machines in all positions of the weld; — manual oxygen cutting and cutting with gas- and kerosene-cutting devices to specified sizes with the release of waste non-ferrous metals and with the preservation or cutting of components and parts of the machine; — manual arc air planing of simple and medium complexity parts made of various steels, cast iron, non-ferrous metals and alloys in various positions; — surfacing of cavities and cracks in parts, assemblies and castings of medium complexity; — preliminary and accompanying heating when welding parts in compliance with a given regime; — reading drawings of varying complexity of parts, assemblies and structures. 3. Job responsibilities 3.1. To perform the functions assigned to him, an electric gas welder of the 3rd category is required to perform the following types of work: - fusing defects in fittings made of tin bronze and silicon brass under a test pressure of up to 1.6 MPa (15.5 atm); — cutting out manually marking balancers for spring suspension of rolling stock; — welding of beater and cutting drums, front and rear axles of a tractor trailer, drawbars and frames of a combine and header, header augers, rakes and reels; — welding of sidewalls, transition platforms, footboards, frames and skins of railway cars; — welding of road buoys and barrels, artillery shields and pontoons; — welding of defective semi-finished forgings of crankshafts and camshafts of automobiles with special steels; — fusing of shaft journals of electrical machines; — welding of mufflers; — welding of internal combustion engines (fuel and air systems); — fusing of defects in car parts (oil heater necks, gearbox housing, crankcase cover); — manual cutting according to markings of parts made of sheet steel up to 60 mm thick; — welding of freight car body frame parts; — fusing the holes of the rocker mechanism parts; — fusing shells of bronze brake discs; — cutting without bevel of workpieces for manual or automatic electric arc welding; — welding of frames for switchboards and control panels; — welding of track rollers; — welding of assembled casings, heating boilers; — welding of casings of elastic couplings; — welding of truck brake pads, casings, rear axle axles; — welding of structures, assemblies, parts for gun mounts; — welding of electrical explosive equipment housings; — fusing of slopes of lifting cranes; — welding of dump truck bodies; — surfacing of shells in castings of rear axles; — welding of cracks in the car radiator lining; — welding of level regulator floats (fittings); — cutting of profits, sprues for castings of complex configuration with a thickness of over 300 mm; — welding of projectors to the ship’s hull; — surfacing of the frames of the locomotive's drawbar; — welding of frames of profile windows of the driver’s cab; — welding of pantograph frames; — welding of conductors, flooring sheets, parts of diesel locomotive frames; — welding of tanks for non-flammable liquids and brake systems of rolling stock; — welding of shaped cutters and simple dies; — welding of the housing and pressure sleeve of the bulkhead shaft seals; — welding of machine beds of small sizes; — welding of racks, bunker grates, transition platforms, stairs, railings, decking, boiler casing; — soldering of malleable cast iron rear wheel hubs, rear axle and other car parts; — automatic welding on the rack of joints and grooves of sections, deck partitions, partitions; — welding of non-pressure pipelines for water (except main ones); — welding in workshop conditions of pipelines of external and internal water supply and heating networks; — welding of ventilation pipes; — welding of gas exhaust copper pipes; — welding of chimney pipes up to 30 m high and ventilation pipes made of carbon steel sheets; — welding of connected smoke pipes in boilers and steam superheater pipes; — cutting bevel edges of general purpose pipes; — welding of brake line pipes; — automatic welding of automobile tanks; — fusing of brass (open) gasifier balls; - deposition of gear teeth. 4. Rights 4.1. An electric and gas welder of the 3rd category has the right to: - all social guarantees provided for by law; — demand from the management of the enterprise assistance in the performance of their official duties and the exercise of rights; — demand the creation of conditions for the performance of official duties, including the provision of the necessary equipment and inventory; — get acquainted with the draft decisions of the enterprise management concerning its activities; — submit proposals for improvement of the organization and methods of work performed by the enterprise management for consideration; — request personally or on behalf of the immediate supervisor the documents necessary to perform their official duties; - improve your professional qualifications. 5. Responsibility 5.1. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category is responsible: - for failure to perform or improper performance of his job duties provided for by this job description - within the limits determined by the current labor legislation of the Russian Federation; - for causing material damage - within the limits determined by the current labor and civil legislation of the Russian Federation; - for offenses committed in the course of carrying out their activities - within the limits determined by the current administrative, criminal, civil legislation of the Russian Federation. The job description has been developed in accordance with ____________________. (name, number and date of the document) Head of the structural unit _________________________ (initials, surname) (signature) “__” _____________ 20__ Approved by: Head of the Legal Department _________________________ (initials, surname) (signature) “__” _____________ 20__ With instructions familiarized with: _________________________ (initials, surname) (signature) “__” _____________ 20__

Average salary for a welder

The salary level depends on the rank, length of service, turnover of the enterprise and location of the company. In Moscow, salaries are the highest:

• 3rd category - 35,000-40,000 rubles.
• 4th category - 40,000-50,000 rubles.
• 5th category - 50,000-60,000 rubles.
• 6th category - 60,000-130,000 rubles.

