Determine the correct verification path when a customer asks a fab shop to prove its welders' qualifications are traceable to specific WPS/PQR records rather than just holding generic certifications

Steps

1. Confirm the shop maintains a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) supported by a Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) for each combination of process, material, and joint design used in production
2. Confirm each welder has a Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ) record tied to a specific WPS (not a generic 'certified welder' claim disconnected from any WPS), documenting the essential variables (process, position, material thickness range, filler metal) the welder actually tested on
3. Check that the shop's quality system (or ASME/NBIC-required quality manual, if applicable) defines how WPS/PQR/WPQ records are retained, revised, and cross-referenced to job traveler/router documentation for the specific job in question
4. If the shop uses a WPS/PQR management software platform, confirm records can be exported or cross-referenced by job number for the specific customer audit, rather than only living in disconnected paper files
5. Escalate to the shop's certified welding inspector (or third-party CWI) to sign off on traceability completeness before representing the records as audit-ready to the customer