Utility Avoidance

Plans and Process Training: Read Utility Plans Properly and Survey More Safely

Most operatives can get hold of a utility plan. Far fewer can read one properly. From STATS and LSBUD to keys, scales, and regional network differences, delegates leave able to extract the right information from any plan and use it correctly on site.

Online Format

Live Teams, approx 90 mins

In-Person Format

Classroom and site practical

Assessment

Practical competence check (in-person)

Certificate

Certificate of attendance

Delivery

Online or in-house, nationwide UK

Plans and process training - practical session

Plans and process training - hands-on assessment

Plans and process training with practical site element

The Problem With Plans

Having the Plan Is Not the Same as Understanding It

HSG47 is clear: you must obtain utility records before you excavate. But having the plan is only the first step. Understanding what it tells you, what it does not tell you, and how to use it alongside your locator is a different skill entirely.

Misreading a plan, using the wrong scale, not spotting a network operator boundary, or failing to check the date can all lead to a locate that looks complete but leaves services undetected. This course closes that gap.

The course is built for operatives, supervisors, and coordinators who use utility plans as part of their work. It covers the legal framework, the sourcing process, how to interpret different plan types, and how plans integrate with the locating survey from start to finish.

Course at a Glance

Online FormatLive session via Microsoft Teams, approximately 90 minutes. Webcam and microphone required.

In-Person FormatClassroom session plus practical site competence check

AssessmentOnline: no formal assessment. In-person: optional short practical competence check

CertificateCertificate of attendance

Max DelegatesBy arrangement (contact Sygma for group size guidance)

DeliveryOnline (Teams) or in-house at your site, nationwide UK

PricingBy quotation (contact Sygma for a tailored quote)

Course Content

What the Course Covers

The course covers utility plan reading from first principles through to practical site application. The same content applies to both formats.

Legal and Responsibility Framework

›HSG47 responsibilities for obtaining and using utility plans before any excavation

›CDM obligations (client, designer, and contractor responsibilities)

›When and why you need to source utility plans before breaking ground

Network Areas and Regional Differences

›Different network operators and the areas they cover across the UK

›Regional differences in plan formats, keys, and notation by area

›Understanding which operator owns which asset in a given location

Sourcing Utility Plans

›How to use LSBUD (Line Search Before U Dig) to request statutory utility records

›How to use Digdat and other plan sources for a complete picture

›Understanding the difference between a statutory response and a survey-grade drawing

Reading and Interpreting Plans

›Keys and legends: material types, pipe sizes, cable types, and what they mean

›Scale: confirming you have the correct area and scale for the job in hand

›Dates: checking plan currency and understanding the limitations of older records

›Cross-sections and supplementary information contained in the plan

›Voltage and pressure notation: does it change the locate technique?

›Colour coding conventions and what they indicate for different services

Using Plans With a Locator Survey

›How to use plans to select the correct utility detection technique for the job

›The process from reading plans to conducting the survey, step by step

›Accuracy and limitations: what the plan will not show you

›Using your eyes: visual survey as a complement to the utility plan

In-Person Format

Practical Element and Competence Check

When delivered in person, the course adds a practical element where delegates apply what they have learned in a real or representative site environment. This includes working with real plans, identifying utility routes, checking scales, and then using a locator in conjunction with the plan.

A short competence check is completed to document understanding and practical ability. This does not qualify as an EUS assessment, but it gives a documented record of delegate competence that your company can retain.

Online (Teams)

Live session, approx 90 minutes

›Full classroom content as above, delivered interactively via Teams

›Delegates encouraged to ask questions and work through real plan examples

›Webcam and microphone required for all delegates

›No formal assessment. Certificate of attendance issued.

