What are they?An Expert Technology Tool (ETT) is a medium for diffusionand take-up of technological information based on globalresearch and development (R&D) and experience toimprove industry performance.

It can be formatted as a hard copy, software (fixed,interactive or modifiable), audiovisual (videos and soundtapes) or physical samples. It can be complemented byface-to-face interaction, on-site and remote assistance,training modules and auditing programs.

The diagram overleaf and the information below show howthe WTIA has introduced a group of ETTs to helpcompanies improve their performance.

ETTs and the SME – how can they help my Total WeldingManagement System?A Total Welding Management System (TWMS) is a majorETT with supporting ETTs created specifically to assistAustralian industry, particularly those Small to MediumEnterprises (SMEs) that do not have the time or finance todevelop an in-house system. These companies, however,are still bound by legal requirements for compliance inmany areas such as OHS&R, either due to governmentregulation or to contract requirements. The TWMSdeveloped by the WTIA can be tailor-made by SMEs to suitany size and scope of operation, and implemented in full orin part as required.

What is Total Welding ManagementTotal Welding Management comprises all of the elementsshown in the left-hand column of the table shown overleaf.Each of these elements needs to be addressed within anycompany, large or small, undertaking welding, whichwishes to operate efficiently and be competitive in theAustralian and overseas markets.

The Total Welding Management System Manual (itself anExpert Technology Tool) created by the WTIA with theassistance of industry and organisations representedwithin a Technology Expert Group, overviews each ofthese elements in the left-hand column. It details how eachelement relates to effective welding management, refers tosupporting welding-related ETTs, or, where the subjectmatter is out of the range of expertise of the authors, refersthe user to external sources such as accounting or legalexpertise.

Knowledge Resource BankThe other columns on the diagram overleaf list theKnowledge Resource Bank and show examples ofsupporting ETTs which may, or may not, be produceddirectly by the WTIA. The aim, however, is to assistcompanies to access this knowledge and to recognisethe role that knowledge plays in a Total WeldingManagement System. These supporting ETTs may takeany form, such as a Management System e.g.Occupational Health, Safety and Rehabilitation(OHS&R), a publication e.g. WTIA Technical Note, avideo or a Standard through to software, a one-pageguidance note or welding procedure.

Clearly, ETTs such as WTIA Technical Notes, variousStandards, software, videos etc are readily available toindustry.

The group of ETTs shown overleaf relate to a generalwelding fabricator/contractor. The ETT group can be tailor-made to suit any specific company or industry sector.

A company specific Knowledge Resource Bank can bemade by the company omitting or replacing any other ETTor Standard.

Total Welding Management for Industry SectorsTotal Welding Management Systems and the associatedKnowledge Resource Bank are being developed forspecific industry sectors, tailored to address the particularissues of that industry and to facilitate access to relevantresources. A company specific Total WeldingManagement System can be made by the companyadding, omitting or replacing any element shown in the lefthand column or ETT or Standard shown in the othercolumns. This approach links in with industry needsalready identified by existing WTIA SMART IndustryGroups in the Pipeline, Petrochemical and PowerGeneration sectors. Members of these groups havealready highlighted the common problem of industryknowledge loss through downsizing, outsourcing andprivatisation and are looking for ways to address thisproblem.

The concept of industry specific Total WeldingManagement Systems and Knowledge Resource Bankswill be extended based on the results of industry needsanalyses being currently conducted. The resources withinthe Bank will be expanded with the help of TechnologyExpert Groups including WTIA Technical Panels.Information needs will be identified for the specific industrysectors, existing resources located either within Australiaor overseas if otherwise unavailable, and if necessary, newresources will be created to satisfy these needs.

How to Access ETTsManagement System ETTs, whether they are the TotalWelding Management Manual (which includes the QualityManual), OHS&R Managers Handbook, Procedures, WorkInstructions, Forms and Records or EnvironmentalImprovement System, can be accessed and implementedin a variety of ways. They can be: Purchased as a publication for use by industry. They

may augment existing manuals, targeting the weldingoperation of the company, or they may beimplemented from scratch by competent personnelemployed by the company;

Accessed as course notes when attending a publicworkshop explaining the ETT;

Accessed as course notes when attending an in-house workshop explaining the ETT;

Purchased within a package which includes trainingand on-site implementation assistance from qualifiedWTIA personnel;

Accessed during face-to-face consultation. Downloaded from the WTIA website www.wtia.com.au

ETTs created by the WTIA are listed in the back of WTIATechnical Notes. Call the WTIA Welding Hotline on 1800620 820 for further information.

