Photo: Rian Castillo · CC BY 2.0Shutdowns · Turnarounds · Outages — Gulf Coast
Turnaround Staffing for New Orleans and the River Parishes
Turnaround and outage staffing for New Orleans and the River Parishes — Norco, Chalmette, Reserve and Convent — from Craftsman & Labor Solutions.
The market
Industrial outages in New Orleans
Upriver from New Orleans, the River Parishes — St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James — carry a long line of refineries, chemical plants and grain and bulk terminals, with more refining downriver in Chalmette and terminal operations around Belle Chasse. Turnarounds here are sized for large, mature sites. CLS mobilizes crews into the metro and the parishes and keeps two points of contact on the project from scope to demob. On both the East Bank and West Bank, from Destrehan and Luling up River Road and Airline Highway through LaPlace, Garyville and Gramercy, CLS plans the crew around the site's schedule. Workers mobilize in from outside the corridor.
How we staff New Orleans
Craftsman & Labor Solutions is headquartered in Aiken, SC. We do not keep a branch in New Orleans — we mobilize vetted crews from a nationwide network of trusted contractors, and the same headquarters team runs your project from the first scope call to the final shift. Travel is planned into the staging, which is why sharing dates early matters.
What runs here
Facilities we staff in New Orleans
Refining
Turnarounds at the refineries upriver in the parishes and downriver in St. Bernard Parish.
Chemical manufacturing
Chemical plants along the river corridor between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Terminals & port industrial
Bulk, grain and liquid terminal maintenance along the river.
Why CLS is different
People Who Stay Accountable
We do not hand you a list of names, send workers to the jobsite, and disappear. Every New Orleans shutdown is supported by two dedicated points of contact who stay involved, communicate with your team, and take ownership of the outcome alongside you.
A knowledgeable coordinator
Learns your scope, plans trades, headcount and shifts with you, and stages the crew before day one.
A hands-on on-site overseer
Involved in worker assignments and project progress on the ground — accountable for the crew, not signed up and gone.
Crafts we supply
The crew for your outage
- Welders
Structural and repair welding on equipment opened up during the outage.
- Millwrights
Pumps, compressors, rotating equipment, alignment and reassembly.
- Carpenters
Temporary structures, access, platforms and the carpentry that supports the work.
- Plumbers
Water, drain and utility piping work tied to the outage scope.
- General labor & helpers
Material handling, staging, housekeeping, fire and hole watch support, cleanup and demob.
Every worker is covered by CLS workers' comp and liability, briefed on site hazards, and backed by stop-work authority.
Travel for turnaround work in New Orleans? Get on our call list →Questions
New Orleans shutdown staffing — FAQ
+Is the River Parishes corridor part of your New Orleans coverage?
Yes. Norco, Reserve, Convent and the rest of St. Charles, St. John and St. James Parishes are planned as part of the New Orleans market.
+Do you cover both the East Bank and West Bank?
Yes. CLS plans River Parishes outages on both sides of the river, from St. Charles Parish up through St. John the Baptist and St. James, plus St. Bernard Parish downriver.
+When is turnaround season on the river?
Across the Gulf Coast, many planned turnarounds fall in spring and fall windows, but every site sets its own schedule. Share your dates as early as you have them and we will tell you plainly what we can field.
+Can you staff a terminal or dock outage, not just a refinery?
Yes. Bulk, grain and liquid terminal outages need the same welders, millwrights, carpenters, plumbers and support labor, and CLS staffs them the same way.
+Does Craftsman & Labor Solutions have an office in New Orleans?
No. CLS is headquartered in Aiken, South Carolina, and mobilizes shutdown, turnaround and outage crews to New Orleans and plants across the country. Every project is run by the same headquarters team — two dedicated points of contact who stay involved from the first scope call to the final shift.
+What trades can CLS supply for a New Orleans shutdown?
Welders, millwrights, carpenters, plumbers, and general labor and helpers for staging, material handling, fire and hole watch support, housekeeping and demob. Tell us the scope and we will build the craft mix and headcount with you.
+How far ahead should we plan a New Orleans turnaround with CLS?
As early as you have dates and a rough scope. Timelines depend on the trades, headcount and site requirements, so CLS quotes a specific plan per project rather than a blanket promise — and short-notice call-outs are handled the same way, honestly and quickly.
More of the Gulf Coast
Other Gulf Coast markets we mobilize to
Planning an outage in New Orleans?
Tell us the scope and dates — your coordinator will stage the crew. Skilled trades who travel for outage work can get on our call list, too.