This apprenticeship standard has been approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. However, starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) has obtained Ofqual recognition. Once the EPAO has obtained Ofqual recognition, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.
This occupation is found in the construction, heritage facilities management, infrastructure, transportation, heavy industry including utilities and petrochemical sectors. Steeplejacks are needed when conventional modes of access have been considered but deemed unfeasible. They typically work for specialist contractors. The range of size of this kind of employer around the UK varies from micro employers up to large employers.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to conduct routine inspections, maintenance tasks and minor planned and responsive repair works to buildings and structures at height. The principal skill and benefit of steeplejack services centres around the complexity of access to a structure. Steeplejacks erect high ladders, work in a team to build steeplejack scaffolding, set up various motorised access equipment and climb and abseil structures using various methods such as rope access.
Steeplejacks work outdoors at varying heights, in all weather conditions. The work is physically demanding and includes rigging, climbing, and carrying ladders, tools, and safety equipment at height. Steeplejacks wear protective clothing and headgear.
The hours of work vary. Shifts and overtime, including evenings and weekends, may be required.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their immediate team, project managers, supervisors and safety representatives, contractors, site management and safety teams which could include a senior or craft steeplejack providing advice and guidance They could also interact with clients or their representatives, materials, and equipment suppliers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, using equipment, materials and tools to access work at height. Steeplejacks follow method statements and safe systems of work, liaise and agree work areas with construction site management teams and or building managers and client representatives.
They are responsible for recognising their own level of competence, and report back to their supervisor or manager. Management will make the decision to amend the works required within the competence of the operative or assign the job to a craft steeplejack or more experienced professional. Steeplejacks may be required to establish their own safety equipment to ensure safe access, safe system of work and safe egress, along with protection of the public or building users, in line with statutory rules, regulations, company protocols and guidance.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
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Duty 1 Work in compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of self and others at all times. Report in a timely manner any non-compliances against the construction programme to the appropriate person. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 2 Select, use, and maintain tools, components, and equipment appropriate to the task being carried out. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 3 Erect ladders, work platforms, rig cradles, hoisting equipment and attach slings, bosun seats, hooks and guide ropes using appropriate tools and machinery. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 4 Erect steeplejack scaffolding using appropriate tools and machinery. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 5 Carry out routine inspections to buildings and structures using steeplejacking techniques. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 6 Carry out routine maintenance to built structures at height using steeeplejack access methods. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 7 Complete accurate records of work undertaken in accordance with company policies and procedures. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 8 Work to the brief, adapting to changes in schedule and requirements where necessary. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 9 Collaborate with stakeholders including clients and other construction trades. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 10 Maintain a clear and safe worksite at all times, disposing of waste appropriately and sustainably. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
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Duty 11 Carry out continuous professional development to maintain knowledge of current and future developments affecting the role. |
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26 K27 K28 K29 K30 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 |
K1: Health and safety regulations, standards and guidance relevant to the occupation and the individual's responsibilities.
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K2: Steeplejack regulatory and legislative requirements and their impact on individual’s responsibilities.
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K3: Principles of site induction and toolbox talks.
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K4: Safe systems of work, risk assessment and method statements: interpretation and application of control measures.
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K5: Personal protective equipment (PPE): types and tethering techniques.
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K6: Steeplejack height access techniques: laddering, motorised access equipment, and bosun seats.
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K7: BS7985 steeplejack rope access techniques.
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K8: Anchors for steeplejacking: types, selection, testing, removable and re-usable fixings.
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K9: Anchor for steeplejacking: fixing and removal techniques.
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K10: Types and uses of steeplejack scaffolding.
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K11: Methods of erecting and dismantling steeplejacking scaffolding.
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K12: The range of structure types and characteristic uses, their common methods of construction and typical defects, and the impact that steeple jacking operations might have on building safety.
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K13: The types, uses and safeguards of steeplejacking height access equipment: ladders, bosun seats, motorised access.
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K14: Common hand and power tools used in routine steeplejacking tasks including safeguarding and tethering techniques.
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K15: Equipment inspection methods: pre-use and post use checks, visual and functional checks.
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K16: Techniques to move and handle steeplejack materials, components and equipment manually and with lifting equipment.
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K17: Height access equipment storage techniques.
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K18: Routine maintenance techniques applied to built structures at height using steeplejack access methods.
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K19: Principles of inspecting buildings and built structures.
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K20: Methods of quality assuring own work.
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K21: The importance of customer service to their organisation, how to provide feedback to ensure customers are informed.
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K22: Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from documentation: drawings, specifications and maintenance plans.
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K23: Environmental regulations and requirements: Environmental Protection Act, safe disposal of waste, minimising waste, re-use and re-cycle, waste contractors permit, energy efficiency, and contribution to net zero outcomes.
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K24: Team working techniques.
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K25: Principles of equity, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
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K26: Well-being: mental and physical health considerations in self and others and how to access support.
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K27: Verbal communication techniques and steeplejack terminology.
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K28: The processes and importance of escalating issues beyond their level of competence and authority.
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K29: Employment types - self-employed and employed, small business start up principles, tax responsibilities, roles and responsibilities.
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K30: Written communication techniques: paper based and digital.
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S1: Comply with health and safety regulations, standards and guidance.
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S2: Comply with safe systems of work and apply control measures.
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S3: Organise, maintain and reinstate the work area to safeguard themselves and others, including the use of signage and barriers.
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S4: Comply with environmental regulations and procedures. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
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S5: Select and use PPE and PPE tethering techniques.
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S6: Comply with industry regulatory and legislative requirements and standards.
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S7: Interpret information from documentation for example, drawings, specifications and maintenance plans.
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S8: Escalates issues beyond their level of competence and authority.
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S9: Select and use tools and equipment for steeplejacking maintenance tasks, including applying safeguards and tethers.
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S10: Select working at height equipment for accessing height including ladders, motorised access equipment, bosun seats and apply safeguards.
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S11: Inspect working at height equipment, including pre-use and post-use checks, visual and functional checks.
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S12: Move and handle steeplejacking material, components and equipment using manual and mechanical techniques.
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S13: Select, fix, and test steeplejack anchors.
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S14: Remove steeplejack anchors.
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S15: Use steeplejacking equipment and techniques to access work at height, including, laddering, motorised access, bosun seats.
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S16: Access height using BS7985 rope access techniques.
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S17: Store working at height equipment.
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S18: Work collaboratively to erect and dismantle steeplejack scaffolding.
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S19: Conduct routine inspections to structures at height using steeple jacking height access techniques.
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S20: Conduct routine maintenance to structures at height using steeple jack height access techniques. For example, cleaning gutters and minor repairs.
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S21: Record and report information.
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S22: Communicate with others verbally for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers.
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S23: Quality assure own work.
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S24: Apply team working techniques.
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B1: Puts health safety and wellbeing first.
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B2: Take ownership of given work.
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B3: Team-focused to meet work goals.
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B4: Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice.
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B5: Considers the environment and sustainability.
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B6: Supports equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace.
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B7: Adapt to new and changing situations.
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English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 16/08/2024 | Not set |
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