Work Environment
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work where there are
pipes or septic systems. They often must lift heavy materials,
climb ladders, and work in tight spaces. Some plumbers travel
to a variety of worksites every day. A few work outdoors, even in
bad weather.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
BUSINESS SKILLS are used by plumbers who own their own
business. They must be able to direct workers, bid on jobs, and
plan work schedules.
CUSTOMER-SERVICE SKILLS are needed when working with
customers on a regular basis, so they should be polite and
courteous.
MECHANICAL SKILLS are used by plumbers, pipefitters, and
steamfitters. They use a variety of tools to assemble and repair
pipe systems. Choosing the right tool and successfully installing,
repairing, or maintaining a system is crucial to their work.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH is needed by plumbers, pipefitters, and
steamfitters. They need to be strong enough to lift and move
heavy pipes.
TROUBLESHOOTING SKILLS are needed by plumbers, pipefit-
ters, and steamfitters to find, diagnose, and repair problems. For
example, pipefitters must be able to perform pressure tests to
pinpoint the location of a leak.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters continued
74