Mid Green occupation

Engineering and manufacturing

Gas network craftsperson - Network Pipelines Maintenance Craftsperson

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Building, maintaining and repairing parts for the country's gas network, to provide a reliable supply of gas to domestic, commercial and industrial users.

Summary

The United Kingdom’s gas network consists of approximately 286,000 kilometres (175,00 miles) of pipeline that supplies natural gas from on shore terminals through to 21.5 million gas users. Natural gas is a hazardous substance. The safe operation, control and maintenance of the gas network is essential to avert major loss or interruption to supplies, this includes responding to and managing gas emergency situations to ensure potential safety issues are controlled and remediated without delay. This is the basis of the Gas Network Craftsperson’s occupation. Gas Network Craftsperson’s are employed by organisations authorised to transport gas throughout the United Kingdom. These organisations vary from very large companies who own and operate networks that supply towns and cities across a wide geographical area, through to small companies who own independent networks that supply small housing developments with as few as 3 or 4 properties. They could be directly employed by the organisation that owns and/or manages the gas network or by an organisation that contracts their services to the networks. They work as part of a larger team, which may include planners, designers, supervisors and managers. They are often deployed to site in pairs or alone, dependent on the activity being undertaken. Good communication skills are essential as the may have to interact with the general public, agencies and emergency services on safety related matters and also provide technical advice to other stakeholders. The projects worked on could have values in excess of £250,000.

Typical job titles include

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1:

Company testing and commissioning procedures needed to establish the condition of gas assets, equipment, network infrastructure and the actions needed as a result of the tests. This includes both practical applications and the use of diagnostic techniques and IT systems

K2:

The requirements of the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations as relevant to their role, this being supported through company specific procedures involved in the practical installation and maintenance of gas network assets

K3:

The requirements of Health and safety standards and regulations, and environmental and regulatory requirements, including; The Health and Safety at Work Act Dangerous Substances Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, The ATEX Directives, The Management of Health and Safety regulations, PUWER, Working at Height Regulations, Confined spaces Regulations, COSHH, PPE Regulations, RIDDOR, Noise at work regulations, Control of Asbestos regulations and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations.

K4:

Company maintenance practices, processes and procedures associated with gas network systems, controls and equipment

K5:

Gas engineering and mechanical or electric principles and processes that underpin the location, diagnosis and rectification of faults

K6:

Company policies, procedures and engineering instructions as specified by the employer

K27:

The health and safety requirements when conducting operations on gas pipeline systems

K28:

Understand how to test and confirm the suitability and effectiveness of corrosion control measures

K29:

The requirements for the testing and inspection of pipelines in accordance with the Pipeline safety and Pressure systems safety regulations

K30:

The permitry requirements when entering or working on gas operational sites

K31:

The company specific requirements for the inspection of pipeline systems and associated systems and equipment, including the frequency of such inspection

K32:

The implications of and assessment of damage sustained to pipelines by third party persons

K33:

The hazards and permitry requirements associated with working on or in proximity of pipelines that contain pressurised gas

K34:

The implications of the pressure systems safety regulations when assessing the suitability of equipment to be used

K35:

Understand how to apply company specific procedures when responding to reported pipeline gas emergencies

K36:

The New Roads and Street Works Act requirements for the provision of signing, lighting and guarding when working in or adjacent to the public highways

Technical Educational Products

: ST0205: Gas network craftsperson - Network Pipelines Maintenance Craftsperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0205D

Status:: Approved occupation

Average (median) salary:: £35,963 per year

SOC 2020 code:: 5315 Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5315/00 Plumbers and heating and ventilation installers and repairers
- 2129/07 Gas engineers (professional)
- 5214/00 Pipe fitters

S1:

Undertake and document risk assessments in accordance with company procedures

S2:

Comply with workplace health, safety & environmental practices and regulations, maintaining a safe and secure working environment

S3:

Follow engineering instructions and company procedures to complete tasks safely and on-time

S4:

Undertake inspection and examination of network assets in order to maintain the safe and compliant operation of the network to ensure the integrity, safety and security of supply

S5:

Maintain and/or install gas engineering assets, components and associated equipment

S6:

Install, test, purge and commission gas network assets

S7:

Operate powered tools and equipment, such as drills, angle grinders, brush cutters and shot blasting equipment as required for network maintenance operations.

