In construction work and utility work, one needs to appreciate the hazards of underground services. For risk management purposes, professionals must use the document in series HSG47 from the Health and Safety Executive entitled “Avoiding Danger from Underground Services.”
HSG47 seems to be a complex document, because it uses technical language and detailed requirements. HSG47 training is required to comply with the regulations. However, here we try to simplify some of the key concepts so that workers and managers of different projects are able to demystify HSG47.
HSG47 is crucial for the safe implementation of excavation and groundwork to prevent contacting underground utilities. These utilities include electricity cables, gas pipes, water mains, telecommunications lines, and sewers. Contacting any of the utilities is extremely costly, potentially causing harm and fatalities, besides being costly.
One of the basic needs, as enshrined in HSG47, is planning. It’s a basic requirement that the organisation understands their site before any digging operation commences and its potential to create risks. This will likely include studying site plans and utility service record plots, but HSG47 warns that plans can be out of date or inaccurate. So, it is critical that any existing information available is verified by site-based detection and notification from utility operators.
The correctness of identifying services before work commences is emphasised in HSG47. This can be undertaken through service detection equipment, such as cable locators and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Cable locators and GPR give an indication of the presence and position information of buried services but can be utilised if competent personnel who know the usage of such equipment are present with them. The correct way to use such equipment is based on HSG47 training.
Once the risks and their inherent control measures have been collected and clearly defined, HSG47 outlines the need for a risk assessment. The potential effects of striking a utility should be taken into consideration, and a simple outline of the control measures to be adopted should be produced. For example, control measures may include the use of hand tools in preference to mechanical excavators in areas where services are located; a second example is having a person singularly responsible for the oversight and digging-out procedure.
Last but not least, workforce education must be continually maintained to maintain compliance with HSG47. Sessional training, conducted at regular intervals, helps update the workforce about the latest safety practices and technologies used in the utility detection process. Companies such as Sygma Solutions Ltd. also organise specialised training courses to ensure employees have the right skills and knowledge for the safe and effective avoidance of underground services.
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Open Days
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PAS128 Utility Mapping Training Modules mapped to CICES competencies
– 2 days
Module 1 – Pas 128 Level D &C training to include level 3 assessment – CICES GEUS01 A-D
– 3 Days
Module 2 – PAS128 Level B Training – can include Level 4 assessment – CICES GUES01 E-I
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2 Day Advanced EM Course (RD8100/8200 & VIVAX)
In depth course covering electromagnetic locators, theory and intensive practical on our real world training site.
Cost: £295 per person
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
5th – 6th September 2024
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
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1 Day Mala GPR Module 1 – Theory & Practical
Cost: Contact us for price (2 spaces F.O.C. with Mala GPR Purchase)
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
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1 Day Mala GPR Module 2 – Post processing
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Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
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2 Day GPR – All Manufacturers
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
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5 Day TSA & ICES Approved 5 Day Utility Mapping Course
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
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Location: Worcester
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1 Day Public Genny & CAT Course
Cost: £175 plus VAT
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
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Level 3 Utility Mapping Qualification – All Online
Cost: £275 PLUS REG FEE
Location: Online
Dates: To suit
Level 5 Diploma Utility Mapping Qualification – Online Workbooks – followed by assessment
Cost £1100 PLUS REG FEE
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre or your site
Dates: To suit
Open level 5 assessment dates at Sygma Solutions, Wigan
Level 5 Diploma Utility Mapping Qualification – in 5 days
Cost – contact us
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
2nd – 6th September 2024
Sygma PAS 128 Utility Surveyor Training Including Proqual Level 3 Utility Mapping and Surveying
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Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
12th – 16th August 2024 Limited Availability
14th – 18th October 2024
25th – 29th November 2024
16th – 20th December 2024
Level 3 Utility Mapping and Surveying Public Course
12th – 13th August Limited Availability
14th – 15th October 2024
25th – 26th November 2024
16th – 17th December 2024
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
GPS Course & Total Station Introduction
This is a 2 day dedicated GPS course with an introduction to Total Station
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Please contact enquires@sygma-solutions.com for future dates and a booking form
Please contact:
enquiries@sygma-solutions.com for current availability and booking form