Recognise signs of corrosion

Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.

notice signs of metal oxidisation
identify signs of corrosion
notice signs of corrosion
observe signs of corrosion
recognise signs of rusting
recognise signs of metal oxidisation
observe signs of rusting
diagnose signs of corrosion

skill/competence

cross-sector

Recognise signs of corrosion is an essential skill of the following occupations:

Construction scaffolder: Construction scaffolders put up scaffolds and platforms in order to make safe construction work at heights possible.
Boat rigger: Boat riggers use hand and power tools to install motors, gauges, controls and accessories such as batteries, lights, fuel tanks and ignition switches. They also perform pre-delivery inspections.
Meter reader: Meter readers visit residential and business or industrial buildings and facilities in order to note down the readings of the meters which measure gas, water, electricity and other utility uses. They forward the results to the client and to the supplier.
Construction scaffolding supervisor: Construction scaffolding supervisors plan and supervise the transport, assembly, disassembly and maintenance of the structures. They also ensure the safety of the scaffolds, support structures, access ladders and fenders.
Marine surveyor: Marine surveyors inspect vessels intended for operations in maritime or open sea waters. They ensure that vessels and equipment follow the regulations laid down by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). They may also act as third parties for the review of offshore facilities and construction projects.
Sewerage maintenance technician: Sewerage maintenance technicians inspect sewers and pipeline systems. They do this by using moving video cameras, whose recordings tell them whether they need to perform any maintenance and repair on these types of systems.
Corrosion technician: Corrosion technicians monitor the integrity from a pipeline and provide repairs to it if needed. They ensure that the pipelines are properly connected and are in line with the health and safety regulations. Corrosion technicians inspect cathodic protection systems and pipeline connection points for corrosion. They may also assist in the designing of pipelines, analyse soil and write reports on technical issues.
Sheet metal worker: Sheet metal workers in construction use sheet metal to construct roofs, ducts for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, gutters and other metal structures. They read plans and determine the type and amount of materials to be used, then measure, bend, cut, shape, and attach pieces of sheet metal to create the required structure.
Bridge inspector: Bridge inspectors inspect bridge structures for joint break, cracks, rust and other faults. They also carry out or organise the maintenance of the structures.
Welder:
Welders operate welding equipment in order to join metal workpieces together. They can use fusion welding processes based on different techniques and materials. They also perform simple visual inspection of welds.
Aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician: Aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technicians perform overhaul, maintenance and repair work on gas turbine engines. They disassemble, inspect, clean, repair and reassemble the engines using engine-specific tooling.
Structural ironwork supervisor: Structural ironwork supervisors monitor ironworking activities. They assign tasks and take quick decisions to resolve problems.
Concrete finisher: Concrete finishers work with binding agents like cement and concrete. They put up any removable forms and pour concrete into the forms. They then execute one or several actions to finish the concrete: cutting, screeding or levelling, compacting, smoothing, and chamfering to prevent chipping.
Rustproofer: Rustproofers use the proper equipment and machinery to provide metal workpieces with a hard, durable finishing coat, composed of specific chemical formulas, that prevents or delays iron and steel pieces from rusting and protects against corrosion.
Ornamental metal worker: Ornamental metal workers use finishing equipment and machinery to shape and finish fabricated ornamental metal workpieces, often used for the installation process in construction, such as railings, staircases, open steel flooring, fences and gates, and others.
Rail layer: Rail layers construct railway tracks on prepared sites. They monitor equipment that sets railroad sleepers or ties, usually on a layer of crushed stone or ballast. Rail layers then lay the rail tracks on top of the sleepers and attach them to make sure the rails have a constant gauge, or distance to each other. These operations are usually done with a single moving machine, but may be performed manually.
Welding inspector: Welding inspectors examine the connections and bonds between metals. They utilise visual tools and electrical instruments to inspect and ensure the quality and safety of connections. Welding inspectors ensure that all related welding activities, plans and materials follow the appropriate guidelines, in accordance with safety regulations. In addition to working in the field completing their examinations of welding projects, inspectors spend time in an office setting compiling their reports.

Recognise signs of corrosion is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this skill may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Aircraft engine assembler: Aircraft engine assemblers build and install prefabricated parts to form aircraft engines such as lightweight piston engines and gas turbines. They review specifications and technical drawings to determine materials and assembly instructions. They inspect and test the engines and reject malfunctioning components.
Construction painter: Construction painters paint the interior and exterior of buildings and other structures. They may use standard latex based paints or specialised paints for decorative effect or protective properties. Building painters are skilled in using brushes, paint rollers and paint sprayers for different applications.
Ammunition assembler: Ammunition assemblers put together explosives and other ammunition components. They perform this work in mass production in ammunition factories. The production itself focuses on the manufacturing of cartridges or projectiles.
Chemical engineering technician: Chemical engineering technicians transform raw materials in order to develop and test chemical products. They also work on improving chemical plant operations and processes.
Cooper: Coopers build barrels and related products made of segments of wood, like wooden buckets. They shape the wood, fit hoops around them, and shape the barrel to hold the product, which contemporarily is usually premium alcoholic beverages.
Industrial engineer: Industrial engineers design a vast array of production systems aiming to present efficient and effective solutions. They integrate a varied number of variables such as workers, technology, ergonomics, production flows, and product specifications for the design and implementation of production systems. They can specify and design for microsystems as well.
Construction commercial diver: Commercial divers work below the surface of the water to install equipment, such as hydraulic structures, waterways and marine facilities. They also inspect, remove and repair the structures.
Structural ironworker: Structural ironworker in construction install iron elements into structures. They erect steel frameworks for buildings, bridges and other construction projects. They set metal rods, or rebar, to form reinforced concrete.
Construction painting supervisor: Construction painting supervisors plan, direct and oversee the work of the crew of painters assigned to a certain project or location. They supervise and evaluate the work of painters.
Motorcycle assembler: Motorcycle assemblers fasten motorcycle parts and components together such as frames, wheels, engines etc. To do so, they use hand tools, power tools and other equipment such as CNC machines or robots. They read technical plans and use automated assembling equipment to build motorcycles. They inspect individual parts for malfunctions and check the quality of assemblies to make sure the standards are met and the specifications respected.
Vessel engine assembler: Vessel engine assemblers build and install prefabricated parts to form engines used for all types of vessels such as electric motors, nuclear reactors, gas turbine engines, outboard motors, two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engines and, in some cases, marine steam engines. They review specifications and technical drawings to determine materials and assembly instructions. They inspect and test the engines and reject malfunctioning components.
Transport equipment painter: Transport equipment painters use painting machines and hand tools to coat individual parts and to paint the surface of all types of transport equipment such as cars, buses, boats, aircraft, motorcycles and railway cars. They prepare the surface of the pieces for the paint and apply the coaat. Transport equipment painters can perform industrial painting or individual customisation. They may also remove or repair painting errors such as scratches.
 
Industrial machinery assembler: Industrial machinery assemblers manufacture industrial equipment such as industrial robots, assembly line machines, and labeling machines. They use hand tools and computer-controlled machines.
Metal product quality control inspector: Metal product quality control inspectors perform preventive and operational quality control on the metal products. They examine the materials at various stages to make sure it conforms to the desired standard, test the products, and send them back for repair if necessary.
Motor vehicle engine assembler: Motor vehicle engine assemblers build and install prefabricated parts to form motor vehicle engines such as diesel, gas, petrol and electric engines. They review specifications and technical drawings to determine materials and assembly instructions. They inspect and test the engines and reject malfunctioning components.
Surface engineer: Surface engineers research and develop technologies for manufacturing processes that assist in altering the properties of the surface of bulk material, such as metal, in order to reduce degradation by corrosion or wear. They explore and design how to protect surfaces of (metal) workpieces and products utilising sustainable materials and testing with a minimum of waste.
Bicycle assembler: Bicycle assemblers build, tune and ensure good working order of all types of bicycles such as mountain bikes, road bikes, children’s bikes etc. They also assemble accessory products like tag-alongs and trailers.
Underwater construction supervisor: Underwater construction supervisors monitor underwater construction projects such as tunnels, canal locks and bridge pillars. They guide and instruct construction commercial divers and make sure they adhere to safety regulations.
Chemical processing supervisor: Chemical processing supervisors coordinate the activities and the staff involved in the chemical production process, ensuring the production goals and deadlines are met. They control quality and optimize chemicals processing by ensuring defined tests, analysis and quality control procedures are performed.
Blacksmith: Blacksmiths heat metal, usually steel, in a forge and shape it with a hammer, chisel, and an anvil. Contemporarily, they predominantly create artisanal metal products, including ornamental work, as well as horse shoes, one of the sole metal fabricating processes that has not been industrialised.

References

1. Recognise signs of corrosion – ESCO