Construction and the built environment
Steeplejack
Conduct routine inspections, maintenance tasks and minor planned and responsive repair works to buildings and structures at height.
Summary
This occupation is found in the construction, heritage facilities management, infrastructure, transportation, heavy industry including utilities and petrochemical sectors. Steeplejacks are needed when conventional modes of access have been considered but deemed unfeasible. They typically work for specialist contractors. The range of size of this kind of employer around the UK varies from micro employers up to large employers.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to conduct routine inspections, maintenance tasks and minor planned and responsive repair works to buildings and structures at height. The principal skill and benefit of steeplejack services centres around the complexity of access to a structure. Steeplejacks erect high ladders, work in a team to build steeplejack scaffolding, set up various motorised access equipment and climb and abseil structures using various methods such as rope access.
Steeplejacks work outdoors at varying heights, in all weather conditions. The work is physically demanding and includes rigging, climbing, and carrying ladders, tools, and safety equipment at height. Steeplejacks wear protective clothing and headgear.
The hours of work vary. Shifts and overtime, including evenings and weekends, may be required.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their immediate team, project managers, supervisors and safety representatives, contractors, site management and safety teams which could include a senior or craft steeplejack providing advice and guidance They could also interact with clients or their representatives, materials, and equipment suppliers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, using equipment, materials and tools to access work at height. Steeplejacks follow method statements and safe systems of work, liaise and agree work areas with construction site management teams and or building managers and client representatives.
They are responsible for recognising their own level of competence, and report back to their supervisor or manager. Management will make the decision to amend the works required within the competence of the operative or assign the job to a craft steeplejack or more experienced professional. Steeplejacks may be required to establish their own safety equipment to ensure safe access, safe system of work and safe egress, along with protection of the public or building users, in line with statutory rules, regulations, company protocols and guidance.
Typical job titles include
- Steeplejack
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Health and safety regulations, standards and guidance relevant to the occupation and the individual's responsibilities.
K2:
Steeplejack regulatory and legislative requirements and their impact on individual’s responsibilities.
K3:
Principles of site induction and toolbox talks.
K4:
Safe systems of work, risk assessment and method statements: interpretation and application of control measures.
K5:
Personal protective equipment (PPE): types and tethering techniques.
K6:
Steeplejack height access techniques: laddering, motorised access equipment, and bosun seats.
K7:
BS7985 steeplejack rope access techniques.
K8:
Anchors for steeplejacking: types, selection, testing, removable and re-usable fixings.
K9:
Anchor for steeplejacking: fixing and removal techniques.
K10:
Types and uses of steeplejack scaffolding.
K11:
Methods of erecting and dismantling steeplejacking scaffolding.
K12:
The range of structure types and characteristic uses, their common methods of construction and typical defects, and the impact that steeple jacking operations might have on building safety.
K13:
The types, uses and safeguards of steeplejacking height access equipment: ladders, bosun seats, motorised access.
K14:
Common hand and power tools used in routine steeplejacking tasks including safeguarding and tethering techniques.
K15:
Equipment inspection methods: pre-use and post use checks, visual and functional checks.
K16:
Techniques to move and handle steeplejack materials, components and equipment manually and with lifting equipment.
K17:
Height access equipment storage techniques.
K18:
Routine maintenance techniques applied to built structures at height using steeplejack access methods.
K19:
Principles of inspecting buildings and built structures.
K20:
Methods of quality assuring own work.
K21:
The importance of customer service to their organisation, how to provide feedback to ensure customers are informed.
K22:
Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from documentation: drawings, specifications and maintenance plans.
K23:
Environmental regulations and requirements: Environmental Protection Act, safe disposal of waste, minimising waste, re-use and re-cycle, waste contractors permit, energy efficiency, and contribution to net zero outcomes.
K24:
Team working techniques.
K25:
Principles of equity, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
K26:
Well-being: mental and physical health considerations in self and others and how to access support.
K27:
Verbal communication techniques and steeplejack terminology.
K28:
The processes and importance of escalating issues beyond their level of competence and authority.
K29:
Employment types - self-employed and employed, small business start up principles, tax responsibilities, roles and responsibilities.
K30:
Written communication techniques: paper based and digital.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1342: Steeplejack (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1342
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,350 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5319/04 Industrial climbers
S1:
Comply with health and safety regulations, standards and guidance.
S2:
Comply with safe systems of work and apply control measures.
S3:
Organise, maintain and reinstate the work area to safeguard themselves and others, including the use of signage and barriers.
S4:
Comply with environmental regulations and procedures. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
S5:
Select and use PPE and PPE tethering techniques.
S6:
Comply with industry regulatory and legislative requirements and standards.
S7:
Interpret information from documentation for example, drawings, specifications and maintenance plans.
S8:
Escalates issues beyond their level of competence and authority.
S9:
Select and use tools and equipment for steeplejacking maintenance tasks, including applying safeguards and tethers.
S10:
Select working at height equipment for accessing height including ladders, motorised access equipment, bosun seats and apply safeguards.
S11:
Inspect working at height equipment, including pre-use and post-use checks, visual and functional checks.
S12:
Move and handle steeplejacking material, components and equipment using manual and mechanical techniques.
S13:
Select, fix, and test steeplejack anchors.
S14:
Remove steeplejack anchors.
S15:
Use steeplejacking equipment and techniques to access work at height, including, laddering, motorised access, bosun seats.
S16:
Access height using BS7985 rope access techniques.
S17:
Store working at height equipment.
S18:
Work collaboratively to erect and dismantle steeplejack scaffolding.
S19:
Conduct routine inspections to structures at height using steeple jacking height access techniques.
S20:
Conduct routine maintenance to structures at height using steeple jack height access techniques. For example, cleaning gutters and minor repairs.
S21:
Record and report information.
S22:
Communicate with others verbally for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers.
S23:
Quality assure own work.
S24:
Apply team working techniques.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1342: Steeplejack (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1342
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,350 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5319/04 Industrial climbers
B1:
Puts health safety and wellbeing first.
B2:
Take ownership of given work.
B3:
Team-focused to meet work goals.
B4:
Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice.
B5:
Considers the environment and sustainability.
B6:
Supports equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace.
B7:
Adapt to new and changing situations.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1342: Steeplejack (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1342
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,350 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5319/04 Industrial climbers
