Leading Hand OHL

Balfour Beatty plc; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension

Smart working (flexible start/finish)

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc is seeking a Leading Hand (OHL) to supervise a small team on UK high‑voltage overhead line projects. You will assist the Foreman, coordinate work plans, and ensure safety and quality standards on site.

The role requires strong leadership, good communication, and a willingness to travel across the UK to support various projects.

Qualifications

• Essential driving licence and safety-conscious approach.
• Background in Power/HT transmission or similar construction environments.
• Ability to lead a small crew and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a 4–6 OHL Technicians gang in the foreman's absence.
• Plan duties, brief staff, and uphold safety procedures on site.
• Coordinate equipment and material delivery to site as needed.
• Deliver toolbox talks and safety briefings; report incidents promptly.
• Ensure safe setting of control measures, signs, and machinery positions.

Skills

Full clean driving licence

Power industry knowledge

Construction project experience

Teamwork

Verbal and written communication

Travel across the UK

Working at heights

Health and safety focus

Job description

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.

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, 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.
• 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

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

To demonstrate correct use of common OHL equipment including:

• 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 the catenary support systems.
• 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

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.

Why join us?

• 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 too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• 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…

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 is able to 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 working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/