several “fake” welders spotted on the site of the Iter experimental reactor in Cadarache

Falsifications with consequences that are still difficult to measure. Several falsely qualified welders were spotted on the site of the experimental nuclear fusion reactor Iter, in Cadarache (Bouches-du-Rhône), we learned on Wednesday May 31 from the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN). According to a letter dated May 4 and published on its website, ASN was informed as soon as “current March of the detection of falsification of qualifications of welders” within this research site. A blow for the Iter project, which is already facing construction hazards that could cause a delay of several years.

It was the management of Iter itself that informed ASN “the discovery of falsifications in the qualification certificates concerning welders working on the construction site”, ASN told AFP. According to the first elements of this analysis, on Iter, “13 welders had falsified certificates attesting to certain specific qualifications required for these sites”specified the nuclear policeman in France.

Very strong tensions in the welding professions

On his side, “Iter took immediate action not only to remove this particular contractor, but also to disqualify all welds performed by these individuals and to conduct a full assessment of all welding certifications, site-wide”explained to AFP Laban Coblentz, responsible for the communication of the site.

According to ASN, “the risk of irregularity can be aggravated by the current context of very strong tensions in the welding professions, which lead the service provider companies and their employees to face very strong demand, and the principals to seek professionals beyond their usual partners”.