Steeplejack Employment Contract UK

Responsibilities reflected in the contract

• Inspect and repair high chimneys, towers, spires and associated fixtures within competence.
• Set up and use authorised ladders, platforms, ropes or suspended access systems.
• Complete pre-use checks and maintain the planned rescue capability.
• Monitor wind, lightning, visibility and surface conditions throughout the task.
• Secure tools and materials and maintain dropped-object and public exclusions.
• Photograph defects and protect fragile, unstable or historic fabric.
• Stop and report structural change, unsafe access or conditions beyond the agreed scope.

A realistic working scenario

Close inspection reveals loose masonry above the planned repair area while wind approaches the access limit. The steeplejack makes the area below safe, descends and reports evidence for a revised plan.

Outputs to agree

• controlled high-level inspection and repair
• secured or reported unstable fabric
• clear visual evidence from inaccessible areas

Records and evidence

• Access and rescue plan.
• Weather and equipment check.
• Condition photographs.
• Repair materials and completion.
• Work records.
• Handover notes.

Reporting relationship

Typically reports to Line Manager or Department Manager. Confirm the employer's actual reporting structure in the builder.

Authority and escalation

• The steeplejack controls personal access within the plan. Extending structural repairs, removing historic fabric or exceeding weather and rescue limits needs responsible approval.
• Obtain approval before committing expenditure, changing contractual commitments or making regulated or staffing decisions outside the assigned role.

Tools and systems

• Site records.
• Project systems.
• Risk assessment records.

Workplace context

• Construction sites, project offices, client sites and approved work locations.

Training and certification

• Complete employer-required health and safety training.

Contract priorities

• specialist height competence
• rescue readiness
• weather monitoring
• public and dropped-object protection

Information the employer should prepare

• the structures, inspections, repairs and specialist access methods covered
• the travel, remote sites, shutdowns and seasonal working expectations
• the height, rope, ladder, lifting and rescue competence required
• the access equipment, communications, PPE and tool restraints provided
• the weather limits, exclusion arrangements and emergency contacts
• the condition, material, photograph and completion records required
• the structural or conservation authority approving discoveries and scope changes