One of the most well-known and popular skills platforms is the Energy and Utility Skills Register (EUSR). This body, which handles water, waste management, gas and electricity, provides training and skills for the energy and utility sector based on approved national standards.
There are all types of job roles in this world. Some, like doctors, policemen or teachers, come with universal recognition of their importance. Others, like utility surveyors, are less known but still incredibly important for society.
When undertaking any sort of excavation work anywhere in the UK, and for whatever reason, it is essential to carry out thorough planning beforehand by obtaining plans from utilities and other service suppliers. It is also essential to understand that not all plans are accurate, up to date, or in some cases even available.
Sygma Solutions is the foremost provider of cable avoidance training in the UK, with our trainers having a combined experience of cable avoidance when excavating of over 100 years. There is nothing that we don’t know about locating and identifying underground services – and that includes the limitations of the CAT and Genny, the main tools for the location of services. Unfortunately, they do have some limitations and it is essential if you are required to locate services, that you fully understand what those limitations are. If you do not, you could make a mistake and believe that the area in which an excavation needs to take place is free of any services when the opposite is true.
Accidentally striking an underground service such as a gas pipe or electricity cable when undertaking any sort of excavation work can have a massively damaging effect, not only on the person or persons doing the digging, but on the owners of the utility, their customers, and the contractors in charge of the works.
Accidentally striking an electricity cable or a gas pipe, for example, when undertaking any sort of groundwork can have a massive effect on both the person doing the digging and the owner of the asset. According to Zurich Insurance plc, there is an average of 600 serious injuries and 12 deaths attributed to contact with the electricity network every year (https://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/an_insurers_perspective.pdf). That figure refers only to electricity cable strikes. However, there are estimated to be a total of 60,000 strikes of underground services every year including others such as gas, water, sewers, telecoms, fibreoptic, and more, which works out at 230 every working day.
Between 2012 and 2017 the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) received 6,746 reports of incidents concerning damage to pipelines and the escape of flammable substances liable to cause harm. Remember that this is only concerning strikes of pipelines with flammable substances. It is just one figure out of many other strikes of underground services because there are water pipes, electricity cables, telecoms, fibreoptics, sewage pipes, and more.
Utility Strike Avoidance Group ((USAG) reported in November on research just released by Energy Networks Association (ENA) that found that nearly one-third of workers (31%) admitted not always checking for underground electricity cables before commencing to dig (https://www.utilitystrikeavoidancegroup.org/news-and-comment).
At Sygma Solutions we are acknowledged as one of the foremost providers of cable location training courses in the UK We believe that every site survey for underground services should begin with the Genny. Our Level 2 cable avoidance courses are designed for operatives who need to boost their skills and confidence and at the same time obtain a first-class level 2 qualification in cable avoidance and utility location (which is a requirement if you wish to work on HS2).
When undertaking any sort of contract that involves digging into the ground, there are, quite literally, hidden dangers. All types of services run underground – electricity, gas, water, sewers, telecoms, fibre optic, you name it – and they can be there exactly where you need to dig.
If the course you are looking for has no dates or you would like a course built for your company please contact
enquiries@sygma-solutions.com for current availability and booking form
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
Please contact enquires@sygma-solutions.com for future dates and a booking form
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
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
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
Dates: Contact Us
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1 Day Mala GPR Module 2 – Post processing
Cost: Contact us for price (2 spaces F.O.C. with Mala GPR Purchase)
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
2 Day GPR – All Manufacturers
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
5 Day TSA & ICES Approved 5 Day Utility Mapping Course
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Location: Worcester
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
1 Day Public Genny & CAT Course
Cost: £175 plus VAT
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates:
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
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
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
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
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
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