The BCA operates a Common Welder Program for boilermakers who are members of IBB Local Lodges 128 and 555 located in Ontario. The Ontario Common Welder Program was established in 1997 by the BCA and IBB Local Lodge 128 in order to develop and implement a program that reduces the number of times a welder has to test for the same welding process annually. Member contractors of the BCA of Ontario who participate in the Common Welder Program will attain cost-savings, as welders tested under the BCACWQ do not need to be tested every time they weld in the same process for a different BCA member contractor.

Welders tested under the Common Welder Program carry a current BCACWQ issued ticket to signify their completion of the testing.

The program is not intended to relieve the Contractor of the responsibility of testing welders for ASME code stamped work.

The BCA has worked in conjunction with the IBB Local 128 to determine the tests currently offered through the Common Welder Program: F3, F4, F6, GTAW/SMAW.

Only welding procedures registered and approved by the Technical Standards & Safety Authority are offered.

Participation Eligibility

The following are required in order to be eligible to participate in the Common Welder Program:

• Contractors must be members of the Boilermaker Contractors’ Association of Ontario (Click here for membership information.)
• Member contractors must complete a Participant Declaration Form and send it to the BCA Head Office in order to qualify for participation in the Program

Benefits of the Common Welder Program

• Participating member contractors may accept welders carrying a current BCACWQ issued ticket WITHOUT retesting
• Testing is available at four IBB Local 128 locations across Ontario and is to be completed on an annual basis for all IBB welders
• BCACWQ testing standards meet/exceed provincial testing standards
• Zero added cost to participating member contractors as funding is provided through the terms of the Collective Agreement
• Out-of-province IBB welders working in Ontario are eligible to be tested at no further cost to their contractor, if tested through the local hall.

There are four testing sites located in the province. To obtain further information about testing procedures or to schedule testing contact:

Burlington area: Trevor Potts (tpotts@ibblocal128.org)

Sarnia area:  Dave Mainland (dmainland@ibblocal128.org)

Sudbury area: Nicole Lavoie (nlavoie@ibblocal128.org)

Thunder Bay area: Spencer Jaklitch (sjaklitch@ibblocal128.org)

In no way whatsoever does it relieve the Contractor participating in this program from any responsibility imposed upon the Contractor upon The Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act R.S.O. 1970, c.47, and any Amendments and Regulations passed pursuant thereto.

You are not qualified to use a “BCACWQ” tested welder unless you have forwarded to the Boilermaker Contractors’ Association a completed and signed Boilermaker Contractors’ Association of Ontario Participant Declaration Form. Your company name will then be added to the list of qualified Contractors authorized to use “BCACWQ” tested welders.

You are responsible to ensure that the owner accepts “BCACWQ” tested welders prior to the commencement of the first weld.

You are responsible to ensure that the welding inspector for the area you are working in is notified of your intentions to use “BCACWQ” tested welders.

You are responsible to ensure that the welder has proper certification prior to the commencement of his first weld and that the welding process being used by the welder is within the essential variable to which the welder was tested under the “BCACWQ” program.

You are reponsible to ensure that the “BCACWQ” tested welder is aware of all weld procedure requirements.

You are responsible to ensure that any welder working on your site is retested if his ticket expires before the completion of his dispatched assignment.

You are responsible in ensuring that all of your field personnel are aware of the “BCACWQ” welding ticket being used.

You are responsible to ensure that all of your personnel are aware of the contractor responsibilities and have the required welding procedure documentation.

You may retest a welder at your cost at any time.

Please click the link below to access the Participant Declaration Form in PDF format.

Common Welder Program (Ontario) – Participant Declaration Form (PDF)