Beyond the standard
26
no criterion requires them
EUS criteria
28
every one met
Practical points assessed
30
individually, Pass/Refer
Certificate
EUS card
as normal
Accredited & approved by
Why this document exists
EUS Category 1 is a minimum spec — not every provider builds to it the same way
EUS Category 1 sets a floor, not a ceiling. The scheme specification lists the minimum a course must cover and how each part must be assessed. Any provider meeting that floor can call their course “EUS Category 1” and issue the same EUS card — but what happens in the room to get a delegate there is left to the provider. Two courses can both be genuinely, validly EUS Category 1 and still be very different days. That is why some of our clients call ours the “EUS Cat 1 Plus” — their own shorthand for a course built above the floor, not a different qualification or a different card.
What follows is the evidence, not the claim. Part one is the 26 things delivered on our course that no EUS Category 1 assessment criterion requires. Part two maps our course against every one of the standard's own 28 criteria, quoted in EUSR's own words. Part three is our own practical assessment sheet, quoted point by point — 30 individually assessed criteria, not a summary of them.
The two courses
The standard
EUS Category 1: Locate Utility Services (HSG47)
Scheme Specification v1.0, 2025
The course
Sygma EUS Category 1
Same EUS card as normal
Practical requirements from EUSR's Category 1 Practical Assessment Observation Record v1.0. Delivery rules from Scheme Handbook V3.0, November 2025. Our own practical assessment sheet: ProQual CAT1 Practical Assessment 2026.
Part one
What Sygma EUS Category 1 covers beyond the minimum
26 things delivered on the Sygma EUS Category 1 course that no EUS Category 1 assessment criterion requires. Where something is named in EUSR's guidance as an example but is not itself assessed, it says so.
Applying a signal
| ✓ | Direct connection to a street light cable, correct technique and distanceOn the ground | The specification names street lighting only once, as a limitation of power mode. It never asks for a signal to be applied to one. |
| ✓ | Direct connection to a domestic LV service at a property or buildingOn the ground | Meter boxes and cable entry points appear only in the visual site assessment. Connecting to a house service is not required. |
| ✓ | Confirming the connection and that the signal has actually takenOn the ground | The specification requires the signal to be applied, not confirmed. |
| ✓ | Correct earthing on a direct connectionOn the ground | Not named anywhere in Category 1. |
| ✓ | Blind induction sweep in two directions across a siteOn the ground | Induction is required. A blind sweep, in two directions, is not. |
| ✓ | Nulling out a buried utilityOn the ground | The modes listed in the specification are power, radio, signal generator and Avoidance or All Scan. Nulling out is not among them. |
| ✓ | Checking for airborne signal on every inductive applicationOn the ground | Not named anywhere in Category 1. |
| ✓ | Signal clamp, correct technique and distanceOn the ground | Named in the Supporting Information as an example of applying a signal. No assessment criterion requires it to be demonstrated.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
| ✓ | High-frequency signal using a capacitance techniqueOn the ground | Named in the Supporting Information as an example. No assessment criterion requires it to be demonstrated.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
Locating
| ✓ | Locate a joint, T-connection or bendOn the ground | Not named anywhere in Category 1. |
| ✓ | Identify sudden signal loss and explain why it happensOn the ground | Not named anywhere in Category 1. |
| ✓ | Recognise being too close to the transmitter, and correct erratic sensitivityOn the ground | Not named anywhere in Category 1. |
| ✓ | Depth checked two ways to confirm the readingOn the ground | The specification covers depth awareness and depth estimation, but never asks for the reading to be confirmed by a second method. |
| ✓ | Depth estimates taken at the correct distancesOn the ground | Depth estimation appears in the guidance only. Not one of the 28 assessment criteria mentions depth.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
| ✓ | Knowing when a depth reading is unreliableOn the ground | Depth uncertainty appears in the guidance only. No criterion assesses it.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
Strategy
| ✓ | Strike Alert: what it is for and how to disable it | Listed in the guidance as a locator-specific feature. No criterion assesses it.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
| ✓ | Continuously scan as the excavation progresses | Repeated detection sweeping appears in the guidance. No assessment criterion covers what happens once digging starts.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
| ✓ | Transmitter first: exhaust every connection option before induction, all active modes before passive | The specification notes passive modes may be insufficient, but sets no order of preference to work to. |
