Leading Hand OHL

About the role

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Leading Hand (OHL) to join our Power Transmission & Distribution team. This is an excellent opportunity to take on a leadership role within a dynamic site environment, supporting the delivery and maintenance of high-voltage overhead line projects across the UK.

As a Leading Hand, you will assist the Foreman and take the lead in their absence, supervising a small team of 4–6 OHL Technicians. You’ll play a key role in ensuring work is carried out safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality and productivity.

• In the absence of a foreman: safely and effectively set their gang(s) to work, plan and assign duties, brief staff on objectives, emergency procedures, potential risks and precautions to minimise those risks.
• To liaise with foremen and identify equipment and material needs, ensuring they are delivered to (or collected from) the site in a timely manner.
• Ensure accidents and near‑miss incidents are promptly reported with accurate details and assist in investigations when required.
• Deliver toolbox talks, safety alerts and briefings to the team, ensuring appropriate methods and PPE disciplines are followed and assist the gang in problem‑solving when activities do not go according to plan.
• Ensure appropriate safety precautions and signage are set up before construction work commences and that winches and other machines are correctly positioned.

• Earthing
• Piloting work
• Platforms
• Running out conductors
• Clamping in
• Blocking out
• Jumpering
• Spacering
• Jointing
• Downleads

• PPE
• Rope and knots
• Fittings assembly
• Pull‑lifts
• Blocks
• Bonds and slings
• Clamps
• Toggles
• Hand tools
• Permanent attachment
• Demarcation
• Climbing
• Spacer trolley
• Lifting and lowering

• Understand the site specific risk assessments to ensure all known risks are controlled.
• Ensure that accidents and incidents are promptly reported to the Foreman.
• Apply appropriate earthing schemes to dissipate induced voltages.
• Demonstrate knowledge of setting up, deployment and dismantling of the catenary support systems.
• Replace fibre optic earthwire.

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

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

• Impactful Work: Contribute to a landmark project that will shape the UK’s energy landscape.
• Career Development: Gain unparalleled experience and advance your career in a high‑profile environment.
• Dynamic Team: Join a team of dedicated professionals committed to excellence and innovation.

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life.

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

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…