Overview of the role

Inspecting a wide variety of equipment in workplaces such as football stadiums, the space industry, music events, the film industry, dockyards as well as factories, shops, quarries, hospitals and schools.

Details of standard

This standard has options. Display duties and KSBs for:

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in every aspect of life, undertaking independent engineering inspections across all industries and premises. Engineer Surveyors are responsible for inspecting a wide variety of equipment in workplaces such as football stadiums, the space industry, music events, the film industry, dockyards as well as factories, shops, quarries, hospitals and schools.
They are responsible for the inspection of millions of items of equipment every year from eyebolts to tower cranes, coffee boilers to steam trains and electrical installations, lifts and escalators and construction equipment. They are usually employed by inspection companies but are not restricted to this type of employer. Engineer Surveyors make up around 3000 of the UK workforce. Most engineering inspectors will already have a background in engineering before they join the profession and will typically have prior experience including a minimum of a level 3 qualification and a minimum of 3 years relevant experience.. The broad purpose of the occupation is to keep people safe, by carrying out engineering inspections to ensure safe continued use of the equipment.

Engineer Surveyor's work is ‘hands-on’. This occupation requires practical experience, technical ability, strong customer communication skills and the confidence to make professional judgements.

The work carried out by Engineer Surveyor's is known as a "thorough examinations" and most of the major employers of Engineer Surveyors across the UK cover thorough examination and Inspection on the following classes of equipment:
•Lift Installations
•Crane Machinery
•Pressure Equipment
•Power Press/Hazardous Machinery
•Electrical Equipment and Installations
•Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems

Most thorough examinations and inspections are undertaken due to a requirement of legislation or code of practice. This includes defect identification, risk analysis and report writing to advise and enable the client to comply with their legal responsibilities, however Engineer Surveyors do not carry out any necessary maintenance work that they identify as needed.

Engineer Surveyors are usually home-based, where they plan their work and compile reports, so they are usually provided with all of the equipment needed to operate effectively, such as a computer, mobile telephone and personal protective equipment. Many employers provide for or supply a company vehicle. Daily duties require Engineer Surveyors to travel to client sites and carry out thorough examinations within an allocated geographical area.

Portable devices are often used at the point of activity to prepare reports and obtain technical guidance/procedures or technical specifications for reference during the inspections.

It can be physically and technically demanding and may require working at height or working in confined spaces, lifting and climbing in both hot and cold environments. It could involve exposure to noise and dust. No two days are the same.

Engineer Surveyors are self-motivated, and able to achieve targets working to tight timeframes.

Engineer Surveyors are allocated a portfolio of work by their employer relating to specific types of equipment that they are authorised to inspect, this is known as their "core range". Where clients request inspection of plant/machinery/equipment not included within their restricted core range, they notify a Technical Specialist responsible for that type of plant/machinery/equipment so it can be inspected by someone with the correct level of competence. It is important that they understand the boundaries of their authority.

An Engineer Surveyor must be able to carry out all of the core duties listed below and also demonstrate the specialist requirements in ONE of the following job specific roles.
Option 1 Engineer Surveyor (Mechanical) – Will specialise in mechanical plant/equipment/machinery which typically may include pressure vessels, power presses and lifting equipment.
Option 2: Engineer Surveyor (Electrical) - Will specialise in electrical plant/equipment/machinery which typically may include electrical fixed wiring, portable devices and electrical inspections in hazardous areas such as petrol stations.. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with clients at every level within an organisation, from maintenance personnel to operations managers and directors. They typically interact remotely (rather than face-to-face) with colleagues as part of a team, reporting to a regional team leader. They may be required to interact with Government authorities such as the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities. They are usually required to communicate with technical specialists for guidance and support relating to the specific plant or equipment being inspected.. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for - Ensuring legal compliance in accordance with workplace legislation with respect to inspection activities.
- Maintaining technical competence in their field of expertise.
- Keeping themselves safe.
- Keeping others safe.

Therefore this is a very responsible role..

Typical job titles include:

Competent person Crane inspector Electrical inspector Engineer surveyor Engineering inspector Lev inspector Lift inspector Loler inspector Power press inspector Statutory inspector

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements for this occupation are a level 3 qualification in a relevant engineering subject and a minimum of 3 year’s experience within a relevant field of Engineering.

Core occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Liaise and communicate with clients to provide guidance and information about any defects in their equipment

K4 K5 K8 K9 K10 K11 K15

S2 S4 S8 S9 S11 S14

B1 B4 B6 B12 B13

Duty 2 Formulate and produce clearly written, technically accurate inspection reports

K1 K2 K6 K8 K9 K14 K16

S2 S5 S8 S9 S17

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B8 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 3 Manage inspection activities to ensure they are carried out in the most efficient manner

K1 K2 K4 K5 K7 K8 K15 K16

S4 S8 S9 S10 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B9 B10 B11 B13

Duty 4 Identify additional equipment that requires statutory inspection

K1 K2 K9

S10 S17

B1 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12

Duty 5 Act on behalf of the company making full use of technical expertise when required in order to advise clients and stakeholders regarding inspection requirements

