The Invisible Inspectors: UIC Code 960 and NDT Personnel Certification

What is UIC Leaflet 960?

UIC Leaflet 960 (often referred to as UIC Code 960) is a specialized regulation titled “Qualification and Certification of Non-Destructive Testing Personnel in Railway Maintenance.” It establishes the mandatory competency framework for technicians and engineers responsible for inspecting safety-critical railway components without causing damage to them.

In the railway industry, failures in axles, wheels, or rails can lead to catastrophic derailments. These components often develop internal cracks or fatigue fractures that are invisible to the naked eye. UIC 960 ensures that the staff performing advanced inspections—using methods like ultrasound or magnetic particles—possess the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and visual acuity to detect these hidden threats before they cause an accident.

Alignment with ISO 9712

UIC 960 is heavily based on the international standard **ISO 9712** (Non-destructive testing – Qualification and certification of NDT personnel) but adapts it specifically for the railway environment. It defines the “Industrial Sector: Railway Maintenance,” requiring candidates to not only know general physics but also understand specific railway defects (e.g., squat defects in rails, thermal cracks in wheels).

Certification Levels (Level 1, 2, 3)

The standard categorizes personnel into three distinct levels of responsibility:

• Level 1 (Operator): Can perform tests according to written instructions and record results, but cannot interpret them or choose the method.
• Level 2 (Inspector): Can interpret test results, sign off on reports, calibrate equipment, and supervise Level 1 staff. This is the standard operational level for railway workshops.
• Level 3 (Expert): Can assume full responsibility for a test facility, establish new procedures, design techniques, and train/examine Level 1 and 2 personnel.

Key NDT Methods Covered

The code applies to various testing disciplines used daily in depots and on track:

Ultrasonic Testing (UT): Essential for finding internal hollows in axles and rails.
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT): Used for detecting surface cracks on ferromagnetic steel parts (bogie frames).
Eddy Current Testing (ET): Often used for checking rails for head checks or rolling stock components for surface flaws.

Comparison: General NDT vs. Railway NDT (UIC 960)