Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

The occupation "Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" has an automation risk of 13.2%, which is only slightly below its base risk of 13.3%. This relatively low risk indicates that a majority of the work tasks in this occupation still require human involvement, due to physical, environmental, or cognitive demands that current automation technologies struggle to replicate efficiently. The helpers in this field support skilled tradespeople by providing manual labor, handling materials, and assisting with installation or maintenance tasks. While technology has introduced tools and equipment that can improve efficiency and safety, much of the nuanced work still depends on human judgment and adaptability. As a result, large-scale automation of this occupation remains unlikely in the near future. Among the most automatable tasks in this job are "measuring, cutting, threading, and assembling new pipe," "cutting or drilling holes in walls or floors to accommodate pipe passage," and "performing rough-ins, repairing and replacing fixtures and water heaters, and locating, repairing, or removing leaking or broken pipes." These tasks are procedural, repetitive, and often follow standardized methods, making them good candidates for automation using robotics, computer vision, and machining tools. Automated cutting, drilling, and assembly machines already exist and can improve speed and precision. However, the variety of environments and unforeseen obstacles in which these helpers work limit the scalability of full automation. On the other hand, the most resistant tasks—such as "cleaning and renewing steam traps," "immersing pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale," and "filling pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and holding pipes during bending and installation"—require adaptability, manual dexterity, and situational awareness. Often, these tasks involve varying work conditions and non-standardized situations that challenge automation. The main bottleneck skills identified are originality, scored at 2.1% and 2.0%, reflecting that innovation and quick problem-solving are still integral to this occupation. These skills remain difficult for current automated systems to replicate, ensuring that human helpers continue to play a vital role in supporting pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.