Pipelayer

Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Pipelayer; Tailman

Tasks

• Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.
• Dig trenches to desired or required depths, by hand or using trenching tools.
• Cut pipes to required lengths.
• Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
• Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
• Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
• Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
• Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
• Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
• Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
• Tap and drill holes into pipes to introduce auxiliary lines or devices.
• Operate mechanized equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes.
• Train or supervise others in laying pipe.
• Locate existing pipes needing repair or replacement, using magnetic or radio indicators.

Knowledge

• Building and Construction
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Control Precision
• Oral Comprehension
• Static Strength
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Information Ordering
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Multilimb Coordination
• Rate Control
• Reaction Time
• Trunk Strength
• Stamina
• Extent Flexibility
• Near Vision
• Depth Perception
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity