Steeplejack

Steeplejacks are specialised heightworkers who safely scale the outside of buildings and structures to perform critical work.

The job role of a steeplejack involves the following duties: 

• Carrying out repairs, maintenance and renovation work on industrial chimneys, power station cooling towers, church spires, castles, high-rise buildings and bridges
• Installing lightning conductors
• Earthing large machinery
• Assembling ladders and scaffolding, mobile work platforms, traditional harnesses and industrial ropes for abseiling
• Fitting aircraft warning lights
• Replacing roof glass or repairing masonry 
• Painting structures such as bridges
• Demolishing tall chimneys or buildings
• Checking for damage on buildings after adverse weather such as high winds
• Working with electricians to protect computers and other electronic equipment
• Reporting on problems and recommending solutions to architects, surveyors and engineers
• Dismantling equipment and returning it to the ground once the work has been completed.

Working conditions

Steeplejacks work on different structures, on a construction site, at a power station, on high rise buildings or at monuments and castles. Their working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, at height, dusty and physically demanding.

They often need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

The following job titles also refer to steeplejack:

rope access steeplejack
rope access technician
heightworker
MWEP operator
suspended platform driver

There are no formal entry requirements to be a steeplejack, however a high school diploma in maths, English, science or design and technology may be useful.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Steeplejack is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to steeplejack.

construction scaffolder
construction painter
rigger
terrazzo setter
insulation worker

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of steeplejack. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of steeplejack with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

asphalt laboratory technician
construction quality inspector
construction scaffolding supervisor
road maintenance technician
construction painting supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of steeplejack.

• Climbing equipment: The various pieces of equipment used for climbing and associated operations, such as ropes, connectors, helmets, ascenders, arresters, harness, pulleys and devices. Their operation, usage cases, advantages, disadvantages and costs.

These skills are necessary for the role of steeplejack.

• Handle equipment while suspended: Safely operate hand equipment while suspended on a rope. Take on a secure and stable position before starting the operation. After finishing, store the equipment safely, usually by attaching it to a belt buckle.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Work from suspended access cradle: Work safely from a suspended access cradle, also known as a swing stage, a cradle suspended from four ropes. Move the cradle around or coordinate with others who move it. Take care to keep the cradle balanced and to prevent any objects falling out.
• Spot other climbers: Attend to another climber’s safety and climbing progress. Belay them, shortening the amount of rope between them and the next anchor or giving slack if the climber needs to perform a manoeuvre. Communicate and coordinate with the climber.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Build scaffolding: Assemble temporary scaffolding structures for construction, maintenance or event-related purposes. Set vertical standards on the base plate of the scaffolding structure. Ensure the scaffolding structure is secured from lateral forces and supported sufficiently. Place wood or metal scaffolding decks into the transoms to stand on and make sure they are aligned. Safely set scaffolding stairs and ladders, which allow enough room for safe and easy manoeuvring.
• Inspect climbing equipment: Check your climbing equipment. Keep track of the usage history of the product. Make sure the product is certified and lifetime has not been exceeded. Verify the presence of all parts. Check the equipment for cuts, damage, wear. Check any safety stitching. Make sure buckles work properly and present no twists. Detect signs of corrosion or chemical damage.
• Construct working platform: When the structural elements of the scaffolding structure have been completed, attach working platforms which approach or touch the structure to be worked on. Place decks on the platform and remove the guard rail that separates it from the main scaffolding deck.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of steeplejack. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Risk assessment for window cleaning: Risk assessment process that takes into consideration all the risk factors, monitoring of control measures and recording assessments related to working in the window cleaning field.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of steeplejack. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Clean building facade: Perform cleaning activities of the main face of a building, using appropriate equipment, as required by the complexity and height of the building.
• Lay bricks: Lay bricks in the specified pattern and apply a layer of mortar to create walls. Make sure every course of bricks is level and flush.
• Inspect masonry work: Inspect finished masonry work. Check if the work is straight and level, if each brick is of adequate quality, and if the joints are full and well finished.
• Prune hedges and trees: Cut and prune trees and hedges in ornemental forms, considering botanical and esthetical aspects.
• Inspect wind turbines: Perform routine inspections on wind turbines by climbing the turbines and carefully inspecting all parts to identify any problems, and to assess whether repairs have to be arranged.
• Inspect concrete structures: Visually inspect a concrete structure to see if it is structurally sound. Check for different types of cracks, such as those due to reinforcement corrosion, impact damage or high water content.
• Install insulation material: Place insulation material, often shaped into rolls, in order to insulate a structure from thermical or acoustic influences and to prevent fire. Attach the material using face staples, inset staples, or rely on friction to keep the material in place.
• Inspect insulation: Inspect the quality of the insulation of a structure. Inspect the insulation visually to detect any mistakes or defects. Analyse infrared imagery to see any cold bridges, air gaps, or insulation malfunctions.
• Inspect paintwork: Inspect a painted surface, either one recently painted or an old layer. Watch for dents, cracks, flaking, air bubbles, mould and other issues.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Perform search and rescue missions: Assist in fighting natural and civic disasters, such as forest fires, floods and road accidents. Conduct search-and-rescue missions.
• Paint surfaces: Use brushes and rollers to apply a coat of paint to a prepared surface evenly and without leaving drops.
• Set window: Place a window in a prepared position such as a wall or floor, in case of full height glass. Use measurement tools to ascertain that the window is straight and plumb.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Clean glass surfaces: Use cleaning products to clean any surface covered by glass, especially windows.
• Blast surface: Blast a surface with sand, metal shot, dry ice or other blasting material to remove impurities or rough up a smooth surface.
• Inspect scaffolding: After the scaffolding structure has been completed, inspect it for compliance with safety standards, weight bearing properties, tensile strength, resistance to wind, any other outside influences and ergonomics.
• Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.
• Inspect roofs: Inspect the condition of an existing roof. Check the state of the weight-bearing structure, roof covering, insulation, and accessibility. Take into account the intended purpose of the roof, including any accessories to be installed.

7119 – Building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified

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References

1. Steeplejack – ESCO
2. Steeplejack | Explore careers – National Careers Service
3. Steeplejack Salary & Job Role – Go Construct
4. Featured image: By Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0