Pipelayers
Pipelayers lay pipes for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. They perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.
What does a pipelayer do? They are an expert professional who lays pipes, such as for storm sewers, sanitary sewers, drains, and water mains. They are mostly responsible for assembling, connecting, and constructing pipe systems for storm sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains and pipelines. Moreover, they ensure that the ground is prepped and trenches dug out for pipes. Besides, they align pipes and seal joints together with cement, glue or plastic welding.
However, pipelayers usually work outside, laying pipe underground or on the seabed, while pipefitters typically work inside, installing piping in buildings or ships. A side boom is a type of construction vehicle used to lay pipes.
Pipelayers' jobs need a lot of physical strength and stamina to use side booms as pipes and other components can get quite heavy. Mechanical skills and the knowledge to use various tools are also advantageous in this line of work. Adequate business acumen, administrative, communication, and problem-solving skills are advantageous to this profession. A pipelayer should be equipped to use various pieces of equipment which can be provided through training.
Pipelaying engineer salary is contingent on the working hours, experience and seniority level. To succeed, one should indulge in timely completion of work and display accuracy and perfection as owners and contractors have deadlines to meet.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Certificate Plumber
- Diploma Assistant Plumber
- NSQF Level 2 Plumber General Assistant
- NSQF Level 1 Plumber General Assistant
Tasks
- Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
- Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
- Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
- Cut pipes to required lengths.
- Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
- Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
- Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.
- Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
- Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
- Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
Progression Routes
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