It is therefore essential to ensure that the construction site QA/QC function is independent of the local site
management organisation in quality and technical matters. It is also equally important to recognise that the
level of technical supervision on a construction site, which operates through a system of discipline or area
engineers in addition to QC inspectors, may be more intense than on the shop floor, and that some of the
control systems which operate satisfactorily against a relatively comfortable background of that environment
may not be necessary and could even be detrimental to both progress and quality on site. This is not to say
that essential contols should be relaxed on site. On the contrary, there may even be a case for increased
caution in an exposed or dirty site environment but, essentially, basic principles of technical control in
welding should be the same on site as in the shop.