A corrosion technician inspects, repairs, and regulates the structural integrity of a metal pipeline. Metal pipes are used to transport water and gas in a variety of ways. For the health and safety of nearcommunities, the technician must ensure that the pipeline’s connections and wall construction meet specific requirements.
When dissimilar metals are matched together, such as at a pipeline connection point, corrosion occurs. The corrosion technician is usually in charge of the pipeline’s cathodic protection system. This system uses direct electrical current to change the magnetic polarity of the metal in the pipeline. The metal is less prone to corrosion and damage as a result of the polarity shift.
All parts of the pipeline must be constantly monitored the technician. To reach all pipeline parts, many technicians must travel around a job site in a vehicle. Some technicians are required to access the pipeline underground, which necessitates climbing ladders and working in cramped spaces. Multiple job sites may necessitate the attention of a corrosion technician, resulting in a significant amount of travel time during the workday.
Depending on the employer, the corrosion technician may be involved in future pipeline design. The technician will conduct soil and surrounding land surveys, which will be recorded and analyzed. This person may also collaborate with other qualified corrosion personnel to determine the best future pipeline construction location.
Although a four-year college diploma is not usually required for this position, the National Association of Corrosion Engineers requires that he or she be licensed (NACE). Many employers also require a technician to have 2 to 5 years of corrosion control experience.
A pipeline failure can happen at any time. If the pipeline’s corrosion control fails, someone in this field will typically be expected to work weekends and holidays. To meet the employer’s needs, the employee must be flexible with his or her time, especially if flammable gas is involved.
A good corrosion technician records as much information as possible about the problem. With proper documentation of the resolution process, corrosion repair defects can be resolved faster and with less equipment downtime. Preventative maintenance performed the technician based on previous documented problems can help to avoid future repairs.
The technician’s job is primarily mechanical and hands-on, but the employee must also be able to work with computers. Information gathered from documented repairs must be entered into a computer for analysis and improvement in the future. The ability to work with spreadsheets and other software is extremely valuable.