Salaries vary across regions:

• 3rd category - 25,000-35,000 rubles.
• 4th category - 35,000-40,000 rubles.
• 5th category - 40,000-55,000 rubles.
• 6th category - 60,000-70,000 rubles.

It happens that salary depends on the number of hours worked. The rank then affects the hourly rate. In the case of piecework wages, the grade affects the cost of the joint and operation, so welders with a higher level receive more. They are trusted only with critical connections, and the rest are performed by welders with less qualifications.

How to increase the rank of a welder

As the young specialist gains experience, he has the opportunity to increase his level, for example, from 3 to 4. If the enterprise where he is employed has a qualification commission with the appropriate powers, he just needs to submit an application. Once approved, a date will be set for the exam. After passing the test, the applicant is given an official document confirming that the welder’s rank has been increased.

At small enterprises there are no qualification commissions, but management can send an employee to courses or to a training center. This is the best option, since the training is paid for by the company.

If you apply for advanced training yourself, you will have to pay out of your own pocket.

It would be a good idea to find out first what document you can get after training. If this is a certificate of completion of the course, it is better to look for another place of study, since it does not have legal force. A certified training center issues an official certificate of higher qualifications. The document, after being presented to the management of the enterprise, will be the basis for a salary increase.

The popularity of the welding profession among young people is explained by its high demand and salary. Also attractive is the career growth system that is accessible to everyone. A graduate of a technical school or college will not have to look for a job for a long time. Many enterprises hire low-qualified specialists for further training of personnel in the required profile.

What qualities should a welder have?

The specificity of this type of occupation is such that the welder needs to be aware not only of the concept of the operation of professional equipment, safety measures during operation of the welding machine, but also know physics and chemistry at least at the level of school knowledge.

The most important personal characteristics of a welder include accuracy, precision, diligence, and hard work.

At the same time, one should not overlook the fact that the welder works in heavy production, so he needs to carefully monitor his health. For example, it is necessary to regularly check your vision, cardiovascular system, and respiratory organs.

And according to the safety precautions of any heavy production, people with unstable mental health, osteochondrosis, radiculitis and allergies are strictly not allowed to work with a welding machine. Those who have problems with vision, heart and lungs may also be denied employment.

Where can I get training to become a welder?

You can become a certified specialist after the 9th or 11th grade of school. Training to become a welder is carried out in almost all vocational schools and colleges in the country. Also, those who want to master this profession can enter a higher educational institution. Studying at a university provides the student with the opportunity to later begin a career as a personnel manager or start their own business.

At the same time, in all educational institutions there is an annual shortage of budget places in this area, which indicates a clear shortage of qualified workers.

Also, a future welder can undergo training through courses. In a short period of time, which in most cases does not exceed three months, you can master a profession and become a specialist in this field. Some organizations offer to become a specialist remotely in an even shorter period of time.

The final stage of the training is obtaining a welder’s certificate of the established type, which allows you to perform welding work. But in order to perform complex welding work on large projects, obtaining NAKS certification is required.

NAKS is the National Welding Control Agency. An employee who has received a document from this organization is considered the most qualified specialist in this field.

Personal qualities of the gas welder profession

To perform the job, a specialist must have the following character traits: responsibility, attention to detail, accuracy, diligence, patience, hard work, perseverance in achieving the desired result.

In addition, persons with allergies, bad habits, poor stamina, and poor eyesight cannot be allowed to work. An employer may refuse to work for those who have problems with the heart and lungs, unstable psyche, osteochondrosis, or radiculitis.

Since a gas welder works in heavy production, he must monitor his health and undergo medical examinations.

Pros and cons of the profession

The positive side is the constant demand for specialists in the labor market and high pay. But, like every profession, there are also negative aspects:

• welders often have to work in difficult, bordering on extreme, conditions;
• protective masks and special glasses cannot completely eliminate the negative effects of infrared and ultraviolet rays on the eyes;
• During welding of metals, harmful gases are released, which enter the human lungs and, over time, cause occupational diseases.

Every year, protective equipment and working conditions for welders are improved. Therefore, the popularity of the profession is only growing. Business owners and plant managers implement various incentive systems for welders to motivate them to work in their organization. On-the-job training is provided to “grow” your workforce. Due to objective circumstances, the welding profession remains quite popular among young people.

