Construction and the built environment
Damp control and timber preservation operative
Summary
This occupation is found in the specialist damp control and timber preservation sectors.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out a high standard of technical work relating to damp control and timber preservation issues. For example, rising dampness, penetrating dampness, atmospheric moisture, insect or fungi attack. The operative would need the necessary specialist skills to be able to effectively treat these issues.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a team of operatives, specialist damp and timber surveyors, clients, other trades, including electricians, general building contractors, etc. Specialist work is overseen by someone with an appropriate level of knowledge and expertise. The role may also interact with others including housing associations, councils or local authorities.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for carrying out damp control and timber preservation works, lifting and moving materials, using a range of hand held tools and equipment, carrying preparation and reinstatement works and being able to carry out site clearance activities such as the removal of waste and the storage of excess materials. Whilst undertaking these activities, operatives are expected to adhere to strict codes of conduct and safe working practices including wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, following the correct safe systems and taking action to minimise risk to self and others.The operative would need the relevant knowledge to be able to identify different types of building construction and type (for instance, different methods and materials used in construction) and adjust their working methods accordingly. The work carried out by a specialist damp and timber operative is unique in relation to the wider construction industry to prevent the deterioration of the fabric of the building. The materials, products and techniques that are used have been developed specifically to address the issues of the treatment of timber and damp above ground in buildings, including methods of application that work sympathetically with existing buildings. The role of the specialist damp and timber operative is vital in ensuring the relevant corrective treatment is carried out to the property to make sure that the property is not affected by the same issues in the future. The operative will need to understand all types of construction from foundation to roof in order to carry out the necessary treatments. They will have basic skills in plastering, joinery and bricklaying in order to make minor repairs to damaged elements. This will extend no further than minor repair work when necessary. For example the removal and replacement of skirting boards or flooring following timber treatment; or the removal and replacement of a small number of bricks following the installation of a telescopic air vent; or a small area of plastering. The operative has no supervisory responsibility. If the works relate to a listed building they will be supervised by someone with the appropriate level of knowledge of listed buildings and any remedial works will be undertaken by experts in that area. If major plastering, brickwork or joinery is required companies would contract in a damp and timber operative to carry out the required damp control or timber treatment. Only in these situations would there be interfacing with other trades. If an operative were to encounter a situation where extensive work in these areas was required they would feedback to their supervisor/company/client and advise accordingly. Operatives conduct and behaviour is particularly important as they represent not only the individual organisations undertaking the construction and renewals activities but the industry as a whole.
Typical job titles include
- Damp and Timber Operative | Damp and Timber Technician | Multi Skilled Technician | Preservation Technician | Remedial Technician | Site Operative | Site Technician | Technician
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
The principles of damp control and damp proofing, the treatment of condensation and specialist replastering
K2:
The principles of timber treatment including the various timber treatment products, exposure and reinstatement works and joinery skills
K3:
Identifying and understanding various building repairs including bricklaying and brickwork, floorboards, decayed joist ends and wall plates, removing existing timber floor at ground level, decaying timber lintel, small voids in a wall; and the associated waste disposal
K4:
The various building construction and terminology including methods of construction from foundation to roof; roof construction, roof coverings, foundation types, load bearing wall construction, construction of a timber stud partition, how to identify a timber frame building, types of windows and doors
K5:
How to work in accordance with the Property Care Association’s Codes of Practice and Best Practice Guidance documents, Industry Codes of Practice, British Standards, Manufacturer Material Safety Data Sheets and other guidance relevant to the occupation
K6:
Responsibilities under relevant legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment 1998, Manual Handling Operations regulations 1992 and Construction Design Management 2015
K7:
Risk assessments, method statements, COSSH assessments, asbestos awareness and other official guidance required in order to undertake work
K8:
Drawings, plans and specifications in order to identify what works are required
K9:
How to prepare and operate specialist equipment such as caulking gun, electric spray/injection pump, pneumatic sprayers, trigger assembly spray lance, stair back spray and nozzle
K10:
How to prepare and operate small hand and power tools such as circular saws, drills, angle grinders, nail guns
K11:
Understand the environmental impact of treatments i.e. what to do if bats are discovered before or during treatment and who to report the discovery to
Technical Educational Products
- ST0670: Damp control and timber preservation operative (Level 2) Withdrawn
- Reference:
- OCC0670
- Status:
Potential occupational standard
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
S1:
Prepare and establish the work environment/preparing for a high standard of technical work
S2:
Employ damp control techniques including the installation of a chemical damp proof course, apply an exterior wall surface water repellent, apply a cavity drain membrane as a dry lining system, the treatment of condensation and specialist replastering
S3:
Employ timber treatment techniques including the application of timber treatment products, calculate the amount of timber treatment/biocide product needed to complete the work, exposure and reinstatement works and joinery skills
S4:
Employ building repair techniques including bricklaying and brickwork, renew and repair floorboards, decayed joist ends and wall plates; remove existing timber floor at ground level; replace decayed timber lintel, timber floor trimmer spanning a bay; install a new sub floor air vent; infill small voids in a wall; correctly dispose of waste
S5:
Apply appropriate health, safety and environmental procedures when working, moving, storing, lifting, handling and disposing of resources
S6:
Plan, undertake and inspect work safely, efficiently and productively
S7:
Read, interpret and work to drawings, specifications and relevant industry Codes of Practice and Best Practice Guidelines
S8:
Work safely within the property identifying hazards and control measures (including fire prevention, working in confined spaces, use of appropriate signage/safety notices, screening of areas, safe working platforms) as required by legislation and industry standards to protect all parties and the property whilst works are undertaken
S9:
Communicate effectively using oral and written communication methods
S10:
Work effectively within a team environment, cooperating and supporting team members when required
S11:
Use own time effectively in order to consistently complete work on time to agreed programmes
S12:
Safely preparing and operating specialist equipment such as caulking gun, electric spray/injection pump, pneumatic sprayers, trigger assembly spray lance, stair back spray and nozzle
S13:
Safely preparing and operating small hand and power tools such as circular saws, drills, angle grinders, nail guns
S14:
Identifying and locating incoming services (i.e. position of stopcock, electrical fuse board, gas meter) to avoid loss of service
Technical Educational Products
- ST0670: Damp control and timber preservation operative (Level 2) Withdrawn
- Reference:
- OCC0670
- Status:
Potential occupational standard
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
B1:
Promote a positive safety culture in the working environment
B2:
Be polite and courteous when dealing with colleagues, clients and the public
B3:
Apply equality, diversity and inclusion in dealing with others
B4:
Show a willingness to be adaptable, adjusting to changing work instructions
B5:
Display the confidence to resist pressures to work following unsafe practices
Technical Educational Products
- ST0670: Damp control and timber preservation operative (Level 2) Withdrawn
- Reference:
- OCC0670
- Status:
- Potential occupational standard
- SOC 2020 code:
- 0
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
