Pipeline Construction Inspector

A Pipeline Construction Inspector ensures the safety and efficiency of piping systems. Used in a variety of industries, pipelines serve as an efficient way to move a product, such as oil or natural gas, from one location to another. These pipelines are buried beneath the surface, and if not constructed properly, there could be dire effects on the environment as well as the consumer.

Looking for ways to improve the efficiency of the pipeline system is simply one aspect of a Pipeline Construction Inspector’s job. Protecting the natural resources of a particular area is an important part of your job duties as a Pipeline Construction Inspector as well. For example, if you see a better way to route a buried pipeline to avoid an underground water spring, you advise your employer or the client.

Testing the structural integrity of the pipeline is also your responsibility, which you accomplish using both visual and electronic inspections. Technology is a big part of your job, so familiarity and comfort with sophisticated computerized equipment is essential. You inspect the pipeline for defects or deficiencies using x-ray, ultrasonic, and magnetic tools, while testing for metal loss in the surrounding area.

Any potential problem means the pipeline must be shut down until remedies are made. This may not always make you the most popular kid in the schoolyard, but it must be done.

Attention to detail and excellent communication skills are required for this job, too. Not only do you have to find potential problems, but you must also report your findings and suggest solutions. Each piece of the pipeline must meet state, local, and federal safety regulations, and it’s your job to make sure it does. So not only do you test and evaluate pipelines, but you also get to play the role of the pipeline police and enforce the rules.