Mid Green occupationEngineering and manufacturing
Power industry overhead linesperson - Transmission linesperson
Planned and reactive work to maintain and repair plant and equipment associated with power distribution or transmission overhead lines.
Summary
Overhead linespersons work in the power industry for power utility owners, operators, or contractors.
They work on overhead line power distribution and transmission networks. Distribution lines carry electricity from a substation to consumers - residential and commercial. Transmission lines move electricity from a power plant or power station to the various substations. There are differences in equipment and working procedures between the two networks.
The Office of gas and electricity markets (Ofgem) regulates the industry.
This is a core and options apprenticeship. An apprentice must be trained and assessed on the core and one option. The options are:
- Option 1. distribution linesperson
- Option 2. transmission linesperson
Distribution linespersons work on small scale structures, typically capable of carrying up to 132,000 volts, and their support mechanisms.
Transmission linespersons work on large support structures for example steel towers, typically capable of carrying 132,000 volts and above, and their support mechanisms.
Both transmission and distribution linespersons conduct planned and reactive work to maintain and repair plant and equipment. They work on and near live apparatus. They receive safety documents and organise and supervise a working party (group of workers). They monitor working conditions and react to maintain safety. Completing work and safety records is also part of their role. They work at sites across a company’s or client’s power network. This means they may have to drive vehicles requiring driving licenses. They work in all weather conditions. They may have to be on standby duty and work shifts outside normal working hours. The role requires a good level of physical ability and working at height.
Distribution linespersons also construct distribution overhead line plant and apparatus for example, wooden poles. And their work may involve working on customers’ premises or property.
Overhead linespersons work with other linespersons and support operatives. They also have contact with other internal and external stakeholders. This may include engineers, managers, reinstatement teams, and admin staff. On a site they may interact with site agents and other trades. They speak with domestic and commercial customers regarding work and sometimes the public to keep them updated on work progress. They typically report to an experienced overhead linesperson.
They help to maintain the safe supply of electricity and the development of flexible networks that are vital to achieving environmentally sustainable networks. Work must comply with the Electricity Safety, Quality, and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR). Safety is a top priority for the industry. They must comply with health, safety and environmental, and sustainability regulations and procedures. Failure to do so could have serious consequences for self, others, and the environment. They must complete tasks in line with the network's procedures and specifications, to set timescales and unit costs. They must present a professional image of the company and themselves. They must be competent to hold an authorisation to fulfil their duties under their company’s safety rules.
They may need to hold CSCS (construction skills certification scheme card) cards.
Typical job titles include
- Overhead lines craftsperson | Overhead linesperson
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Power network industry appreciation: generation of electricity, Transmission Network Operator, Distribution Network Operator (DNO), Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), Independent Connections Provider (ICP), supplier, generators - role and boundary of operation.
K2:
The office of gas and electricity markets (Ofgem) - their role and powers.
K3:
Power industry regulations: Electricity at Work Regulations, and The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR). Their purpose and basic requirements.
K4:
Overhead linesperson's role and responsibilities. Limitations of role and escalation procedures. Different teams and functions involved in operations: how they work together.
K5:
Responsibilities of persons as defined in industry standard safety rules: supervising a working party, competent persons. Authorisation roles and responsibilities. Safety documentation.
K6:
Business operation considerations: how activities may impact customers, financial constraints (budgets), penalties and rewards, ethical business practices.
K7:
The hazards associated with work on or near electrical power networks.
K8:
The dangers of electricity and how an electric shock can be received: direct contact, induced (impressed) voltage, and arcing. Electric shock emergency procedures.
K9:
Health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance - their purpose and basic requirements: asbestos awareness, Construction Design Management (CDM), Health and Safety at Work Act, confined spaces awareness, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), lone working, Management of Health and Safety at Work, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), and warning signs and symbols.
K10:
Risk assessments and method statements. Emergency procedures. Personal protective equipment (PPE). Manual handling. Fire safety.
K11:
Emergency first aid.
K12:
Working at height awareness. Safe access and egress methods: hierarchy of methods, inspection, operation, and maintenance requirements. Exclusion zone requirements to avoid risk from falling objects.
K13:
Working at height personal protective equipment: harnesses, fall restraint and arrest equipment. User inspection, operation, and maintenance requirements. Rescue from height equipment and methods.
K14:
Asset security requirements.
K15:
Plant and vehicle check requirements.
K16:
The Environmental Protection Act - its purpose and basic requirements. Environmental management systems standard.
K17:
The power industry's net zero strategy. Principles of sustainability and the circular economy. Impact of sites of special scientific interest, and flora and fauna on work. Potential effects on the environment of companies and individuals not complying with good environmental practices.
K18:
Recycling and waste management requirements.
K19:
Access to private land, streets and wayleaves.
K20:
Planning, prioritising, organisation, and time management techniques for self and working party.
K21:
Communication techniques. Industry terminology. Adapting style to audience.
K22:
Written communication techniques.
K23:
Documentation requirements; importance of accurate records.