K1 K2 K4 K5 K8 K9 K14 K15 K16

S4 S8 S9 S10 S11 S14 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 6 Carry out site specific risk assessments and create and apply method statements

K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K15 K16

S7 S8 S9 S10 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 7 Use operational data to manage weekly work schedule in an efficient and cost effective way

K8

S4 S9 S10 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B8 B9 B10 B11 B13

Duty 14 Undertake and record Continuous Professional Development

K1 K2 K9 K14

S2 S18

B1 B3 B4 B5 B8

Option duties

Mechanical duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 8 Identify mechanical equipment that requires inspection and ensure plant/machinery/equipment not included within the Engineers restricted core range of items authorised to inspect are not inspected but notified to a Technical Specialist responsible for that type of plant/machinery/equipment

K1 K2 K4 K5 K7 K8 K9 K15

S4 S8 S9 S10 S14 S15 S16 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 9 Carry out inspections/thorough examinations of a restricted range of mechanical plant/machinery/equipment within the Engineer Surveyors limits of competence and core range in accordance with organisation's written procedure. Inspections carried out in accordance with relevant Regulations to which the Engineer Surveyor is authorised by the employer to undertake. Examples typically include the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

K1 K2 K3 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K14 K15 K19

S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S8 S9 S10 S11 S13 S15 S16 S17 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 10 Identify defects in mechanical equipment and categorise them appropriately

K1 K2 K3 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K14 K15 K17 K20

S1 S2 S3 S6 S8 S10 S11 S13 S15 S16 S17 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 15 Carry out pre-use inspections of their core allocation of mechanical plant/machinery/equipment to assess general condition to establish if an inspection can be completed in full

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K14 K15 K16

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 17 Carry out pre-use inspections of mechanical plant/machinery/equipment within the core range that may be required to carry out the inspections to ensure it is fit for purpose. This includes but not limited to items such as pressure vessels, power presses and lifting equipment

K1 K2 K3 K6 K9 K12 K14

S1 S2 S3 S6 S7

B2 B3 B4 B5 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Electrical duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 11 Identify electrical equipment that requires inspection and ensure equipment not included within the Engineer Surveyor's restricted core range of items authorised to inspect are not inspected but notified to a Technical Specialist responsible for that type of plant/machinery/equipment

K1 K2 K4 K5 K7 K8 K9 K15 K18

S4 S8 S9 S10 S14 S15 S16 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 12 Carry out Inspections of a restricted range of electrical equipment with the Engineer Surveyors limits of competence and within their core range in accordance with the organisation's written procedure. Inspections are carried out in accordance with relevant Regulations such as the Electricity at Work Regulations and for which the Engineer Surveyor is authorised by the employer to undertake

K1 K2 K3 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K13 K14 K15 K17 K21

S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S15 S16 S17 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 13 Identify defects in electrical equipment and categorise them appropriately

K1 K2 K3 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K13 K14 K15 K18 K21

S1 S2 S3 S6 S8 S10 S11 S12 S15 S16 S17 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 16 Carry out pre-use inspection of their core allocation of electrical plan/machinery/equipment to assess general condition to establish if an inspection can be completed in full

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K13 K14 K15 K16

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 18 Carry out pre-use inspections of electrical plant/machinery/equipment within the core range that may be required to carry out the inspections to ensure it is fit for purpose. This includes but not limited to items such as electrical fixed wiring and portable appliances as well as inspections in hazardous areas such as petrol stations

K1 K2 K3 K6 K9 K13 K14

S1 S2 S3 S6 S10 S11

B2 B3 B4 B5 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Company inspection procedures and processes Back to Duty

K2: The equipment being inspected and how it is used Back to Duty

K3: Use a range of measurement tools and equipment to carry out inspections such as Vernier Calipers, Pressure Gauges, electrical test equipment, flow meters - where appropriate Back to Duty

K4: Management techniques including customer relationship management, negotiating and influencing techniques, commercial awareness, conflict management and assertiveness techniques Back to Duty

K5: Roles and responsibilities within the organisation, team dynamics and their own boundaries of authority Back to Duty

K6: Report writing tools and note taking techniques and correct use of Systems International (SI) units of abbreviations Back to Duty

K7: Risk assessment methodology and appropriate control measures Back to Duty

K8: How and when to use appropriate IT tools, including spreadsheets and word processing packages Back to Duty

K9: Appropriate legislation and standards including all relevant Health and Safety requirements Back to Duty

K10: Appropriate mathematical problem solving tools including engineering mathematics such as calculus, algebraic transformation techniques ,logarithmic and exponential functions and algebraic methods, trigonometric functions, the radian measure, trigonometric identities and graphs Back to Duty

K11: Engineering science, including the behavioural characteristics of elements of static engineering systems, the behavioural characteristics of elements of dynamic engineering systems Back to Duty

K12: Mechanical Materials science, including the properties, characteristics and selection criteria of materials from tests and data sources including, metallic, ceramic, polymer and composite material Back to Duty

K13: Principles of electrical engineering, including technical drawings, circuits, distribution boards, wiring, measurement and testing of electrical circuits Back to Duty