Advantages and disadvantages of the profession

Benefits of work

Disadvantages of the job

Among the advantages of working as a welder:

The specialty also has disadvantages:

• regularly have to breathe smoke and vapors of molten metal;
• vision is heavily strained;
• in the heat you have to work in a thick protective suit, which makes it even harder to endure such conditions;
• There is a danger of electric shock.

Advanced training procedure

To increase the rank, an application is submitted to the certification commission working at the enterprise. In other cases, you should contact the training center. The decision to upgrade qualifications is made after passing the exam.

Confirmation is a hand-issued certificate, on the basis of which the salary will be paid in an increased amount.

Welding is a profession that requires full dedication from the worker.

Compliance with the grade standards described above is mandatory for each employee. A master who has mastered them increases his professional level and strives to obtain the sixth rank.

Responsibilities of a welder

When starting work in production, a specialist gets acquainted with the job description, which outlines the range of his immediate responsibilities. During work, the welder must:

• produce quality products;
• observe the welding regime;
• plan deadlines, expenses, volumes;
• order the required materials;
• maintain reporting documentation;
• comply with safety and labor protection standards;
• increase productivity (if possible);
• improve and modernize existing technologies.

IV. Responsibility

The gas welder is responsible:

1. For improper performance or failure to fulfill one’s job duties provided for in this job description - within the limits determined by the current labor legislation of the Russian Federation.

2. For offenses committed in the course of carrying out their activities - within the limits determined by the current administrative, criminal and civil legislation of the Russian Federation.

3. For causing material damage - within the limits determined by the current labor and civil legislation of the Russian Federation.

4. ____________________________________________________________________

This job description has been developed in accordance with the provisions (requirements) of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation dated December 30, 2001 No. 197 FZ (Labor Code of the Russian Federation) (with amendments and additions), the professional standard “Welder” approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation from November 28, 2013 No. 701n (as amended by order of the Ministry of Labor of Russia dated December 12, 2016 No. 727n) and other legal acts governing labor relations.

Classification Features

Not every welder is allowed to perform all the work. So, if you want to participate in the assembly of complex structures, then you need to pass the appropriate certification. This process is carried out entirely by the National Welding Control Agency (or NAKS). It is this agency that can assign the employee the qualifications necessary to perform work of high complexity and functions associated with a high level of responsibility.

A welder can have 4 skill levels;

• level No. 1 – welder who can participate in the assembly of structures;
• level No. 2 – master welder, who performs control functions and a number of other management tasks (for example, issue instructions for work);
• level No. 3 – technologist who monitors welding work within the enterprise;
• level No. 4 – engineer who approves the documentation.

In addition to the fact that NAKS is involved in testing the knowledge and skills of workers, the agency also pays great attention to the equipment with which welding is carried out.

In order to prove the level of their qualifications, welders undergo several stages of certification - primary, repeated and extraordinary.

I. General provisions

1. A person who has professional training under vocational training programs, retraining programs for worker professions and office positions, in an area corresponding to the focus (profile) of welding production, is appointed to the position of welder.

2. No practical experience is required. Carrying out work under the supervision of an employee of a higher qualification level.

3. Additional requirements:

— undergoing mandatory (upon employment) and periodic medical examinations (examinations), as well as extraordinary medical examinations (examinations) in the manner established by the legislation of the Russian Federation;

— completion of training and testing of knowledge of the norms and rules of work in electrical installations as electrical engineering personnel in the scope of group II on electrical safety or higher;

— undergoing training and testing knowledge of the rules for the safe operation of cylinders;

— training in fire safety measures, including undergoing fire safety training and fire-technical minimum according to the relevant program;

— completion of training on labor protection and testing of knowledge of labor protection requirements in the prescribed manner.

4. Appointment to the position of welder, as well as dismissal from it, is made by order of the head of the organization.

5. The welder must know:

5.1. Main types, structural elements, dimensions of welded joints and their designation in the drawings

5.2. Rules for preparing edges of products for welding

5.3. Main groups and brands of materials to be welded

5.4. Welding (surfacing) materials

5.5. Construction of welding and auxiliary equipment, purpose and operating conditions of instrumentation, rules of their operation and scope of application

5.6. Rules for assembling structural elements for welding

5.7. Types and purpose of assembly, technological devices and equipment

5.8. Methods for eliminating weld defects

5.9. Rules for the technical operation of electrical installations

5.10. Fire safety standards and rules for welding work

5.11. Labor protection rules, including in the workplace

5.12. ___________________________________________________________________________

6. The welder reports directly to ____________.

7. During the welder’s absence (vacation, illness, etc.), his duties are performed by a person appointed in the prescribed manner. This person acquires the corresponding rights and is responsible for their proper execution.

