Balfour Beatty plc
Leading Hand
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About The Role
We are seeking a skilled and motivated Leading Hand (OHL) to join our Power Transmission & Distribution team, supporting the continued growth of our workload across Scotland as well as wider UK projects. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to step into a key leadership position within a fast‑moving site environment, playing a hands‑on role in the delivery and maintenance of high‑voltage overhead line infrastructure.
As a Leading Hand, you will support the Foreman and take the lead in their absence, supervising a small team of 4–6 OHL Technicians. You’ll be responsible for promoting safe, efficient working practices while maintaining high standards of quality and productivity. The role offers longer‑term progression opportunities in Scotland, with the flexibility to adapt as projects develop, move, or change in scope over time.
What you'll be doing
- In the absence of a foreman, safely and effectively set their gang(s) to work, planning and assigning duties and briefing their staff on what is required to achieve objectives set, on emergency procedures, on potential risks and on precautions to be taken to minimise those risks.
- To liaise with foremen and identify equipment and material needs and ensuring that they are delivered to (or collected from) site in a timely manner
- Ensure that accidents and near-miss incidents are promptly reported giving accurate details established at the time of the incident, assist in investigations when required
- To deliver toolbox talks, safety alerts and safety briefings to their team methods to be used, ensuring that appropriate methods and PPE disciplines are followed and assisting their gang in problem-solving when activities do not go according to plan
- To ensure that appropriate safety precautions and safety signage are set up before construction work commences, that winches and other machines are correctly positioned
Demonstrate Knowledge Of All Common OHL Including Activities Including
- Earthing
- Piloting work
- Platforms
- Running out conductors
- clamping in
- Blocking out
- Jumpering
- Spacering
- Jointing
- Downleads
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To Demonstrate Correct Use Of Common OHL Equipment Including
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PPE
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Rope and knots
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Fittings assembly
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Pull-lifts
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Blocks
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Bonds and slings
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Clamps
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Toggles
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Hand tools
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Permanent attachment
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Demarcation
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Climbing
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Spacer trolley
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Lifting and lowering
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Understand the site specific risk assessments to ensure all known risks are controlled.
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Ensure that accidents and incidents are promptly reported to the Foreman
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Apply appropriate earthing schemes to dissipate induced voltages
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Demonstrate knowledge of setting up, deployment and dismantling the catenary support systems
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Replacing fibre optic earthwire
Who we're looking for
The Following Qualities/experience Are Essential
- Full clean driving licence
- Knowledge of the Power industry
- Experience of working on a variety of construction project types.
- Ability to work in a team
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Able to undertake work in high pressure situations
- Flexibility – Willing to travel and work across the UK
- Aptitude for working at heights
- Responsibility – a strong attitude towards health and safety
The Following Qualities/experience Are Desirable
- Valid Plant Tickets (will be an advantage)
- OHL Authorisations (will be an advantage)
- Emergency First Aid at Work
Why work for us
Alongside The Amazing Opportunity, Support And Pride That You Will Gain From Developing Your Career With One Of The World’s Foremost Infrastructure Giants, You Will Also Enjoy
- Company DC pension scheme
- Opportunity to join into the company SIP scheme.
- Flexible benefits window Options to purchase additional holidays, bikes, tech vouchers, dental cover, PMI etc.
- Reward platform where you can get discounts off shopping, insurance, cars etc.
- 22 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Employee assistance programme
In joining the Power T&D team, you are joining a strong function, where you can join us as the first step on a lengthy career, or simply join us be the best you can be in your role we will support you either way.
We have a BB Academy, which is a great resource to support you with your learning and development.
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At Balfour Beatty we are committed to creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential, not only because this is the right thing to do, but because it makes us a better business.
We have a UK Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan which sets out the wide range of targeted, initiative-taking, measurable steps we are taking to make this a reality. You can read our UK Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan in full at www.balfourbeatty.com/value_everyone
About Us
Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national, and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations, and distribution networks.
From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources, and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK’s most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion
We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and reservists.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to collaborating with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them.
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