Career summary

Details for Pipelayers


Description

Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.

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.
  • Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes.
  • Train or supervise others in laying pipe.
  • Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.
  • Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

  • Public Safety and Security -Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Mathematics -Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Building and Construction -Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Mechanical -Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

None found.

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