Gas network operative

Utility industry structure and regulatory requirements, including the Gas Act and regulatory surveys

Health and safety standards, regulations and practice, including Health and Safety at Work Act, risk assessments and safe systems of work, permits to work, New Roads and Street Works Act, working in confined spaces, working at heights, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), personal protective equipment (PPE), Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), first aid, manual handling, fire safety, asbestos awareness

Environmental regulatory requirements: Environment Protection Act, disposal of waste and recycling

Principles and processes that underpin the location of utility network assets, including health and safety guidance on avoiding damage to underground utility services

Checks, maintenance, operation and storage requirements for commonly used gas utility network operations equipment and tools, for example utility location equipment/tools, pneumatic gun, hand/power tools – power disc cutter, chain saw, drills

Principles of traffic management and control

Excavation techniques, for example, open cut, moling, vacuum extraction. Trench support for example, proprietary systems, sheeting and mechanical

Procedures for the construction, testing, purging, repair commissioning and decommissioning of gas network assets

Procedures for gas network emergencies

Electrical safety, including equipotential bonding

Emergency services and statutory authorities – local authorities, highway authorities and Environment Agency; who they are, what they do; escalation procedures

Communication techniques – written, verbal; customer service techniques

Reporting channels; limits of authority

Equality & diversity considerations in the workplace

Data – purpose and protection, for example asset records

Information technology, for example to support an accurate audit trail using electronic equipment including handheld and mobile devices

Identify hazards and implement controls to reduce risks

Interpret work instructions, engineering instructions and determine actions

Identify and organise resources to undertake activities

Comply with workplace health, safety & environmental policy and practice; including use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment

Set out signing, lighting and guarding

Excavate holes for utility network services

Monitor and maintain site conditions, including good housekeeping

Identify, locate and avoid utility supply apparatus and sub-structures

Check, maintain, operate and store equipment and tools; report faults if required

Communicate with colleagues and/or stakeholders, for example, statutory agencies and members of the public, customers

Use breathing apparatus

Use gas detection equipment

Carry out trench installation for example, sheeting, lightweight and proprietary systems

Record information, for example job reports, time sheets

Construct new and replacement gas services to internal and external service termination positions using a range of techniques

Carry out squeeze off activities on gas services (low and medium pressure)

Construct new and replacement gas mains using a range of techniques

Carry out flow stopping on gas mains by use of squeeze off and bag stop

Disconnect gas meters

Repair gas assets including valves and fittings using a range of techniques

Join materials by electro-fusion

Join materials by butt fusion processes

Exchange emergency control valve

Test gas network assets at low and medium pressure

Purge, commission and decommission gas network assets

Apply gas network emergency procedures including the analysis of gas readings

Apply water extraction techniques for gas mains and services

Prioritises health, safety and environment when undertaking work to safeguard life and property

Adaptable, for example willing to accept changing priorities and working requirements

Team player, for example keeps others informed, recognises personal and professional limitations and seeks advice when necessary

Professional, for example punctual, trustworthy, polite, courteous, presentable, maintains security of business specific and personal data and assets, takes account of equality and diversity in interactions

Self-motivated, for example manages own time effectively, takes responsibility to complete the job

Pride in work, for example works to agreed quality targets and standards

Customer focus, for example keeps customers informed

Committed to continued professional development