This apprenticeship has been withdrawn

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the specialist damp control and timber preservation sectors.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out a high standard of technical work relating to damp control and timber preservation issues. For example, rising dampness, penetrating dampness, atmospheric moisture, insect or fungi attack. The operative would need the necessary specialist skills to be able to effectively treat these issues.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a team of operatives, specialist damp and timber surveyors, clients, other trades, including electricians, general building contractors, etc.  Specialist work is overseen by someone with an appropriate level of knowledge and expertise. The role may also interact with others including housing associations, councils or local authorities.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for carrying out damp control and timber preservation works, lifting and moving materials, using a range of hand held tools and equipment, carrying preparation and reinstatement works and being able to carry out site clearance activities such as the removal of waste and the storage of excess materials. Whilst undertaking these activities, operatives are expected to adhere to strict codes of conduct and safe working practices including wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, following the correct safe systems and taking action to minimise risk to self and others.The operative would need the relevant knowledge to be able to identify different types of building construction and type (for instance, different methods and materials used in construction) and adjust their working methods accordingly. The work carried out by a specialist damp and timber operative is unique in relation to the wider construction industry to prevent the deterioration of the fabric of the building. The materials, products and techniques that are used have been developed specifically to address the issues of the treatment of timber and damp above ground in buildings, including methods of application that work sympathetically with existing buildings. The role of the specialist damp and timber operative is vital in ensuring the relevant corrective treatment is carried out to the property to make sure that the property is not affected by the same issues in the future. The operative will need to understand all types of construction from foundation to roof in order to carry out the necessary treatments. They will have basic skills in plastering, joinery and bricklaying in order to make minor repairs to damaged elements. This will extend no further than minor repair work when necessary. For example the removal and replacement of skirting boards or flooring following timber treatment; or the removal and replacement of a small number of bricks following the installation of a telescopic air vent; or a small area of plastering.  The operative has no supervisory responsibility. If the works relate to a listed building they will be supervised by someone with the appropriate level of knowledge of listed buildings and any remedial works will be undertaken by experts in that area. If major plastering, brickwork or joinery is required companies would contract in a damp and timber operative to carry out the required damp control or timber treatment. Only in these situations would there be interfacing with other trades. If an operative were to encounter a situation where extensive work in these areas was required they would feedback to their supervisor/company/client and advise accordingly.  Operatives conduct and behaviour is particularly important as they represent not only the individual organisations undertaking the construction and renewals activities but the industry as a whole.

Typical job titles include:

Damp and timber operative Damp and timber technician Multi skilled technician Preservation technician Remedial technician Site operative Site technician Technician

Occupation duties

Duty Criteria for measuring performance KSBs

Duty 1 Follow instructions to minimise risk and ensure the safety of the team and customer

Delivered in line with customer expectation and employer codes of conduct.

Understand the specification/instructions given.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards and relevant legislation and procedures.

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Be able to take the appropriate action in the event of bats being discovered during the course of preparation and/or treatment.

K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K11

S1 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 2 Carry out treatment for the control of rising damp

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents (Hygroscopic Salts and Rising Dampness; Plastering in Association with Damp-Proof Coursing; Chemical Damp-Proof Course Insertion - the attendant problems;Guidance Note Party Wall Act 1996; Code of Practice for the Investigation and Control of Dampness in Buildings) and BS6575.

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Install a chemical damp proof course using the correct materials and equipment, at the correct height, carrying out any necessary specialist replastering internally to height specified

K1 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10

S1 S2 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 3 Applying an external water repellent (treatment for lateral water penetration)

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents.

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Prepare wall surfaces and apply an external water repellent using the correct materials and equipment, including erecting safe working platforms.

K1 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11

S1 S2 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 4 Install a damp proof membrane

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice (Damp-proofing Barriers - Tanking in Association with Chemical Damp-proofing courses) and Guidance documents.

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Prepare wall surfaces and fix cavity drain membrane to the wall in accordance with manufacturer's instructions in readiness to receive plaster directly or dot and dab fixed plasterboard.

K1 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10

S1 S2 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 5 Carry out wood boring insect treatment

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents (Code of Practice for the Investigation and Control of Wood Destroying Insects and Fungi in Buildings, Wood Destroying Insects in Buildings).

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Calculate the amount of timber treatment/biocide product required, prepare treatment and apply with correct equipment.

Display the relevant hazard warning signs.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 6 Carry out Death Watch Beetle treatment

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents (Code of Practice for the Investigation and Control of Wood Destroying Insects and Fungi in Buildings, Wood Destroying Insects in Buildings).

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Calculate the amount of timber treatment/biocide product required, prepare treatment and apply with correct equipment.

Display the relevant hazard warning signs.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 7 Carry out Dry Rot (Serpula lacrymans) treatment

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents (Code of Practice for the Investigation and Control of Wood Destroying Insects and Fungi in Buildings, Fungal Decay in Buildings).

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Carry our relevant preparations and precautions as required, screen off areas where exposure will take place, recognise affected timber and ensure area is well ventilated during the exposure works, calculate the amount of biocide product required, prepare treatment and apply with correct equipment.

Display the relevant hazard warning signs.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 8 Carry out Wet Rot treatment

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents (Code of Practice for the Investigation and Control of Wood Destroying Insects and Fungi in Buildings, Fungal Decay in Buildings).

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Carry our relevant preparations and precautions as required, screen off areas where exposure will take place, recognise affected timber and ensure area is well ventilated during the exposure works, calculate the amount of biocide product required, prepare treatment and apply with correct equipment.

Display the relevant hazard warning signs.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 9 Carry out treatment for condensation

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents (Recognition and Causes of Condensation).

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Identifying mould growth associated with condensation.

