Pipeline Construction Inspector

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 2264: Construction Inspectors

2006 NOC-S

• C164: Construction Inspectors

2011 NOC

• 2264: Construction inspectors

2016 NOC

• 2264: Construction inspectors

2021 NOC

• 22233: Construction inspectors

2023 OaSIS

• 22233.00: Construction inspectors

Pipeline construction inspectors represent the pipeline owner on the construction site. They evaluate worksite activities to ensure that the contractor and workers follow:

• Company specifications and policies
• Government regulations
• Environmental requirements
• Landowner requirements

They have the authority to stop work if conditions or activities pose a danger to a person, property, or the environment.

In general, pipeline construction inspectors:

• Complete required reports including daily inspection reports and weekly progress reports.
• Relay survey and right-of-way information to the construction manager.
• Correct deviations from requirements. For example, they ensure staff wear proper personal protective equipment, and pipe that crosses a watercourse is installed correctly.
• Confirm the contractor’s operators have proper training.
• Assist in preparing incident reports.
• Participate in daily meetings to address issues such as quality, job safety, or environmental concerns.
• Identify lessons learned and participate in sessions to support these lessons.
• Review construction drawings, specifications, conditions, work plans, and procedures.
• Identify materials (i.e. heat numbers, material specifications, joint preparation).​

Pipeline construction inspection includes several specializations.

Crossings inspectors are involved when a pipeline construction project crosses the path of a utility or another pipeline. Their understanding of crossing methods help them to ensure that:

• The construction team follows regulations for open excavation crossings.
• The owner company and any third-party owners coordinate activities.
• Workers locating underground facilities use accepted procedures and techniques.
• The construction team uses proper excavation methods when they are near the pipe.
• All features and offsets are located and marked.
• All stakes and flags remain visible for the entire project.

Trenchless crossings inspectors work where the crossing cannot be excavated, such as a river or road. This generally happens during horizontal directional drilling or some form of tunneling such as direct pipe. They ensure that the crossing design satisfies both the drilling company and the owner company. They also:

• Ensure entry and exit locations are safe
• Make sure entry and exit locations meet constraints within crossing agreements and company specifications
• Ensure the direction or angle of the bore has not changed from the intended drill path
• Monitor for drilling mud migration

Earthworks inspectors are also known as craft inspectors. They oversee construction activities during the clearing, grading, ditching, and excavating phases. Earthworks inspectors make sure the team follows proper procedure when they:

• Cut, burn, or remove trees, brush, and debris from the right-of-way
• Prepare and maintain right-of-way accesses
• Locate buried utility lines
• Strip and store topsoil for redistribution after the pipe has been backfilled
• Blast, excavate, and remove rock at grade

Pipe handling inspectors oversee pipe handling activities during construction, which include:

• Stockpiling pipe materials
• Stringing the pipe together
• Bending the pipe
• Lowering the pipe into the ditch

They:

• Inspect and log all materials received
• Ensure pipe joints are properly laid out along the pipeline right-of-way
• Confirm that, when pipes are bent in the field, they are bent within correct limits
• Confirm that no damage occurs to the pipe or the coating
• Inspect operations when lowering the pipe into the trench to avoid damage to the pipe or coating

Coating inspectors monitor adherence to company requirements for pipeline coating. They ensure that:

• The construction team identifies and repairs all pipe-coating damage before they lower the pipe.
• The backfill material is suitable.
• The team places backfill material in the trench in a way that does not damage the pipe or coating.

Welding inspectors oversee welding operations. In general, they:

• Monitor welders’ work to make sure they follow welding-related designs, drawings, and specifications
• Check welders’ qualification records to specific processes
• Confirm that personal protective equipment is in good condition and that welders use it

Pressure testing inspectors carry out pressure testing to confirm that the pipeline has acceptable strength. Before the pipe goes into service, they ensure that it will not leak under operating conditions. To do this, they:

• Check that all required permits, plans, and calculations are approved and in place before testing starts
• Review and confirm that all testing equipment is in good condition before testing starts
• Make sure operations follow the pressure-testing plan
• Ensure appropriate response in the event of a rupture or leak

Environmental inspectors ensure construction activities comply with environmental permits and requirements at all times. They monitor activities such as soil and water erosion, habitat damage, and air, noise and water pollution. They also follow the company’s environmental protection plan (EPP) related to:

• Watercourses
• Wetlands, muskeg, and swamp areas
• Wildlife habitats
• Migratory routes
• Archaeological sites

Safety inspectors uphold company and industry standards to ensure safety, minimize risk, and avoid hazards at the work site. They:

• Plan, schedule, and conduct safety meetings
• Promote a safe working environment by communicating project issues and solutions
• Ensure emergency medical services are available and meet requirements
• Make sure all workers follow requirements for use of personal protective equipment
• Enforce a “stop work” order if a safety situation arises

Maintenance inspectors oversee a range of activities on operating pipelines, so their duties overlap with other specializations. In general, they:

• Monitor investigative digs and repairs such as buffing (smoothing the surface)
• Monitor other areas, such as earthworks, welding, and crossings
• Ensure cathodic protection systems are properly installed or upgraded

Chief inspectors are highly skilled and experienced individuals. They understand the inspection requirements for all of the pipeline construction phases. They oversee the specialized pipeline construction inspectors on the job site. Their specific duties vary depending on where they work.

Pipeline construction inspectors typically work on a contract basis. Jobs are available for 10 to 12 months of the year. Inspectors work on 1 project at a time for its duration, typically 3 to 6 months. Their workload varies depending on each project.

Pipeline construction inspectors work outdoors in different weather conditions and terrain. On some projects, they may need to travel to remote locations. Meeting construction deadlines can make for long workdays.

Inspectors spend a lot of time on their feet. They typically do not need to lift heavy objects.

Inspectors wear personal protective equipment at all job sites.

Pipeline construction inspectors work with:

• Pipeline construction companies
• Pipeline owner operators

A company may hire an inspector as a regular employee. But most large construction companies in Alberta hire pipeline construction inspectors as contractors.

As a contractor, pipeline construction inspectors usually set up a business and supply their own equipment. To set up a business, an inspector needs:

• A business number
• Commercial liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation insurance or equivalent

Self-employed pipeline construction inspectors also need:

• A valid class 5 driver’s license
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• A vehicle, preferably a pick-up truck or SUV
• A laptop computer or tablet for filling out digital forms
• A mobile phone connected to a major network

Pipeline construction inspection is not an entry-level position. Employers generally want to hire experienced individuals. Many pipeline construction inspectors began their careers by working for a pipeline construction company. They often start out in roles such as excavating or pipeline coating.

An inspector in any specialization can become a chief inspector. Chief inspectors often have over 10 years of inspection experience in at least 2 specializations.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 2264: Construction inspectors occupational group, 83.3% of people work in:

• Construction
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Public Administration
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 2264: Construction inspectors occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 78 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

American Petroleum Institute (API) website, certification program: www.api.org

Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) website: cepa.com

Jiva School of Energy website, career resources: www.jivaconsulting.com

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.