Engineering and manufacturing

Gas network craftsperson - Network Maintenance Craftsperson (Electrical & Instrumentation)

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

K7:

The safety processes to be applied when testing for voltages across the range likely to be encountered

K8:

The permitry requirements when maintaining or configuring telemetry systems or undertaking works that may initiate system alarms

K9:

Recognise the processes to be followed in order to identify and resolve data quality and calibration issues

K10:

Understand how to test and calibrate instrumentation and control equipment in accordance with company specific procedures

K11:

The theories used to maintain, test and calibrate electrical equipment in line with company specific procedures

K12:

Understand how to safely apply diagnostic fault finding principles to electrical systems

K13:

Identify relevant, company specific procedures and know how to access such documentation

K14:

Legislative requirements affecting electrical works and be able to describe how such legislation may affect them

K15:

The hazards that could be encountered when maintaining both fixed and portable electrical equipment

K16:

Understand why safe isolation procedures must be followed when carrying out electrical or instrumentation operations

Technical Educational Products

Reference:
OCC0205B
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved 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)
    • 5246/00 Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
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

S16:

Apply electrical theories and principles and use equipment to carry out diagnostic fault finding procedures

S17:

Inspect, maintain, repair, overhaul test and calibrate instrumentation and control equipment and circuits in accordance with company procedures

S18:

Maintain site lighting and fixed and portable equipment which may include generators, batteries and associated equipment

S19:

Carry out cable testing across a range of voltages to ensure safety and suitability for use

S20:

Install, maintain and dismantle instruments, controllers, probes, attachments, cabling, meters and display units

S21:

Configure telemetry outstation and internal systems

S22:

Identify and resolve data quality and calibration issues

S23:

Test, calibrate and validate fixed and portable analogue and digital instrumentation using approved procedures and standards

S24:

Repair, maintain, configure and calibrate field instrumentation, communication devices and associated equipment used in system and process control

S25:

Use standards and specifications to improve the information gathered by telemetry data

S26:

Inspect and maintain security equipment, telecommunication devices and alarm systems

S27:

Carry out isolation procedures to ensure process or system stability and the safety of personnel when carrying out operations

S28:

Provide support to day-to-day users of instrumentation and control systems

S29:

Ensure consistent and valid data is available for business and regulation purposes

S30:

Apply electrical skills to install, maintain and dismantle a wide range of plant, machinery and components

Technical Educational Products

Reference:
OCC0205B
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved 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)
    • 5246/00 Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
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

Reference:
OCC0205B
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved 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)
    • 5246/00 Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers