Engineering ServicesISCO 3112

Bridge inspector

Bridge inspectors inspect bridge structures for joint break, cracks, rust and other faults. They also carry out or organise the maintenance of the structures.

Check yourself in a minute: bridge inspector

Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

estimate repair priority

check compatibility of materials

advise on bridge replacement

inspect supplied concrete

identify defects in concrete

Key skills in this occupation

Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 14 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.

  1. estimate repair priority

    Estimate the urgency of a certain repair or replacement, based on the severity of the defect, the importance of the damaged or worn element, any other planned repairs and the expected lifespan of the bridge.

    practical skill
  2. check compatibility of materials

    Make sure the materials are fit to be used together, and if there are any foreseeable interferences.

    practical skill
  3. advise on bridge replacement

    Estimate the need for a bridge to be replaced and report to the responsible owner or institution.

    practical skill
  4. inspect supplied concrete

    Check the quantity and quality of delivered concrete.

    practical skill
  5. identify defects in concrete

    Use infrared techniques to discover defects in concrete.

    practical skill
  6. recognise signs of corrosion

    Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.

    practical skill
  7. test concrete

    Test concrete hardness so that it is according to specifications and ready to be removed from moulds.

    practical skill
  8. construction product regulation

    Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.

    knowledgemost at risk from AI

Check which of these skills you already have ↑

Knowledge (2)

mechanical systems
Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. More →
mechanics
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices. More →

Practical skills (4)

keep records of bridge investigation findings
Register the results of bridge investigations and send them to the appropriate authorities. More →
work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials. More →
follow health and safety procedures in construction
Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks. More →
use safety equipment in construction
Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur. More →
Optional skills (14) — show
wood cuts
Different ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. More →
types of wood
Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood. More →
advise on bridge inspection
Provide advice on the necessity of inspection or repairs on a bridge and its implications. More →
operate welding equipment
Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process. More →
perform underwater bridge inspection
Wade through a body of water to inspect the piles of a bridge. More →
inspect construction sites
Ensure health and safety during the construction project by inspecting the construction site regularly. More →
place temporary road signage
Place temporary traffic signs, lights and barriers to alert road users of activities on the road. More →
identify wood warp
Identify wood that has changed shape due to stresses, wear or incorrect installation. More →
operate rust proofing spray gun
Operate a semi-automatic or handheld spray gun designed to provide the surface of a workpiece with a permanent, corrosion-protective finishing coat, safely and according to regulations. More →
apply a protective layer
Apply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush. More →
remove rust from motor vehicles
Wash the surface of the chrome to remove the dirt by using sponge. More →
recognise signs of wood rot
Check whether a wood element shows signs of rot. More →
set up temporary construction site infrastructure
Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. More →
inspect road signs
Inspect road signs for signs of corrosion, outdated information, nicks and dents, legilibility and reflectance. More →

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does a bridge inspector do?

Bridge inspectors inspect bridge structures for joint break, cracks, rust and other faults. They also carry out or organise the maintenance of the structures.

What skills does a bridge inspector need?

A bridge inspector needs 14 essential skills, including construction product regulation, mechanical systems, mechanics, keep records of bridge investigation findings, work ergonomically.

Will AI replace bridge inspector jobs?

The AI disruption score for bridge inspector is 25/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep records of bridge investigation findings, inspect road signs, construction product regulation. Most resilient: use safety equipment in construction, operate welding equipment, types of wood.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills14

Is bridge inspector right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test