Mid Green occupation

Engineering and manufacturing

Gas network craftsperson - Emergency Response Craftsperson

View occupational standard

View occupational progression

Explore courses linked to this occupation

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

K37:

The safety actions to be applied where critical gas level concentrations are encountered when dealing with reported gas emergencies

K38:

The requirements of the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations when dealing with reported gas emergencies

K39:

The requirements of the relevant British standards in relation to the safe installation of gas appliances, pipework and meters

K40:

Understand how to identify gas appliances and installations that are not compliant with industry standards and may be deemed as unsafe

K41:

Understand how to comply with the requirements of the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure, including RIDDOR reporting requirements

K42:

Understand how to recognise the signs and symptoms of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

K43:

Describe the requirements for the application of gas tightness testing procedures

K44:

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

K45:

Understand how to apply suitable control measures for the location and avoidance of supply apparatus and sub-structures prior to and whilst working on gas network assets

K46:

Understand when to liaise with emergency services and other statutory authorities as necessary

Technical Educational Products

: ST0205: Gas network craftsperson - Emergency Response Craftsperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0205A

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)

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

S64:

Respond to public reported upstream gas emergencies, including damage to or failure of gas mains and services that supply a consumer’s premise

S65:

Respond to public reported downstream gas emergencies, including reported gas escapes inside customers properties and reports of carbon monoxide

S66:

Carry out site investigations in relation to gas emergencies, in line with company procedures

S67:

Use gas detection equipment to identify gas concentrations

S68:

Interpret gas readings to determine the safety of the site

S69:

Apply evacuation procedures where required

S70:

Apply the industry unsafe situations procedures

S71:

Install and exchange gas meters and pressure regulators

S72:

Install domestic pipework

S73:

Tightness test, purge, commission and de-commission domestic gas pipework

S74:

Tightness test, purge, commission and de-commission non-domestic gas pipework

S75:

Locate and avoid underground plant and equipment whilst undertaking activities in the highway

S76:

Liaise with emergency services and other statutory authorities as necessary

S77:

Organise additional resources to facilitate repairs as required

Technical Educational Products

: ST0205: Gas network craftsperson - Emergency Response Craftsperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0205A

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)

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 - Emergency Response Craftsperson (Level 3) Approved for delivery

Reference:: OCC0205A

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)