Research, Education, Technical Support & InformationABN 69 003 696 526

Unit 3, Suite 2, 9 Parramatta Road, Lidcombe, 2141. PO Box 6165, Silverwater, NSW 1811 AustraliaPhone: (02) 9748 4443 Fax: (02) 9748 2858 E-mail info@wtia.com.au URL http://www.wtia.com.au

for the Welding Industry

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Page 2 Revised on: 08-Jan-03

WTIA TOTAL WELDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMsupported by KNOWLEDGE RESOURCE BANK

TOTAL WELDINGMANAGEMENT SYSTEM

MANUAL

KNOWLEDGE RESOURCE BANKi.e. resources for the Total Welding Management System (Notes 1 and 2)

ETT: MS01

(Including Welding QualityManagement System)

ETTs: MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ETTs: OTHER RESOURCES ETTs: STANDARDS

ELEMENTS:

1. Introduction

2. References

3. Management SystemTN19 Cost Effective Quality Management

AS/NZS ISO 9001AS/NZS ISO 3834

4. Management Responsibilities(incl. Risk Management)

AS 4360

5. Document Control

6. Production Planning

7. Contracts

8. DesignTN6 Control of Lamellar TearingTN8 Economic Design of WeldmentsTN10 Fracture MechanicsTN12 Minimising CorrosionTN13 Stainless Steels for Corrosive EnvironmentsTN14 Design & Construction Steel Bins

AS 4100AS 1210BS 7910

9. Purchasing (incl. Sub-contracting)

10. Production & Service Operations

TN1 Weldability of SteelsTN2 Successful welding of AluminiumTN4 Hardfacing for the Control of WearTN5 Flame Cutting of SteelsTN9 Welding Rates in Arc WeldingTN11 Commentary on AS/NZS 1554TN15 Welding & Fabrication Q&T SteelsTN16 Welding Stainless SteelsTN17 Automation in Arc WeldingTN18 Welding of CastingsTN21 Submerged Arc Welding Videos – Welding Parts A & BPG02 Welding Stainless Steel

AS/NZS 1554

AS 1988

11. Identification and Traceability TN19 Cost Effective Quality Management

12. Welding CoordinationISO 14731

13. Production Personnel

14. Production Equipment

15. Production ProceduresTN1 The Weldability of SteelTN9 Welding Rates in Arc WeldingTN19 Cost Effective Quality Management

16. Welding ConsumablesTN3 Care & Conditioning of Arc Welding Consumables

17. Heat TreatmentAS 4458

18. Inspection and TestingPG01 Weld Defects AS 2812

19. Inspection, Measuring and TestEquipment

20. Non-Conforming Product

21. Corrective ActionTN20 Repair of Steel Pipelines AS 2885

22. Storage, Packing and Delivery

23. Company RecordsTN19 Cost Effective Quality Management

24. Auditing

25. Human Resources

26. Facilities

27. Marketing

28. Finance

29. OHS&RMS02 OHS&R – Managers HandbookMS03 OHS&R – ProceduresMS04 OHS&R – Work InstructionsMS05 OHS&R – Forms & Records

TN7 Health & Safety in WeldingTN22 Welding Electrical SafetyFume Minimisation GuidelinesVideo Fume Assessment

AS 4804

30. EnvironmentMS06 Environmental Improvement MS TN23 Environmental Improvement

Guidelines for WeldingAS/NZS 14001

31. Information Technology

32. Innovation, Research andDevelopment

33. Security

34. Legal

NOTE 1: Examples of ETTs listed are not all-embracing and other ETTs within the globalinformation supply can be added. ETTs can be formatted in a range of media.

NOTE 2: Dates and titles for the ETTs listed can be obtained from WTIA or SAI.