›Ideal for remote teams, new starters, or refresher training

In-House Classroom with Practical

Full session including site competence check

›Full classroom content as above, delivered on site at your premises

›Site practical element applying plan reading to real utilities in the field

›Short competence check to document practical ability

›Practical area near training room required (site with buried utilities)

›Certificate of attendance and competence check record issued

What You Get

Certificate of Attendance

HSG47 and PAS128 Reference Pack

Plan Interpretation Guidance Notes

CPD Record for Your Portfolio

Understanding utility drawings and records

Plans and process training - live training environment

Audience

Who Should Attend

Operatives and Supervisors

Anyone who uses utility plans as part of a survey or excavation process and wants to read them more accurately. This course is often taken alongside the EUS CAT1 or RQF Level 2 Award to complete the end-to-end skills picture.

Service Coordinators and USC Appointees

Coordinators responsible for sourcing, reviewing, and signing off utility plans as part of the permit and excavation process. Covers PAS128 survey types and plan interpretation in the context of the USC role.

New Starters and Inductions

The online format is well suited to remote inductions. The 90-minute session covers everything a new starter needs to know about utility plans before picking up a locator for the first time.

Plans and process qualification assessment

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the course cover LSBUD and Digdat?

Yes. The course covers how to use LSBUD (Line Search Before U Dig) to request statutory records from utility owners, and how to use Digdat as an additional source. Delegates will understand how to obtain the right plans for the job before any excavation takes place.

Is this course just for operatives?

No. While operatives benefit significantly, the course is equally relevant for supervisors, coordinators, and anyone who sources, reviews, or signs off utility plans as part of the excavation process. The Service Coordinator (USC) course also covers utility plans in more depth in the context of the USC appointment.

What is the difference between the online and in-person format?

The online format is a 90-minute live session via Teams covering the full classroom content. The in-person format includes the same classroom content plus a site practical element and a documented competence check. For teams where site competence needs to be recorded, the in-person format is recommended.

Does this course lead to a qualification?

No. Both formats issue a certificate of attendance. The in-person format includes a competence check. If you need a nationally recognised qualification, look at the RQF Level 2 Award or the EUS CAT1 course, both of which include utility plans as part of a broader assessment.

Can this course be delivered as part of a site induction?

Yes. The online format is well suited to remote inductions and can be used as a standalone session for new starters before they arrive on site. Contact Sygma to discuss how it can be incorporated into your onboarding process.

What plans experience do delegates need before attending?

None. The course starts from first principles and is suitable for delegates at all levels. Experienced operatives will find it confirms and formalises existing knowledge; newer starters get the full framework from the ground up.

Why Sygma

Why Choose Sygma for Plans and Process Training

Plan reading is not obvious. It requires structured training and hands-on practice with real plans.

Records and Planning

Understanding utility records is the first step before any equipment reaches the ground.

Proper plan reading prevents incomplete surveys and dangerous misinterpretations.

Specialist Trainers

Directly employed, ex-surveyors and ex-manufacturers, TAQA qualified.

Trainers who have worked with utility plans in the field every day.

Real Practical Assessment

Structured on-site practical in real conditions.

In-person format includes site practical with real utility plans and buried services.

Independent

No surveys, no equipment, no manufacturer relationships.

Training focused entirely on plan reading skills, not commercial interests.

We Come to You

Delivered at your site, travel included.

In-house training at your location for online and in-person formats.

Two Formats

Online Teams session or full in-person with site practical element.

Choose the delivery method that suits your team's needs.

Funding

CITB Employer Network

Training Support

Sygma is a CITB ATO. Contact your CITB Employer Network adviser about funding. All Sygma courses exceed 51% practical.

CITB-registered employers may be able to access Employer Network funding towards training costs. Plans and process training is recognised as essential foundation knowledge for utility avoidance work.

Next Steps

Related Training Courses

Combine plans and process training with locating and safe dig qualifications.

Also Consider

OSCA Assessment

GPS-stamped on-site competency assessment to verify real-world skills.

Bespoke Training

Design a tailored programme around your site risks, equipment, and team size.

Enquire About Plans and Process Training

Online via Teams or in-house at your site. Contact us to discuss the format that works best for your team and receive a tailored quotation.

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