Good day everybody.

In war, being predictable is dangerous; it allows your enemy to plan your defeat.

On the road we have traffic rules that “force” you to behave in a predictable manner. When everyone around you knows what you plan to do, there is less chance of someone crashing into you. Probably the best example here is indicators. You signal your intension to turn or change lanes long before. The drivers around you react accordingly and you are able to perform your manoeuvre without any incidents.

In NDT we have a similar situation. You need to be predictable. I need to know that you will perform the inspection to the procedure. I need to know that you will do as you are told and your report will reflect the true test results.  This seems like a bit of an insult, it is not.

Let me explain why.

When things go wrong, and from time to time they do go terribly wrong, I need to be in a position to defend your actions in a court of law. I need to be able to get into that witness box to defend and explain what you did. I need to convince the court that you performed exactly as the client expected you to perform.

Remember that the client has approved the NDT procedures. The client expects you to perform to those procedures. The client will pay for that service, nothing else. When you are unable to perform the test to the procedure, you need to tell me. I will discuss this with the client. As your NDT Level III, this is what I do.

So, here is the nasty bit.

When you do not perform NDT to the approved procedures, I will not be able to defend you in court, when something has gone wrong. I will not be able to convince the court that you are innocent and should not go to jail. Your actions will effectively remove me as your defence and you will have to defend yourself.

After sentencing the judge and I will go to the pub to discuss your stupidity over a tall, something-nice. The next day we will advertise your position and by the end of the week you will be replaced.

Think people, think.

Published with the kind permission of Hennie de Wet