Duc Hoa, Tay Ninh ·
Weld quality is built through preparation, execution, inspection and record keeping. At the World Steel factory, the GIC Vietnam audit team combined document review, shop-floor observation and discussions with personnel to assess welding process control against ISO 3834-2:2021.
On 2 November 2026, GIC Vietnam conducted a welding process certification audit at the factory of World Steel Construction Joint Stock Company in Hai Son Expanded Industrial Park, Duc Hoa Commune, Tay Ninh Province. The audit team was led by Mr. Hoang Viet Anh, with the participation of a technical auditor. The team worked with factory representatives, quality management personnel, welders and welding operators.
The audit scope covered welding activities in the fabrication and erection of pre-engineered steel buildings and steel structures. The assessment focused on how the factory organises, carries out and controls quality within this scope.
Comparing procedures with shop-floor practices
At the workshop, the audit team reviewed the availability of welding procedure specifications (WPS) for personnel to consult during their work. Comparing the documents with actual operations helped the team assess how technical requirements were implemented at production workstations.
Through discussions with welders and operators, the team reviewed the use of work instructions, control of operating conditions and recording of information for quality management. This approach linked technical documentation with shop-floor activities, providing a basis for assessing the implementation of procedures.
Managing consumables, equipment and traceability
In the production area, the team reviewed the management of welding consumables and equipment, including identification, storage, condition monitoring and cross-checking against relevant records. The assessment also covered the management of equipment calibration to support welding process control.
Linking consumable and equipment information with quality records helps the factory maintain traceability when the fabrication process needs to be reviewed. This was one of the areas examined during the on-site audit.
Personnel competence and the organisation of quality control
In addition to shop-floor activities, the team examined how the factory receives contract requirements, plans production, controls subcontractors and manages documents. The audit report noted that these activities were organised systematically, with records supporting monitoring and traceability.
Welding coordination competence was also assessed separately. The team reviewed the allocation of duties and authority, examined competence records and held technical discussions with the chief and deputy welding coordinators. The competence assessment reports concluded that the coordination personnel met the requirements for their assigned duties and scope.
For welders, welding operators and inspection personnel, the team compared competence records with assigned work. Reviewing both coordination personnel and those directly performing the work helped clarify responsibilities at each stage of quality control.
Inspection throughout fabrication
The assessment covered inspection before, during and after welding, from preparation conditions to the implementation of the inspection and test plan. The team reviewed visual inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT) records, controls over outsourced activities, and the handling of repairs and subsequent re-inspection.
Cross-checking records against shop-floor practices helped assess the links between work stages: technical requirements are translated into work instructions, inspection results are recorded, and records are retained to enable traceability when needed.
Audit results and next steps
At the closing meeting, the audit team discussed the results and areas requiring further action with World Steel representatives. The findings and required actions were documented in the audit records for follow-up by the parties involved.
According to the audit report dated 4 November 2026, the team concluded that World Steel met the requirements within the audited scope and recommended granting certification to ISO 3834-2:2021. The records proceed to independent review before GIC Vietnam makes the certification decision.