K1 K2 K5 K6 K7 K8 K10

S1 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S13

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 10 Identify different types of building construction and terminology

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents (Guidance Note on the Party Wall Act).

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Identify different types of building construction and terminology, including timber roof construction, pitched roof coverings, foundation types, load bearing wall construction, timber frame constructed buildings, etc.

K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11

S1 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

Duty 11 Carry out necessary building repairs (treatment for lateral water penetration)

Delivered in line with the specification.

Delivered in line with customer expectations.

Delivered in line with timescale.

Delivered in line with cost.

Ensure work is carried out in line with industry standards - PCA Codes of Practice and Guidance documents.

Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is readily available prior to attending site.

Understand health and safety responsibilities, COSHH assessments, Risk Assessment, Material Data Safety Sheets, etc.

Understand treatment application plant and equipment, including small hand tools.

Review the specification of work, understand the type of work to be undertaken, check job lists, cutting lists, stock withdrawal, plant required and materials required.

Carry out necessary building repairs, including repair and renew floorboards, repair and renew joist ends, repair a timber stud partition, replace a decayed timber lintel, install a sub floor vent, infill small voids, correct way to dispose of waste.

K1 K3 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The principles of damp control and damp proofing, the treatment of condensation and specialist replastering Back to Duty

K2: The principles of timber treatment including the various timber treatment products, exposure and reinstatement works and joinery skills Back to Duty

K3: Identifying and understanding various building repairs including bricklaying and brickwork, floorboards, decayed joist ends and wall plates, removing existing timber floor at ground level, decaying timber lintel, small voids in a wall; and the associated waste disposal Back to Duty

K4: The various building construction and terminology including methods of construction from foundation to roof; roof construction, roof coverings, foundation types, load bearing wall construction, construction of a timber stud partition, how to identify a timber frame building, types of windows and doors Back to Duty

K5: How to work in accordance with the Property Care Association’s Codes of Practice and Best Practice Guidance documents, Industry Codes of Practice, British Standards, Manufacturer Material Safety Data Sheets and other guidance relevant to the occupation Back to Duty

K6: Responsibilities under relevant legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment 1998, Manual Handling Operations regulations 1992 and Construction Design Management 2015 Back to Duty

K7: Risk assessments, method statements, COSSH assessments, asbestos awareness and other official guidance required in order to undertake work Back to Duty

K8: Drawings, plans and specifications in order to identify what works are required Back to Duty

K9: How to prepare and operate specialist equipment such as caulking gun, electric spray/injection pump, pneumatic sprayers, trigger assembly spray lance, stair back spray and nozzle Back to Duty

K10: How to prepare and operate small hand and power tools such as circular saws, drills, angle grinders, nail guns Back to Duty

K11: Understand the environmental impact of treatments i.e. what to do if bats are discovered before or during treatment and who to report the discovery to Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Prepare and establish the work environment/preparing for a high standard of technical work Back to Duty

S2: Employ damp control techniques including the installation of a chemical damp proof course, apply an exterior wall surface water repellent, apply a cavity drain membrane as a dry lining system, the treatment of condensation and specialist replastering Back to Duty

S3: Employ timber treatment techniques including the application of timber treatment products, calculate the amount of timber treatment/biocide product needed to complete the work, exposure and reinstatement works and joinery skills Back to Duty

S4: Employ building repair techniques including bricklaying and brickwork, renew and repair floorboards, decayed joist ends and wall plates; remove existing timber floor at ground level; replace decayed timber lintel, timber floor trimmer spanning a bay; install a new sub floor air vent; infill small voids in a wall; correctly dispose of waste Back to Duty

S5: Apply appropriate health, safety and environmental procedures when working, moving, storing, lifting, handling and disposing of resources Back to Duty

S6: Plan, undertake and inspect work safely, efficiently and productively Back to Duty

S7: Read, interpret and work to drawings, specifications and relevant industry Codes of Practice and Best Practice Guidelines Back to Duty

S8: Work safely within the property identifying hazards and control measures (including fire prevention, working in confined spaces, use of appropriate signage/safety notices, screening of areas, safe working platforms) as required by legislation and industry standards to protect all parties and the property whilst works are undertaken Back to Duty

S9: Communicate effectively using oral and written communication methods Back to Duty

S10: Work effectively within a team environment, cooperating and supporting team members when required Back to Duty

S11: Use own time effectively in order to consistently complete work on time to agreed programmes Back to Duty

S12: Safely preparing and operating specialist equipment such as caulking gun, electric spray/injection pump, pneumatic sprayers, trigger assembly spray lance, stair back spray and nozzle Back to Duty

S13: Safely preparing and operating small hand and power tools such as circular saws, drills, angle grinders, nail guns Back to Duty

S14: Identifying and locating incoming services (i.e. position of stopcock, electrical fuse board, gas meter) to avoid loss of service Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Promote a positive safety culture in the working environment Back to Duty

B2: Be polite and courteous when dealing with colleagues, clients and the public Back to Duty

B3: Apply equality, diversity and inclusion in dealing with others Back to Duty

B4: Show a willingness to be adaptable, adjusting to changing work instructions Back to Duty

B5: Display the confidence to resist pressures to work following unsafe practices Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths


Additional details

Occupational Level:

2

Duration (months):

12

Review

Status: Withdrawn
Level: 2
Reference: ST0670
Route: Construction and the built environment
Minimum duration to gateway: 12 months (this does not include EPA period)
Employers involved in creating the standard: Rentokil, Shaw Preservation, Richardson & Starling, Timberwise, Remedial Treatment Consultants, Brick-Tie, Anglian Tectonics, Anglia Property Preservation, South East Timber & Damp, Marsden Damp Service

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
Withdrawn Not set Not set

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