Lightning Protection Operative
Careers Explorer:
Make sure that buildings and other structures are safe if they’re struck by lightning.
Overview
As a Lightning Protection Operative (aka Lightning Conductor Engineer, Fitter or Installer), you’re often found in the construction, facilities management, heritage, infrastructure, transportation, utilities, petrochemical and energy production/distribution sectors.
Your main job is to install and/or maintain lightning protection and earthing systems to buildings and infrastructure to reduce damage to structures and their contents – reducing the risk of injury to people in, or working on, the equipment that is being protected.
You could work on industrial chimneys, power station cooling towers, church spires, high-rise buildings and bridges.
Your work is often conducted outside in all weathers, during all sorts of hours and at height.
Top 5 Tasks
- Install lightning conductors
- Protect historic buildings
- Work with electricians to protect computers and other electronic equipment
- Carry out repairs, maintenance and renovation work
- Assemble and dismantle equipment.
Salary
A Lightning Protection Operative starting out will typically earn around £20,000 and those at a more senior and master craft level will earn much more, approximately £30,000.
Those self-employed set their own pay rates and salaries typically range depending on location, employer and overtime.
Am I Suited?
- Excellent communicator
- Flexible
- Self-motivator
- Head for heights
- Logical thinker
Someone who carries out repairs on buildings and structures to make them safe is often referred to as Steeplejack.
Qualifications
You would often do an apprenticeship run by Construction Skills and the Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Training Group.
There are no formal qualifications required but most employers value a good general education including English and maths. Some employers may ask for qualifications.
You usually have to take an aptitude test including literacy, maths and problem-solving assessments as part of the entry process.