K14: A detailed technical awareness of the equipment being inspected Back to Duty

K15: Safe access and egress Back to Duty

K16: Effective oral and written communication strategies, the terminology used in this occupation and the appropriate format of inspection reports Back to Duty

K17: Installation methods and practices Back to Duty

K18: AC and DC theory and how this can be used to solve electrical and electronic engineering problems Back to Duty

K19: Principles of materials engineering, including the relationships between manufacturing processes and material behaviour, the impact of heat treatment, liquid processing and mechanical processing methods Back to Duty

K20: The in-service causes of failure of engineering materials, including the most common causes of in-service failure and appropriate remedial action Back to Duty

K21: Health and safety requirements which apply when inspecting, testing and commissioning principles of electrical installations. (Requirements for inspecting and testing electrical installations, requirements for the safe inspection of electrical installations, requirements for the safe testing of electrical installations, inspection and testing procedures of electrical installations.) Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Carry out inspections of engineering equipment in accordance with company policies, relevant legislation and standards Back to Duty

S2: Identify equipment defects - both common and complex - and take appropriate action to advise a compliant outcome Back to Duty

S3: Use appropriate inspection equipment Back to Duty

S4: Use negotiating and influencing techniques to build and maintain customer relationships Back to Duty

S5: Prepare succinct inspection reports using appropriate IT systems Back to Duty

S6: Use engineering principles to reach an overall conclusion about the condition of the equipment Back to Duty

S7: Prepare Risk Assessments and apply Safe Systems of Work Back to Duty

S8: Identify and manage risks of health, safety and welfare Back to Duty

S9: Communicate professionally, effectively and appropriately - both verbally and in writing - with all stakeholders Back to Duty

S10: Manage own time and tasks Back to Duty

S11: Apply engineering science, to identify the behavioural characteristics of elements of static engineering systems, the behavioural characteristics of elements of dynamic engineering systems and AC and DC theory and use this knowledge to identify equipment defects and suggest solutions Back to Duty

S12: Apply the appropriate electrical engineering science principles when inspecting, testing and commissioning an electrical installation, to reach overall conclusions Back to Duty

S13: Apply the appropriate mechanical engineering science principles when inspecting a mechanical installation, to reach overall conclusions Back to Duty

S14: Manage and diffuse potential conflicts Back to Duty

S15: Work safely at height Back to Duty

S16: Read and interpret drawings, data and other relevant information Back to Duty

S17: Interpret appropriate engineering mathematical formulae and compare results with actual on-board readings, data/calculations and inspection findings Back to Duty

S18: Work competently and safely in the workplace to meet regulatory and legislative requirements Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Strong work ethic: Positive attitude, motivated by engineering, dependable, ethical, responsible and reliable Back to Duty

B2: Logical approach: Able to structure a plan and develop activities following a logical thought process, but also able to quickly "think on feet" when working through them Back to Duty

B3: Problem solving orientation: Identifies issues quickly, enjoys solving complex problems and applies appropriate solutions. Has a strong desire to push to ensure the true root cause of any problem is found and a solution is identifies which prevents recurrence Back to Duty

B4: Quality focus: Follows rules, procedures and principles in ensuring work completed is fit for purpose and pays attention to detail. Checks for errors Back to Duty

B5: Personal responsibility and resilience: Motivated to succeed. Accountable and persistent to complete task Back to Duty

B6: Clear communicator: Uses a variety of communication methods to give and receive information accurately and in a positive manner Back to Duty

B7: Team player: Not only plays own part but able to work and communicate clearly and effectively within a team and interacts with and helps others when required. Does so in a respectful manner Back to Duty

B8: Maintains competence and keeps pace with change: Continuous improvement in driving effectiveness and efficiency and maintenance of regulations and rules Back to Duty

B9: Adaptability: Able to adjust to different conditions, technologies, situations and environments Back to Duty

B10: Self-motivation: A "self-starter" who wants to give their best, sets themselves challenging targets and can make their own decisions Back to Duty

B11: Commitment: Able to commit to beliefs, goals and standards of their own employer and to the wider industry and its professional standards Back to Duty

B12: Independence and impartiality: Maintains independence and impartiality at all times Back to Duty

B13: Health and Safety: Maintains a health and safety focus at all times, challenging unacceptable behaviour Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.


Additional details

Occupational Level:

4

Duration (months):

24

Review

this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

Status: Approved for delivery
Level: 4
Reference: ST0847
Version: 1.1
Date updated: 05/04/2024
Approved for delivery: 24 August 2020
Route: Engineering and manufacturing
Typical duration to gateway: 24 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £12000
Options: Mechanical, Electrical
LARS Code: 595
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: Allianz UK, Bureau Veritas, Zurich, HSB Engineering Insurance Limited, British Engineering Services Ltd, Responsive ltd, Code A Weld Inspection Ltd, Axiom Engineering Associates Ltd, PHS Compliance, SGS

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date Latest end date
1.1 End-point assessment plan revised. 05/04/2024 Not set Not set
1.0 Approved for delivery 24/08/2020 04/04/2024 Not set

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