Features of the profession pipe-laying engineer

The profession of pipe-laying engineer has always been in demand in our country. Housing and industrial construction is underway in cities, Russia sells oil and gas abroad. For all this, pipelines and installation specialists are needed. This article will primarily orient those who are interested in this profession, will give the most general idea about it.

Any pipeline is mounted using a special pipe-laying crane, which most often is a caterpillar tractor with an arrow mounted on its side with a lifting mechanism. The mechanism is driven by power take-off from the tractor engine. Depending on the size and diameter of the pipes, techniques of various power and lifting capacity are used. It is controlled by a pipe-laying engineer.

Primarily, the pipe-laying engineer must be a good tractor driver and have a certificate with the tolerance category “E” (tracked vehicles with an engine power exceeding 25.7 kW). Work is often carried out in difficult conditions: in deep trenches, in impassable terrain, near water bodies, near high-voltage lines. The machine must be correctly brought to the place of work in order to eliminate unnecessary driving with the load on the boom. You need to be able to work in confined, and even dangerous conditions. Therefore, the tractor driver's skills for this profession are primary.

When laying pipes, the driver is guided by the job description, existing professional standards, traffic rules and safety regulations. He must:

• know the technical structure and characteristics of the pipe layer (power, load capacity);
• have the skills to control the tractor and the lifting and handling device (boom);
• know the current pipe laying rules;
• be able to eliminate machine malfunctions that occur during operation;
• have experience in repairing tractors and pipe layers;
• carry out regular maintenance of the machine, know the norms of fuel and oil consumption;
• Know the instructions, standards and other regulations governing its activities.

The direct duties of the pipe-laying engineer include:

• transportation of the machine to the place of work;
• preparing the pipelayer for work at the facility (checking the operability of mechanisms, cables, slings);
• competent interaction with the assistant slinger;
• direct work on the installation of the pipeline (lifting, moving, laying pipes);
• strict observance of safety regulations;
• Shift maintenance of the pipe layer, maintenance of the machine in good condition.

The professional standard (reg. No. 457, code 16.058) requires that people who have reached the age of 18 years with a minimum education level who have undergone appropriate vocational training and have been working as a tractor repair technician for at least a year allowed to work on a pipe-laying machine. Engineers undergo retraining at least 1 time in 5 years.

Of great importance is the state of health. Applicants and already working drivers undergo mandatory medical examinations. The work is hard, shiftable, the conditions are often difficult: noise, shaking, bad weather. People with visual impairments, joint diseases, neurological and mental disorders are not allowed to work.

The unified tariff-qualification reference book provides 4 categories for the pipe-laying engineer depending on the power of the equipment to which he is allowed to work:

• 5th category: it is allowed to work on a pipe layer with an engine power of not more than 73 kW (up to 100 l / s);
• 6th category: up to 100 kW (135 l / s);
• 7th category: up to 145 kW (197 l / s);
• 8th category: up to 220 kW (299 l / s).

The driver of the eighth category performs the most difficult installation work on pipelines of large diameters and in the most difficult conditions. He has the right to train novice specialists and organize the work of less qualified drivers at a construction site.

In large enterprises that value their reputation and value good workers, there is always the possibility of advanced training. This is not easy, but the result is worth the labor spent in the sense of raising salaries and self-esteem.

You can learn the profession of pipe-laying engineer:

• in college (technical school) on the basis of incomplete secondary and secondary education;
• on special vocational training courses.

Vocational training courses are a quick option, more suitable for those who wish to retrain from another profession and already have at least a secondary vocational education. A college or technical school is preferable because they have a sufficient profile base and qualified teachers. In good educational institutions there are a variety of simulators, models, mechanized manuals that allow you to better understand and feel the technique that you have to work on.

In addition, there are continuing education courses. They are intended for already working pipe-laying operators. Workers are referred to these courses by the employer. It is no secret that over time, knowledge requires "refreshment."The regulatory framework changes over time, new rules and standards appear. The equipment also does not stand still, it becomes more and more complex, in many tractors various electronic systems are widely used. All this is required to bring to the attention of workers.

Pipelayer drivers work in the utilities sector on the installation of various pipelines (sewerage, heating mains), in the road industry on laying drainages, as well as on the construction of oil and gas pipelines, water pipelines, product pipelines from oil refineries. This branch of the economy is currently developing relatively dynamically, so specialists are in demand. You can find thousands of jobs across the country.

Often, for the most determined employees, shift work is offered in remote areas (Siberia, the Far North). Difficult working and living conditions are offset by high salaries. It is important to listen to experienced people who know conscientious employers and go to work with them. Acting at random is dangerous, fraud is possible.

The salary of the pipe-laying engineer varies depending on qualifications, customer of work, working conditions. Laying water pipes at a construction site in the city is cheaper than building a gas pipeline in permafrost. The spread across the country is from 35 to 140 thousand rubles. This is very approximate information, in each case it is necessary to learn in detail both the requirements and the size of the salary.