| ✓ | Dual-frequency transmitters and the benefit of each frequency | The specification mentions scanning all frequencies at once, not choosing between two. |
Recording
| ✓ | Data logging and C.A.T. Manager (optional), so usage can be reviewed and evidenced afterwards | Data enabled locators appear in the guidance. No criterion requires recorded data to be produced or read.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
Consequences
| ✓ | The health, safety and financial consequences of getting it wrong, with real examples demonstrated and discussed | The consequences of striking a service appear in the Supporting Information. No assessment criterion tests any of it.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
| ✓ | HSG47, the wider regulations and company policy | HSG47 is named in the guidance and in the category title. No assessment criterion requires the guidance itself to be known.Guidance only, not an assessed criterion |
Plans
| ✓ | PAS128 drawings, and how a PAS128 survey differs from a STATS plan | PAS128 does not appear anywhere in Category 1 of the 2025 specification. |
| ✓ | Permit to dig: what it is for, and what it does and does not authorise | Permits to Work appear in Category 2, not Category 1. |
Assessment
| ✓ | Five practical disciplines, each assessed individuallyOn the ground | The specification requires the practical criteria to be met. It does not require them to be broken out and signed off separately. |
Delivery
| ✓ | More than half the day spent hands-on | The scheme sets a six hour minimum for the day but no split between classroom and practical. |
Part two
Every EUS Category 1 criterion, mapped against Sygma EUS Category 1
EUSR's wording, unedited. The criterion numbers are theirs.
LO1
Be able to plan for the location of underground services
| EUS Category 1: Locate Utility Services (HSG47)Scheme Specification v1.0, 2025 | Sygma EUS Category 1Same EUS card as normal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Assessment criterion, as written by EUSR | Assessed by | Met? | What we do |
| 1 | Interpret plans/maps in accordance with instructions | Practical | ✓ | Assessed on the ground, using the drawings for the site we are standing on rather than a generic exampleOn the ground |
| 2 | Identify plan references and symbols | MCQ/Practical | ✓ | Assessed. Plans from every provider, including keys, symbols and colour codesOn the ground |
| 3 | Explain potential safety considerations and control measures when carrying out a risk assessment | MCQ/Practical | ✓ | Covered and assessedOn the ground |
| 4 | Carry out a site-specific risk assessment and establish a safe working zone | Practical | ✓ | Assessed, recorded on the point of work risk assessmentOn the ground |
LO2
Be able to prepare resources to locate and identify services
| EUS Category 1: Locate Utility Services (HSG47)Scheme Specification v1.0, 2025 | Sygma EUS Category 1Same EUS card as normal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Assessment criterion, as written by EUSR | Assessed by | Met? | What we do |
| 5 | Identify the features of a typical Safe System of Work | MCQ | ✓ | Covered |
| 6 | Check appropriate PPE is free from damage, fit for purpose and available for use | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 7 | State potential contingencies and personal actions if unforeseen events or emergencies occur | MCQ | ✓ | Covered |
| 8 | Explain the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in the work site operation | MCQ | ✓ | Covered |
| 9 | Identify appropriate resources and equipment required to carry out location and marking work safely | MCQ/Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 10 | Check that a safe working zone exists and is appropriately protected with barriers and signs | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 11 | State the action to take if equipment is found to be defective or damaged | MCQ | ✓ | Covered |
| 12 | Complete a visual assessment of the location equipment and explain how you record any defective finding | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 13 | State the potential consequences if damaged or faulty equipment is used | MCQ | ✓ | Covered |
| 14 | Demonstrate all the pre-use checks on the location equipment to be used, in accordance with the specific manufacturer’s instructions | Practical | ✓ | Assessed as two separate checks, a function check and an in-service date checkOn the ground |
LO3
Know how to locate, detect and mark different underground services
| EUS Category 1: Locate Utility Services (HSG47)Scheme Specification v1.0, 2025 | Sygma EUS Category 1Same EUS card as normal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Assessment criterion, as written by EUSR | Assessed by | Met? | What we do |
| 15 | Check that all necessary preparatory work has been completed correctly, prior to work commencing | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 16 | Explain how different modes operate and their limitations | MCQ/Practical | ✓ | Covered, plus a session of its own on what the kit genuinely cannot findOn the ground |