K24:
Information and digital technology. Computers and mobile devices. Software: email, word processing, databases, productivity and collaboration software, and work and asset management systems. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
K25:
Team working principles.
K26:
The principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
K27:
Mathematical theory in power engineering. Round numbers, scientific notation, percentages and ratios. Areas, perimeters, volumes and surface areas of simple shapes. Scales, tables, graphs and charts. Pythagoras’ Theorem and sin, cos, and tan in right-angled triangles. Substitution of numerical values into simple engineering formulae. The sequence of arithmetic operations.
K28:
Mechanical theory in power engineering. Mass, force and weight. Parameters of mechanical systems. The components of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Statics and forces. Energy, work and power. The parameters of material tensile strengths. The parameters of mechanical advantage. The lever principle and theorem of movement.
K29:
Electrical theory in power engineering. Circuit technology. Magnetism and electromagnetism. Transformers.
K30:
Power engineering electrical plant and apparatus, the properties and purpose of transformers, switchgear, earthing devices, voltage control and automated equipment.
K47:
The types and characteristics of common transmission conductors and joints; causes and consequences of common installation faults.
K48:
Working in proximity to live apparatus protocols.
K49:
Different support structures capable of carrying 132 kV and above and their support mechanisms requirements.
K50:
Transmission support structures construction methods. Requirements for support mechanisms and temporary stays.
K51:
Transmission rigging techniques on conductors and transmission towers.
K52:
High voltage temporary earthing requirements.
K53:
Management of circulating currents.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1330: Power industry overhead linesperson - Transmission linesperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1330B
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £42,440 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5249 Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5249/02 Overhead line workers
S1:
Review drawings, instructions, or information to understand the task for example, work instructions, wiring diagrams, design specifications, utility plans, on-line search documents.
S2:
Prioritise and plan work with consideration for safety, environmental impact, quality, and cost.
S3:
Identify and organise resources to complete tasks for example, consumables.
S4:
Identify apparatus to be worked on.
S5:
Conduct plant or vehicle checks.
S6:
Receive and clear a safety document (permit to work). Brief a working party.
S7:
Identify hazards and risks and apply control measures.
S8:
Apply health and safety procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, safe access and egress, demarcate the work area, working at height, confined spaces, COSHH.
S9:
Respond in the event of an emergency first aid situation including situations where there is electrical risk.
S10:
Apply measures to leave power work environments in a safe and secure condition for example, anticlimbing guards, danger notices, barriers, lighting.
S11:
Apply sustainability principles for example, minimising waste.
S12:
Segregate waste for reuse, recycling, and waste transfer.
S13:
Select, check, prepare, use or operate, and store personal tools and equipment.
S14:
Use working at height equipment for example, mobile working platforms, scaffolding, ladders.
S15:
Select, inspect, and use personal climbing equipment to access and manoeuvre to a work position at height on overhead line plant and apparatus.
S16:
Fit and operate a rescue device at height.
S17:
Select, check, and prepare resources.
S18:
Record information.
S19:
Identify areas for improvement. For example, in relation to quality, cost, time, safety, and environmental impact.
S20:
Communicate with others to give and receive information for example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
S21:
Apply team working principles.
S22:
Report or escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
S23:
Produce or amend documents for example, handover notes, procedures, reports.
S24:
Use digital and information technology. Follow cyber security requirements.
S25:
Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
S46:
Follow procedures for working on or in proximity to live apparatus.
S47:
Select and operate lifting equipment in overhead lines transmission work for example, cranes and winches.
S48:
Check overhead line plant and apparatus is safe to access, install flag and check wristlets if required.
S49:
Install access equipment for example, platforms, ladders, and spacer trollies.
S50:
Install high voltage temporary earthing equipment.
S51:
Install or replace conductors, insulators and ancillary equipment on overhead line plant or apparatus including sagging, tensioning and termination where required.
S52:
Carry out conductor compression jointing.
S53:
Connect spacers to conductors.
S54:
Test compression joints.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1330: Power industry overhead linesperson - Transmission linesperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1330B
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £42,440 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5249 Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5249/02 Overhead line workers
B1:
Prioritise health and safety. For example, risk aware, minimise risks, and proactively work towards preventing accidents.
B2:
Consider the environment and sustainability when using resources and carrying out tasks.
B3:
Take ownership for work and responsibility for its impact on others. For example, self-motivated, disciplined in the approach to work tasks, identify and deal appropriately with distractions to enable tasks to be achieved, work carried out in line with standards.
B4:
Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, take initiative -making on the spot decisions, re-prioritise workloads to react to emergency response and to fault scenarios.
B5:
Perform in a professional manner for example, polite, courteous, and respectful to customers and members of the public.
B6:
Team-focus to meet work goals and support inclusivity. For example, support others, show respect to people from different trades, disciplines, backgrounds, and expertise.
B7:
Committed to continued professional development to maintain and enhance competence.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1330: Power industry overhead linesperson - Transmission linesperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1330B
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £42,440 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5249 Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5249/02 Overhead line workers