8. ________________________________________________________________

Qualification categories

Assigning a rank to a welder is an important event. The existing rank indicates the qualifications of a specialist, his professional skills, knowledge and skills. The higher the rank, the more complex work the welder can perform.

Let's look at a detailed description of each category.

• 1. This category is assigned not to professional workers, but to pupils and students (for example, those who receive appropriate education in technical schools and colleges). If a welder has the 1st category, then he can perform only the simplest work.
• 2. After completing specialized education and receiving a welding diploma, the young man receives the 2nd category. At this stage of his professional development, a specialist can perform welding work in a lower and vertical position.
• 3. Graduates of educational institutions who have demonstrated special abilities are assigned the 3rd category, which indicates that the specialist can perform not only vertical and horizontal welding work, but also work on corner joints. In addition, a 3rd category welder must have the skills to create sealed seams on pipes. Increased demands are also placed on theoretical knowledge - for example, a welder must understand the structure and operating principle of equipment, be able to read drawings and reproduce products based on them.
• 4. A welder of this category works with parts of medium complexity; he must be able to cut shaped elements from sheets. One of the key skills at this stage of professional development is the ability to perform plasma welding. In addition, the worker must be able to make high-quality sealed seams in all positions (except for the ceiling).
• 5. This category is assigned to specialists with extensive experience and honed professional skills. So, a welder of this category must be able to carry out welding work in all positions, he must have the skill of creating high-quality sealed joints. In addition, materials of any thickness and composition (metals and their alloys) must be available to him.
• 6. The rank is considered the highest. This is the highest qualification a welder can achieve during their career. The specialist must have all the possible skills described above. In addition, he must be able to work with various experimental compounds.

The increase in rank occurs gradually as appropriate experience is gained, as well as professional skills and abilities are improved. Welders of the highest ranks can apply for management positions.

Job description of electric and gas welder of the 3rd category

Job description of electric and gas welder of the 3rd category Compiled in _____ copies. I approve ________________________________ (initials, surname) _________________________________ ________________________________ _________________________________ ________________________________ _________________________________ ________________________________ (name of the employer, (manager or other person, his organizational and legal authority authorized to approve the form, address, telephone number, job description address) email, OGRN, INN/KPP) "__ »___________ ____ N _____ «__»___________ ____ JOB DESCRIPTION for an electric and gas welder of the 3rd category 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 1.1. This job description defines the functional responsibilities, rights and responsibilities of a 3rd category electric and gas welder. 1.2. A person with special professional education is appointed to the position of electric and gas welder of the 3rd category, without presenting any experience requirements. 1.3. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category is appointed and dismissed by order of the head of the enterprise. 1.4. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category reports directly to _______________. 1.5. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category must know: - the design of serviced electric welding and plasma cutting machines, gas welding equipment, automatic, semi-automatic and plasma torches; — requirements for the weld seam and surfaces after air planing; — methods for selecting electrode grades depending on steel grades; - properties and importance of electrode coatings; weld structure; — methods of testing them and types of control; — rules for preparing parts and assemblies for welding and welding; — rules for selecting a metal heating mode depending on the grade of metal and its thickness; — causes of internal stresses and deformations in welded products and measures to prevent them; — basic technological techniques for welding and surfacing parts made of various steels, cast iron, non-ferrous metals and alloys; — cutting mode and gas consumption for oxygen and gas-electric cutting. 1.6. In his activities, an electric and gas welder of the 3rd category is guided by: - ​​regulations and methodological materials on the work performed; — internal labor regulations; — orders and instructions from the head of the Organization and the immediate supervisor; — this job description; — rules on labor protection, industrial sanitation and fire protection. 2. FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 2.1. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category carries out: 2.1.1. Manual arc, plasma, gas welding, automatic and semi-automatic welding of simple parts, assemblies and structures made of structural steels, non-ferrous metals and alloys and medium complexity parts, assemblies, structures and pipelines made of carbon steel in all weld positions, except for the ceiling. 2.1.2. Oxygen plasma straight and curved cutting in various positions of metals, simple and medium complexity parts made of carbon and alloy steels, non-ferrous metals and alloys by manual marking on portable, stationary and plasma cutting machines in all positions of the weld. 2.1.3. Manual oxygen cutting and cutting with petrol and kerosene cutting devices to specified sizes, releasing non-ferrous metal waste and preserving or cutting out components and parts of the machine. 2.1.4. Manual arc air planing of simple and medium complexity parts from various steels, cast iron, non-ferrous metals and alloys in various positions. 2.1.5. Surfacing of cavities and cracks in parts, assemblies and castings of medium complexity. 2.1.6. Preliminary and accompanying heating when welding parts in compliance with a given regime. 2.1.7. Reading drawings of varying complexity of parts, assemblies and structures. 2.1.8. __________________________. 2.2. Examples of work 2.2.1. Fittings made of tin bronze and silicon brass under test pressure up to 1.6 MPa (15.5 atm.) - fusing of defects. 2.2.2. Beater and cutting drums, front and rear axles of a tractor trailer, drawbars and frames of a combine and header, augers of a header, rake and reel - welding. 2.2.3. Sidewalls, transition platforms, footboards, frames and skins of railway cars - welding. 2.2.4. Balancers for spring suspension of rolling stock - cutting according to the markings manually. 2.2.5. Raid buoys and barrels, artillery shields and pontoons - welding. 2.2.6. Engine crankshafts and car cam shafts - welding of defective semi-finished forgings with special steels. 2.2.7. Shafts of electric machines - welding of journals. 2.2.8. Mufflers - welding. 2.2.9. Internal combustion engines (fuel and air systems) - welding. 2.2.10. Car parts (oil heater neck, gearbox crankcase, crankcase cover) - fusing of defects. 2.2.11. Parts made of sheet steel up to 60 mm thick are cut by hand according to markings. 2.2.12. Freight car body frame parts - welding. 2.2.13. Details of the rocker mechanism - fusing of holes. 2.2.14. Bronze brake discs - fused shells. 2.2.15. Workpieces for manual or automatic electric arc welding - cutting without bevel. 2.2.16. Frames for switchboards and control panels - welding. 2.2.17. Support rollers - welding. 2.2.18. Assembled casings, heating boilers - welding. 2.2.19. Casings of elastic couplings - welding. 2.2.20. Truck brake pads, casings, rear axle axle shafts are welded. 2.2.21. Structures, components, parts for gun mounts - welding. 2.2.22. Housings of electrical explosive equipment - welding. 2.2.23. Lifting cranes - fusing of slopes. 2.2.24. Dump truck bodies - welding. 2.2.25. Rear axles of cars - surfacing of shells in castings. 2.2.26. Car radiator lining - welding cracks. 2.2.27. Level regulator floats (fittings) - welding. 2.2.28. Projectors are welded to the ship's hull. 2.2.29. Profits, sprues for castings of complex configuration with a thickness of over 300 mm - cutting. 2.2.30. The frames of the locomotive's drawbars are welded on. 2.2.31. Driver's cab profile window frames - welding. 2.2.32. Pantograph frames - welding. 2.2.33. Diesel locomotive frames - welding of conductors, flooring sheets, parts. 2.2.34. Tanks for non-flammable liquids and brake systems of rolling stock - welding. 2.2.35. Shaped cutters and simple dies - welding. 2.2.36. Bulkhead shaft seals - welding of the housing and pressure sleeve. 2.2.37. Small machine beds - welding. 2.2.38. Racks, bunker grates, transition platforms, stairs, railings, decking, boiler casing - welding. 2.2.39. Rear wheel hubs, rear axle and other car parts are soldered using ductile iron. 2.2.40. Joints and grooves of sections, deck partitions, partitions - automatic welding on a rack. 2.2.41. Ventilation pipes - welding. 2.2.42. Copper gas exhaust pipes - welding. 2.2.43. Smoke pipes up to 30 m high and ventilation pipes made of carbon steel sheets - welding. 2.2.44. Connected smoke pipes in boilers and steam superheater pipes - welding. 2.2.45. General purpose pipes - bevel cutting. 2.2.46. Brake line pipes - welding. 2.2.47. Non-pressure pipelines for water (except main ones) - welding. 2.2.48. Pipelines of external and internal water supply and heating networks - welding in workshop conditions. 2.2.49. Car tanks - automatic welding. 2.2.50. Gasifier balls are brass (open) - fused. 2.2.51. Gears - welding of teeth. 3. RIGHTS 3.1. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category has the right: 3.1.1. Require the management of the enterprise to provide assistance in the performance of their official duties. 3.1.2. Pass certification in the prescribed manner with the right to receive the appropriate qualification category. 3.1.3. Improve your skills. 3.1.4. Get acquainted with the draft decisions of the enterprise management concerning its activities. 3.1.5. Submit proposals on issues related to your activities for consideration by your immediate supervisor. 3.1.6. Receive from enterprise employees the information necessary to carry out their activities. 3.1.7. __________________________. 4. RESPONSIBILITY 4.1. An electric gas welder of the 3rd category is responsible for: 4.1.1. For failure to perform or improper performance of their duties provided for in this job description - in accordance with current labor legislation. 4.1.2. For offenses committed during the period of its activities - in accordance with current civil, administrative and criminal legislation. 4.1.3. For causing material damage - in accordance with current legislation. 4.1.4. For violation of internal labor regulations, fire safety and safety regulations established at the enterprise. 4.1.5. __________________________. 5. OPERATING MODE 5.1. The operating mode of a 3rd category electric gas welder is determined in accordance with the internal labor regulations established at the enterprise. 5.2. In accordance with _______________, the employer evaluates the performance of a 3rd category electric and gas welder. The set of measures for assessing effectiveness was approved by __________ and includes: - _______________________________; — _______________________________; — _______________________________. The job description was developed on the basis of _______________________ __________________________________________________________________________. (name, number and date of the document) Head of the structural unit _____________________________ _____________________ (initials, surname) (signature) “__”___________ ____ city Agreed by: legal service _____________________________ _____________________ (initials, surname) (signature) “__”___________ ____ city C read the instructions: (or: received the instructions) _____________________________ _____________________ (initials, surname) (signature) “__”___________ ____ g.

