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.
When undertaking a survey for buried utilities, one of the most important things is to have STATS – site plans – available. Unfortunately, the CAT and Genny are not infallible, but the more information a surveyor has on site the better chance he/she has of investigating all the possibilities. For example, if there is no signal, no marker posts, and no access points, and the service is buried out of sight, there is no way of knowing that it is there. Having records, even thought they should not be relied upon on their own, can help to identify any services that might possibly be present.
One of the biggest dangers facing any workers who need to work below ground is the issue of cable strikes. While one might think that this refers only to electric or telephone cables, in fact it is an over-arching term used to refer to striking any sort of utility – water, gas, cable tv, and so on – as well as power cables.
In the construction industry just about every project involves digging into the ground at some point, and the problem that immediately raises is that we cannot see what is in the ground itself. That means that the chances of hitting something is ever-present, and it could be anything. It might be a collection of Roman coins dating back a couple of thousand years, in which case the person doing the digging – whether by hand or using a machine – would be very happy about the find.
The failure to identify the location of buried services can result in increased project costs and delays. They can pose a great challenge when uncovered unexpectedly during excavation, and when damaged, can take considerable time to repair, costing the project a great deal of time and money.
Excavation safety is a combination of safety precautions and strategies surrounding any excavation process used in any construction or underground maintenance project. It encapsulates the responsibility that workers and construction firms have when it comes to avoiding the severe consequences of cable strikes.
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
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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
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
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2 Day GPR – All Manufacturers
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
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5 Day TSA & ICES Approved 5 Day Utility Mapping Course
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Location: Worcester
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1 Day Public Genny & CAT Course
Cost: £175 plus VAT
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates:
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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