| 17 | Demonstrate how to use the location equipment to detect and locate underground services | Practical | ✓ | Assessed, and broken into separate elements: control sensitivity, pinpoint, determine direction, trace and markOn the ground |
| 18 | Explain the limitations and challenges posed by specific types of underground services | MCQ | ✓ | Covered |
| 19 | Outline the advantages and disadvantages of using Ground Penetrating Radar as an additional piece of location equipment | MCQ | ✓ | Covered |
| 20 | Explain the importance of marking up signals detected and the variety of marking materials that can be used | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 21 | Identify any control measures needed to mitigate risks associated with location activities | MCQ/Practical | ✓ | Covered and assessedOn the ground |
| 22 | Demonstrate how both Parallel Sweeps and Radial Sweeps can be beneficial | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
LO4
Be able to carry out location work in accordance with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations, company policies and procedures (industry best practice)
| EUS Category 1: Locate Utility Services (HSG47)Scheme Specification v1.0, 2025 | Sygma EUS Category 1Same EUS card as normal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Assessment criterion, as written by EUSR | Assessed by | Met? | What we do |
| 23 | Select appropriate mode required for initial sweep of the designated excavation area to locate a potential power cable shown on the site plan | Practical | ✓ | Assessed, following a visual survey of the site carried out as its own assessed disciplineOn the ground |
| 24 | Carry out locating and sweeping of the area to confirm underground services located | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 25 | Interpret correctly results shown by the location equipment | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 26 | Demonstrate the use of all available modes to locate another type of buried service shown on the plan | Practical | ✓ | Assessed, and broken into nine separately assessed applications rather than one demonstration. Listed belowOn the ground |
| 27 | Demonstrate the use of appropriate marking methods and materials to indicate the location of different services | Practical | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
| 28 | Record and report any unexpected findings, both prior to work starting and throughout the location activity | Practical/MCQ | ✓ | AssessedOn the ground |
Part three
Assessed point by point
This is our own current practical assessment sheet, quoted rather than summarised — 30 individual criteria across 8 practical competencies, each one watched and marked Pass or Refer on the day. EUSR's own practical standard asks for a single holistic judgement backed by oral questioning; this is what we actually tick through on every delegate.
P1
Determine work location
3 points- P1.1Ensure site plans obtained from relevant sources
- P1.2Recognise plan references, symbols, cables, services, colour codes
- P1.3State action if plans unavailable or unclear
P2
Plan work safely
5 points- P2.1Explain Permit to Work process and verify permission to dig
- P2.2Carry out General / Point of Work risk assessment
- P2.3Check site safely guarded to allow work to commence
- P2.4Check Safe System of Work produced and available
- P2.5Consider contingencies for unforeseen events / emergencies
P3
Inspect equipment
1 point- P3.1Pre-use checks on location equipment, per manufacturer instructions
P4
PPE
3 points- P4.1PPE meets minimum statutory and site-specific requirements
- P4.2Check PPE free of damage and fit for use
- P4.3State actions if PPE unavailable or unsuitable
P5
Use utility plans
3 points- P5.1Refer to plans and carry out initial survey
- P5.2Visually assess site noting surface features
- P5.3Identify location of specific services on plans
P6
POWRA
4 points- P6.1Complete Point of Work Risk Assessment with control measures
- P6.2Check if Permit required and ensure in place
- P6.3Ensure Safe System of Work aligns with HSAWA, HSG47, GS6
- P6.4Record and report unexpected findings
P7
Direct connection, induction & passive modes
9 points- P7.1Safely apply signal using direct connection
- P7.2Identify signal, adjust sensitivity, trace through dig zone
- P7.3Establish depth estimation and confirm results
- P7.4Set up transmitter to induce signal onto buried service
- P7.5Detect and pinpoint service using correct search technique
- P7.6Use induction to null out service and locate adjacent services
- P7.7Conduct passive sweep in Power mode
- P7.8Conduct passive sweep in Radio mode
- P7.9Recognise limitations of specific service types
P8
Mark and record
2 points- P8.1Use appropriate marking methods for different services
- P8.2Record and report deviations from site plans
Related document
The full course agenda
The classroom theory, the five practical disciplines, what the host site needs to provide and how the assessment works.