Profession sewerage maintenance technician

Sewerage maintenance technicians inspect sewers and pipeline systems. They do this by using moving video cameras, whose recordings tell them whether they need to perform any maintenance and repair on these types of systems.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional
• Conventional / Realistic
• Enterprising / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Types of pipelines

  Know various types of pipelines and their different usages. Differentiate between pipelines used to transport goods over short and long distances, and understand their respective feeding systems.

Skills

• Inspect pipelines

  Walk flow lines to identify damage or leaks; use electronic detection equipment and conduct visual inspections.

• Examine civil structures

  Perform non-destructive testing on civil structures such as bridges and pipelines in order to find abnormalities or damage.

• Detect flaws in pipeline infrastructure

  Detect flaws in pipeline infrastructure during construction or over the passage of time such as construction defects, corrosion, ground movement, hot-tap made by error, and others.

• Inspect sewers

  Inspect sewage drains in order to detect explosive gases using gas analysis equipment.

• Use testing equipment

  Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.

• Maintain septic tanks

  Maintain effluent sewer systems which use septic tanks to collect sewage, and separate solid waste from it, from residential buildings or organisations. Perform routine maintenance tasks and cleaning duties, identify and repair faults.

• Follow health and safety procedures in construction

  Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

• Recognise signs of corrosion

  Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.

• Secure working area

  Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.

• Maintain test equipment

  Maintain equipment used for testing the quality of systems and products.

• Prevent pipeline deterioration

  Ensure the conservation of pipelines by undertaking adequate maintenance of the system and its coating properties. Prevent corrosion formation, leaks, and other problems.

• Prevent damage to utility infrastructure

  Consult utility companies or plans on the location of any utility infrastructure that may interfere with a project or be damaged by it. Take the necessary steps to avoid damage.

• Record test data

  Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.

• Repair pipelines

  Conduct maintenance and repair work on pipelines to prevent or remedy damages using, if necessary, remote-controlled robots.

• Supervise sewerage systems construction

  Supervise the implementation of correct sewerage system plans and methods during construction, installation, and maintenance of sewerage systems to ensure conformity to the approved plans and safety of operations.

• Test sensors

  Test sensors using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.

• Maintain records of maintenance interventions

  Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.

• Use pipeline video equipment

  Handle movable video cameras which visually inspect sewage systems and pipelines. This camera is attached via a long cable entwined upon a winch. Analyse the footage to see if any repair or maintenance is needed.

• Assemble manufactured pipeline parts

  Assemble parts and components made for pipelines in companies or sites. Construct pipeline infrastructures or re-assemble parts that were taken out for repair. Use welding equipment and other tools in assembly activities.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB