Fencing installer

Reference Number: ST0366

Details of standard

Occupational profile

The fence installer is responsible for the installation of different types of fences, gates and barriers, across a broad cross-section of different environments from domestic and agricultural, through to commercial, industrial, high security and infrastructure (e.g. highways, rail and utilities).

The areas within Fencing are:

• General fencing
• Perimeter security systems
• Vehicle restraint systems
• Gates, doors and barriers

With the diversity of the industry, there are a wide range of career opportunities. The fence installer works to detailed specifications and standards to ensure correct and safe installation. The fence installer must have the ability to read and understand specifications and plans, prepare sites and select relevant materials to carry out installation, maintenance or repairs to meet the relevant contract requirements. The work will include using a wide variety of materials, tools and machinery.

Requirements

Knowledge

A fence installer will understand:

• Different fence categories and types, construction materials and working methods
• Health, safety and environmental requirements for the individual, company and location and how to apply these requirements to working practices, including identifying and reducing hazards and risks, in line with current legislation and safe systems of work
• The hazards associated with typical working locations which range from remote agricultural sites, residential and urban, railways, highways, heavy industry, utilities and prisons
• Safe and effective selection, preparation and use of hand-held tools, power tools and mechanical plant
• Different underground services and how to locate and identify them
• The importance of establishing correct lines and levels for fences and gates
• How to select, store and safely handle materials and components
• How to repair or reinstate defective or faulty/damaged fence systems
• The foundation requirements for the type of fencing being installed
• How to install different fence components and systems
• How to read and interpret basic fence drawings, plans and specifications
• The principles of measurement and how to apply them
• The requirements for quality control and the completion of documentation (e.g. site diaries and quality control forms)
• The importance of systems that record and measure costs

Skills

A fence installer will be able to:

• Maintain good standards of practice in health, safety and environmental awareness, including fencing operations and site safety
• Select, prepare and use hand-held tools, power tools and mechanical plant safely and effectively for the installation of fences
• Locate and identify underground services to support fencing installation
• Establish fencing lines and levels
• Select, store and safely handle materials and components for fencing installation
• Repair or reinstate defective or faulty/damaged fences, posts or components
• Construct suitable foundations for the type of fence being installed
• Install fence components
• Communicate effectively both verbally and written
• Maintain fencing records, site diaries and quality control forms
• Read fencing plans or specifications and follow written and verbal instructions

Behaviours

• Strong work ethic, including reliability, pride in work, attention to detail and customer focus
• Demonstrate safety conscious behaviour and promote a positive health, safety and environmental culture
• Work safely, minimising risk and reporting all unsafe conditions and concerns
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Willingness to learn and develop existing skills, and learn new skills to develop competence
• Flexible working practices, with good time management
• Ability to use own initiative to make decisions and solve problems, escalating where appropriate

(Professional) recognition and progression

This standard will deliver sufficient competence, underpinning knowledge and understanding in the identified job role to allow the individual to meet the requirements of the Fencing Industry Skills Standard/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (FISS/CSCS) or other industry affiliated schemes

Qualifications

Apprentices without level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for level 2 English and Maths prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Level: This standard is at Level 2
Duration: Typically 18 months
Review: After 3 years

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