How to get a rank

To obtain a qualification document you must submit:

• for short-term courses;
• in a vocational school;
• to technical school;
• to college.

After completing the courses, you can obtain a qualification by passing the NAKS exam. When entering other educational institutions, the first rank is assigned at the beginning of training. The person who received it knows how to cut and weld simple workpieces. Together with the issuance of documents on graduation from vocational school, the graduate is assigned a second category.

The third is given if the student has the skills:

• welding vertical and horizontal seams;
• sealing of pipelines;
• knowledge of the operating principle and design of equipment;
• safety precautions;
• reading drawings.

The rest are assigned after mastering production skills and experience during the annual passing of qualifying exams. To do this, you need to improve your skills every day.

In 1-2 years you can reach the fourth category. Upon certification, the best applicants gain access to work in the gas and oil industry, where salaries are higher than in other enterprises.

Accelerated courses for welders 1-6 categories

Completing accelerated courses allows a person to master a profession in a short time. After graduation, he is assigned the first rank, with the possibility of promotion in the production process. The specialty has a gradation of 6 categories; you can receive the rank of welder with a certificate certified by an inspector of Rostechnadzor, one by one.

• 1st category - a specialist works with plastic products, performs simple welding work on parts and bags.
• 2nd category - the worker reads diagrams and has plasma and arc welding skills.
• 3rd category - a person performs all types of tasks, the emphasis is on manual and arc welding.
• 4th category - in addition to arc and manual welding, oxygen cutting of parts of increased complexity is performed.
• 5th category - welding work is carried out on parts and vacuum units.
• 6th category - the welder performs all work without exception, being considered a general specialist.

In short-term welding courses, it is possible to gain basic knowledge to start in the profession and improve your level. Mastering a sought-after specialty allows you to take the desired position, receive a competitive salary, and build a career.

The welding profession is divided into several subtypes, these include: gas welders and electric welders, thermite welding and manual welding, welders involved in the field of electron beam welding installations and welders of diffuse welding type installations, as well as welders working on press welding equipment.

A welder's certificate is required regardless of the chosen profession. The activity requires compliance with proper safety regulations, which applies to the processes of welding pipelines and containers, assemblies and structures, various types of products and parts. Also, this is determined by their type, purpose and level of complexity. Each welder must have an appropriate level of professional knowledge related to the scope of qualification training in combination with theory and practice. This confirms not only the presence of specific skills, but also the corresponding welder’s certificate.

Categories of welders

They depend on the ability to use one or another welding technology.

• Welders who work on resistance spot welding equipment. There are no electrodes, and the process itself is quite simple.
• Workers who can work on diffusion-welding type installations. These are operations with a piece connection, which allows you to increase the characteristics of the weld.
• Ability to work on electron beam installations. Welding is carried out in a vacuum; workpieces made of special alloys are usually joined using this technology. Such an employee must know a lot; he usually has the highest qualifications.
• A welder who can perform thermite welding. The process itself is carried out on special presses, the welding molds of which are heated, and therefore the parts being joined are heated.
• Gas welding. Such a worker is called a gas welder. By the way, he can also cut metals using a gas cutter.
• And the last category is electric welder. The most popular profession in the welding category.

So, we’ve sorted out the categories, we can move on to the categories.

Advanced training for electric and gas welders

Periodic training of an electric gas welder and his constant practice is one of the most necessary things to improve his rank and increase his salary. Welding advanced training courses are designed for just such opportunities.