S8:

Use approved gas detection equipment to ensure safe environment

S9:

Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and employer policy

S10:

Obtain and analyse asset condition and performance information to facilitate decision making

S11:

Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact

S12:

Through risk assessment, minimise risks to life, property and the environment when undertaking work activities

S13:

Accurately record job information, complete job reports and process

S14:

Liaise with gas consumers, statutory agencies and members of the public in order to ensure their safety

S15:

Accurately update company systems with details of work undertaken

S48:

Apply non-destructive testing theories and principles in order to carry out diagnostic fault finding procedures

S49:

Apply the theories and principles of integrity testing, purging commissioning and de-commission of gas pipelines and associated equipment and components

S50:

Inspect, monitor, maintain, dismantle, install and repair pipeline systems and equipment for example; flow regulators, safety devices, system protection devices, measurement devices and monitoring equipment

S51:

Remove, repair and replace components of gas transportation pipelines and associated equipment

S52:

Undertake corrosion prevention activities i.e. cathodic protection systems and monitoring, coating and wrapping

S53:

Take action to prevent third parties causing damage to gas transportation pipeline assets and equipment i.e. tracing, marking, monitoring third party activities and responding to encroachments

S54:

Liaise with relevant land owners and third parties e.g. statutory agencies and members of the public

S55:

Consult design specifications to analyse and calculate pipeline system parameters and rectification procedures

S56:

Interpret plans and drawings to install, position or re-locate pipeline equipment and components

S57:

Test, service and repair pipeline equipment as part of planned preventative maintenance and/or reactive maintenance programmes

S58:

Operate specialised tools and equipment for pipeline maintenance operations for example; in line inspection tools, damage assessment, intelligent pigging, valve repairs, flow stopping and under pressure drilling.

S59:

Locate and avoid underground plant and equipment prior to and whilst undertaking activities

S60:

Install signing, lighting and guarding systems

S62:

Organise additional resources to facilitate repairs as required

S63:

Respond to reported pipeline gas emergencies

Technical Educational Products

: ST0205: Gas network craftsperson - Network Pipelines Maintenance Craftsperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0205D

Status:: Approved occupation

Average (median) salary:: £35,963 per year

SOC 2020 code:: 5315 Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5315/00 Plumbers and heating and ventilation installers and repairers
- 2129/07 Gas engineers (professional)
- 5214/00 Pipe fitters

B1:

Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated approach

B2:

Deliver a polite, courteous professional service to all customers, stakeholders and members of the public as appropriate

B3:

Demonstrate and apply a safety first approach

B4:

Accept accountability when undertaking individual and team tasks

B5:

Follows instruction from appropriate supervision, and makes decisions when required.

B6:

Quality-focussed and professional in work and in personal standards

B7:

Recognise personal limitations and seek advice from managers, experts and specialists when required

B8:

Accepts responsibility for work undertaken

B9:

Receptive to the needs and concerns of others, especially where related to diversity and equality

B10:

Committed to carrying out and recording Continued Professional Development necessary to maintain and enhance competence

B11:

Exercises responsibilities in an ethical manner

B12:

Interacts with people and approaches work activities in a way that contributes to continuous self improvement

Technical Educational Products

: ST0205: Gas network craftsperson - Network Pipelines Maintenance Craftsperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0205D

Status:: Approved occupation

Average (median) salary:: £35,963 per year

SOC 2020 code:: 5315 Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5315/00 Plumbers and heating and ventilation installers and repairers
- 2129/07 Gas engineers (professional)
- 5214/00 Pipe fitters