Construction Plant Mechanic

Also known as:

Mechanic, Plant
Plant Mechanic

Introduction

Construction plant mechanics service and maintain all the equipment and machinery used on construction sites. This includes mobile equipment such as diggers, cranes, bulldozers and dumper trucks, as well as equipment that usually stays in one place such as electrical generators, pumps, air compressors and even massive concrete mixing installations.

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Work Activities

A construction plant mechanic's work can be very varied. For example, one day they could be working on an excavator and the next on a crane.

Ideally, each machine should have a preventative maintenance schedule. After a specified length of time, for example monthly or quarterly, the plant mechanic does a series of checks, inspecting for wear and damage, replacing parts known to have a limited life or which are found to be damaged, and renewing the oil.

Breakdowns normally take priority over maintenance. If a machine breaks down while it is in use, the plant mechanic talks with the operator, identifies the fault and diagnoses what may have caused it. The mechanic repairs the faulty part or replaces it with a new one. The machine is re-assembled and checked to make sure it is running safely again.

Mechanics handle mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic aspects of the machines. They use a wide range of hand and power tools and measuring devices, and refer to technical drawings and manuals. They record work they have done, and time spent, on daily log sheets.

Construction sites can be in the middle of a city or deep in the countryside, in Britain or overseas. Mechanics are based in a workshop where they can service some machines under cover but they also do some repairs on-site.

They cope with cold, heat, wind, rain, snow, mud, dust, dirt, oil and grease. They wear overalls or boiler suits, boots with protective toecaps and protective helmets.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a plant mechanic, you need to be physically fit and active, and have stamina and nimble fingers. You must be able to cope with lifting, bending and stretching. Good eye to hand co-ordination is important in fitting and adjusting.

You should be logical and patient in tracing faults, and methodical in organising tasks, especially when taking apart and re-assembling machines. The ability to work at heights is important for some tasks, such as repairing cranes.

Teamwork is an essential part of working in construction because each person relies on another person to carry out his or her particular task safely and efficiently.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Construction plant mechanics earn £300 - £360 a week, rising to £440 - £540. Higher earners can make around £580 a week..

They usually work a 39-hour week. Overtime, including Saturdays, may be available.

Employers include construction contractors, plant equipment and machinery suppliers, manufacturers, plant importers and distributors and plant hire companies.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant skills and abilities gained in a related area, such as vehicle mechanics, engineering maintenance or the construction industry, are an advantage.

If you do not have any qualifications but are already working as a plant mechanic or are employed in a related area, you can have your skills and knowledge assessed through the Accreditation of Prior Learning scheme. This would begin with an interview to encourage you to think about the skills you already have, and to help you prepare a portfolio of evidence for SVQ assessment.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

• 2% of people in occupations such as construction plant mechanic work part-time.
• 4% have flexible hours.
• 2% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments