Construction assembly and installation operative

Occupation overview

This occupation is found in the construction sector.  On-site assembly of manufactured components is a rapidly growing part of the construction sector, representing 15% of the market in 2018.  Projects include; infrastructure, residential, commercial, retail, healthcare, education, rail, prisons and leisure.  Structures and components are manufactured in factories and then transported to the construction site, ready for location, connection and finishing.  Materials can include concrete, timber, modular and portable buildings and can include plastic and steel components.  Projects can be small local ones such as a bespoke house or nationwide in large scale developments such as residential and social housing, schools and hospitals.  These can be permanent, temporary or relocatable.

The broad purpose of this occupation is to use elements manufactured off-site, installed and assembled in a construction site environment.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with team colleagues and supervisors as well as those from other organisations such as main contractors, sub-contractors, architects, engineers, plant operators, drivers, Health and Safety Executive representatives, Environment Agency, site managers, construction managers and other trades.  The occupation involves working outside on a construction site, in a range of weather conditions, on projects anywhere in the UK.  In some instances, it will involve travelling and working away from home.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the assembly and installation of manufactured components to agreed design specification and tolerance.  This includes the safe handling, moving, installing and finishing to specification and within deadlines under the guidance of senior team colleagues or a supervisor depending on the size of the organisation.

Skills

  • Identify and apply safe working practices in accordance with current legislation, health, safety and welfare regulations, Approved Codes of Practice, company guidance, site-specific requirements and taking account of changing circumstances.
  • Plan and undertake work practices productively.
  • Identify and apply safe use, storage and maintenance of hand tools, power tools and ancillary equipment.
  • Identify and apply safe working techniques when manual handling, working at height and using access equipment and plant such as – fall prevention systems e.g. fall arrest, restraint and access systems, harnesses and scaffold.
  • Identify and apply safe working techniques when slinging and signalling the movement of loads.
  • Apply different materials for load bearing and non-load bearing purposes according to design and specifications.
  • Install and remove temporary works e.g. protection, formwork, propping, bracing and access ramps in accordance with schemes of work.
  • Assemble, position and install manufactured components such as structural elements, flooring units, stairs, pods, modules and cladding.
  • Complete post installation checks to ensure compliance with specification.
  • Interpret information for drawings and specifications in various types and formats including digital e.g. Building Information Modelling and Personal Digital Assistant models.

Knowledge

CORE KNOWLEDGE: A CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION OPERATIVE KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS:

  • the principles of environment, health, safety and welfare and how they must be applied in relation to their work and to others.
  • the responsibilities under current legislation and official guidance to undertake the work e.g. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, Manual Handling and Working at Height Regulations.
  • how to communicate with others and follow organisational procedures to conform to productive work practices.
  • the different techniques and methods to move, lift and handle, pre-assembled, manufactured elements and modules.
  • how to use, store and maintain hand tools, power tools and ancillary equipment.
  • how to interpret various types of information for drawings and specifications in various types and formats including digital e.g. Building Information Modelling and Personal Digital Assistant models.
  • how to comply with specifications and drawings when assembling, positioning and fixing manufactured elements and modules.
  • the specific safe working practices for moving, lifting and handling pre-assembled, manufactured elements and modules including – risk assessments and method statements, lift plans, control of hand-arm vibration syndrome, dust and noise.
  • the different techniques and methods to move, handle and store resources prior to installation.
  • the principles and practice of working at height and the use of access equipment including: mobile elevated work platforms, scaffold, fall prevention systems and equipment.
  • the principles of slinging and signalling.
  • the use of different materials and how they work together for load bearing and non-load bearing purposes.
  • the quality requirements of the materials and products that are being installed.
  • the different methods of installation and removal of temporary works and/or formwork.
  • the different methods of installation and removal of products such as structural elements, flooring units, stairs, pods, modules and cladding.
  • how and when to follow organisational reporting procedures to identify and rectify problems arising from information, resources and methods of work.

Behaviours

  • Working safely: in accordance with legal, regulatory, contractual and company procedures.
  • Effective communication: oral, written, listening, body language, digital and personal presentation.
  • Teamwork: work effectively and respectfully with others with minimum supervision, having consideration for equality and diversity.
  • Independent working: take responsibility for the completion of your own work.
  • Logical thinking: use clear and valid reasoning when making decisions to undertake the work instructions.
  • Working effectively: undertake the work in a timely and productive manner.
  • Adaptability: be able to adjust to changes to the work instructions.
  • Customer focus: deliver work to required quality standards.

Entry Requirements

Individual employers will set their own selection criteria.

Apprentices without Level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the tests for Level 2 prior to taking their end point assessment.

For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.

Duration

Typically 18 months.

Professional Qualifications/Recognition

Slinger and signaller CPCS A40

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.

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