Non Destructive Tester and Inspection Technician

Job Overview

Job Category

Technicians and Technologists

Sectors

Education

Environment

Outdoors only

About This Career

Adding force to a piece of equipment until it breaks certainly helps you to understand its strength – but it’s impractical and expensive, especially when you’re testing pipelines already buried underground. As a Non-Destructive Tester, you use a variety of tests, tools and techniques to determine the integrity of a material or component without causing damage. Are you curious by nature? Do you like finding creative solutions to problems? If this sounds like you, you may want to learn more about becoming a Non-Destructive Tester.

Non-Destructive Testers and Inspection Technicians conduct tests that provide information about the condition of materials and components (without destroying them) to determine defects and faults, and ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards. They operate radiographic, ultrasonic, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current and similar testing equipment to detect defects. They interact with other related trades and equipment operators. Non-Destructive Testers and Inspection Technicians use advanced sensing and imaging equipment such as X-rays, microscopes, thermometers, oscilloscopes and radiation detectors. They may also use analytical or scientific software.

In this occupation activities may include

Making radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact
Mapping the presence of imperfections within objects using sonic measurements
Conducting tests to ensure quality or detect discontinuities (defects) using ultrasonic, radiographic, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current and other non-destructive testing methods.
Interpreting or evaluating test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures
Documenting non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, processes or results.

Education

This occupation requires completion of two years of an approved post-secondary science or engineering program.

Certifications

Standard and emergency first aid
Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
Asbestos Safety
H2S Alive
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Fall protection
Confined space entry
Respirator fit testing
Pipeline construction safety training

Licensing

Welding inspector certification by the Canadian Welding Bureau is available in three levels and may be required by employers.
Non-destructive testing certification by Natural Resources Canada is available in three levels and is usually required by employers
Boiler and pressure vessel, process pipelines and above-ground storage tank inspector certification is available from the American Petroleum Institute.
Industrial Radiographers using a radioactive isotope must pass an examination to be recognized as a certified exposure device operator by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

You are methodical. You enjoy performing tasks that require precision, analysis and patience. You have excellent hand-eye coordination, and strong communications skills. You keep up to date with changing technology.