One of the most popular specialties is the specialty of a welder. Universal welders are needed in industry, in enterprises, in any production. A welder is especially needed in construction and the automotive industry.

Advanced training courses for welders allow you to significantly improve professional skills and use new technological approaches in the welding industry from your own experience. After completing the courses, professional performance improves and the potential for rising through the ranks appears.

Increasing the welder's rank

Every year, an increasing number of not only young welders are studying courses to improve their skills, but also seasoned professionals are coming to courses to raise their level.

Courses to improve the qualifications of electric and gas welders are formed in many training centers, schools and technical schools, where welding masters give candidates knowledge and share experience in working with welding equipment. During the training period, trainees use the latest welding machines.

Courses that improve the grade of a welder consist of two stages. The first stage, theoretical, studies the characteristics and parameters of welding equipment. Safety precautions, work techniques, working documentation, and so on are also studied. The second stage, practical, consists of “cementing” knowledge in practice.

The courses themselves can still be divided into a basic system, which trains welders up to the 4th category, and a specialized one, which allows increasing the categories from 4th to 6th. Each system has its own approach to presenting knowledge and its own cost.

Advanced training course program for welders

The training program includes the following knowledge and practices:

• familiarization with the equipment;
• study of welding processes;
• setting up equipment and welding mode;
• correct selection of welding material for specific purposes;
• learn the skills of making various seams and acquire the ability to weld metal in different positions;
• critical approach to the quality of work performed;
• techniques for safe use of a welding machine;

The knowledge that is acquired in the course of training is necessary to improve the qualifications of a welder: the ability to read drawings, properly handle welding equipment, the ability to use different modes and welding methods, and so on.

Where to increase the rank of a welder?

Establishments specializing in improving the qualifications of electric and gas welders require different payments for their services. The price depends on the method of presenting knowledge, the quality of the material taught, the use of the latest technology, etc. The average price of training starts from 13 thousand rubles and up to 30 thousand rubles or more.

When choosing such courses, pay attention to the recommendations of people who have completed these courses. You also need to find out about the qualifications of teachers. Upon successful completion of training, a certified welder certificate is issued.

Some may ask: “Why waste time and money, and often nerves, on advanced training?” The answer is quite simple and lies in the welder’s desire not only to improve the quality of his work, but also to start earning a higher salary, because his income depends on the welder’s qualifications and category.

Categories of welders - by method

Categories of welders are assigned after completing appropriate training and obtaining qualifications. That is, this gradation criterion determines what technology a specialist can use in the manufacture of specific products. Electric and gas welders receive a new category, regardless of experience and age.

To do this, specialists undergo training at a retraining center or other similar institutions.

NAKS monitors the determination of category (level) and qualifications. Also, this organization constantly monitors the equipment used and the working conditions (nature) of electric and gas welders.

contact welding

Contact welding is considered one of the simplest methods of metal structures. In this case, the seam can be obtained by exposing the material to a high voltage electric current.

Provided the technology is followed, durable structures can be welded using this method. To obtain high-quality seams, a special pressing machine is often used. The latter, due to high pressure, also heats the material, thereby creating a strong connection.

There are minimum requirements for specialists authorized to use this technology. The welding process is fully automated. Therefore, operators are only required to comply with labor safety standards and follow the technical map according to which a specific product is manufactured.

Diffusion welding

Having acquired the skills to use this technology, specialists can weld metal structures of increased strength. Nitrogen is used to strengthen the seam during operation.

Specialists working using diffusion welding technology produce products according to piece orders. That is, this method is not used in mass production. To connect the parts, the latter are placed in honeycomb furnaces.

Induction

Induction welding is a type of thermite welding in which the workpiece is heated using magnetic induction to produce a weld. This technology has a number of advantages:

• welding speed does not depend on the thickness of the metal;
• suitable for various types of metals;
• welding takes a few seconds;
• economical consumption.

This technology is mainly used to connect steel pipes. Welding is carried out in a special installation in which the workpiece is placed.

Useful article - How to properly prepare welding documentation and submit work on time

Electron beam

For this type of welding, a vacuum chamber is used. The procedure is carried out under the control of automatic systems. This technology is used both for the manufacture of piece products and in mass production.

The vacuum chamber can be configured depending on the tasks facing the operator. In particular, this device is used for welding jewelry and thin-walled workpieces.

This camera requires special knowledge on the part of the operator. Therefore, specialists with the highest rank can work with electron beam welding.

Cold

Cold welding refers to a process during which workpieces are joined without exposure to temperature. This happens due to the filling of the voids with a special plastic mass that connects the individual components.

Electroslag

This type of welding is classified as arcless. The seam is obtained by heating individual workpieces with the heat of a slag bath into which an electric current is supplied. This process helps prevent the formation of cracks in the metal after it cools.

The following types of electrodes are used in electroslag welding:

• wire;
• lamellar;
• melting mouthpiece.

This technology is mainly used for connecting thick parts (from 15 to 600 mm). In this regard, to gain access to such work, the welder’s rank must be the highest.

Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic welding does not require a high level from a specialist. This technology has the following advantages:

• you can weld contaminated workpieces;
• there is no overheating of parts;
• can be welded in hard-to-reach places;
• there are no harmful secretions;
• heating the surface takes a fraction of a second.

In this process, the connection is obtained by applying ultrasonic vibrations. The method is used for spot, seam or contour welding.

Friction

This technology is a type of pressure welding. The method involves installing two blanks into a special apparatus that unwinds the parts. As a result, friction causes the metal to heat up. At the end of the process, a forging force is applied to the workpieces, which forms a seam.

Only the highest categories of welders can use this technology, since the procedure requires compliance with many important nuances.

Termite

A welder of the highest category also has access to this technology. According to the technical description, the equipment used for such welding consists of a melting crucible. The latter contains a hole through which thermite metal and special devices are supplied that heat the workpiece to a temperature of 500-900 degrees. Also, the design of this equipment includes presses that tighten the structural parts when the welding technology involves upsetting.

The reasons why welding ranks need to be upgraded to access this technology are as follows:

• the welder must accurately measure the amount of thermite mixture;
• it is important to properly prepare the crucible and other elements;
• It is important to heat the unit correctly.

In addition, once the process is complete, it is important to increase the strength of the joint by proper stripping.

Gas

One of the important skills acquired during training to become a gas welder is the ability to independently cut material. That is, a specialist of this level must not only connect the parts, but also prepare them.

Gas welders are able to create seams of any type and in different positions. Therefore, specialists of the maximum ranks have access to this type of work.

Dugovaya

This technology can be used by electric and gas welders whose category corresponds to the highest level. Such specialists are able to create strong connections using the following welding methods:

• argon-arc (welding with tungsten electrodes);
• plasma;
• semi-automatic/mechanized in gases (inert or active);
• manual.

That is, from the number of categories that exist in the Russian Federation, access to arc welding is obtained only if in-depth and long-term training has been completed, and you also have the appropriate skills to work with other types of technologies. This is explained by the fact that high demands are placed on the seams that are formed during arc welding in terms of their ability to withstand mechanical and vibration loads. And electric and gas welders bear full responsibility for the quality of the connection.

How to increase the rank?

Many welders who are looking to increase their income and also advance their careers want to get a higher rank. Moreover, its assignment is carried out strictly in accordance with the officially accepted procedure. So, to begin with, you must be absolutely sure that you have the necessary amount of professional knowledge, skills, and abilities, since you will have to pass a professional exam. That is why you cannot increase the rank every month. Typically, advanced training occurs once every few years.

The procedure itself may vary depending on where you work. So, large enterprises have special qualification commissions, but small companies do not, so employees of such organizations need to contact a special training center. To improve your qualifications, you need to pass the appropriate exam, after which you will receive a certificate, which you must give to your employer.

Thus, a welder is a profession that requires maximum dedication from a person. The specialist must be responsible and attentive. In addition, to be successful in your career, you must constantly develop and improve yourself, improve your professional skills, and also expand your knowledge.

Sources

• https://kedu.ru/press-center/profgid/svarshchik-vostrebovannaya-no-nepopulyarnaya-professiya/
• https://www.svarbi.ru/articles/razryady-svarshchikov-kategorii-zarplata-plyusy-i-minusy-professii/
• https://svarkaved.ru/o-svarke/skolko-razryadov-sushhestvuet-u-svarshhikov
• https://svarkaprosto.ru/attestatsiya/skolko-razryadov-u-svarshhika
• https://TechnoRama.ru/vidy-stali/razryady-svarshchikov.html
• https://pressadv.ru/stali/razryady-svarshchikov-opisanie.html
• https://vplate.ru/svarshchik/razryady/

III. Rights

The gas welder has the right:

1. Request and receive the necessary information, as well as materials and documents related to issues of their activities.

2. Improve your qualifications, undergo retraining (retraining)

3. Take part in the discussion of issues included in his functional responsibilities.

4. Make suggestions and comments on how to improve activities in the assigned area of ​​work.

5. Require the management of the organization to provide assistance, including ensuring organizational and technical conditions and execution of the established documents necessary for the performance of official duties.

6. Make independent decisions, guided by qualification requirements and job responsibilities

7. ___________________________________________________________