The EUSR cable avoidance program is recognised throughout the UK utility sector. It is an independent skills platform which provides recognised standards across the sector and several programs aimed at improving the competency and skills of individual operatives. It provides the nation with a highly qualified pool of individuals to support various utility projects across the country.

What Does EUSR Offer?

Individuals who qualify for registration with EUSR are issued with a card and appear on the EUSR website. This offers benefits to both individuals and employers. For individual operatives, it makes it much easier to prove your competency and move between different companies and projects by providing instantly recognised credibility.

For employers, it makes it easier to hire talented and skilled individuals who are industry recognised. This will prevent the chances of sending out unqualified operatives that could accidentally cause cable strikes due to lack of appropriate training.

Who is EUSR for?

EUSR is for the industry as a whole as well as individuals who work within the sector. It is operated by Energy & Utility Skills, the sector skills body for the gas, power, waste management and water industries and programs are designed to support industry employers and add value to the sector.

What is the HSG47 – Avoiding Dangers from Underground Services

When people refer to EUSR training, they are generally referring to HSG47. This program covers the specific needs and requirements for operatives in the utility sector.

Major Course Components

The course covers a wide range of aspects, including the general context of the utility industry and why cable avoidance methods are needed. Below are additional components and skills you will cover if you take the HSG47, as described by EUSR.

Explain how plans and utility searches assist in the avoidance of underground services

Describe the process for underground mapping

State the requirements for safe systems of work in accordance with HSG47

Explain how cable and pipe avoidance is achieved

Describe the problems associated with the use of cable avoidance equipment in a construction site

• State the requirements of HSG47
• Describe the dangers of underground services
• Describe the requirements for planning the work in accordance with HSG47
• Describe the practices used to help ensure safe digging
• State the requirements for backfilling
• Describe how to deal with “the unknown service”

What Else Does HSG47 Cover?

The EUSR HSG47 is aimed at all those involved in commissioning, planning, managing and carrying out utility projects and work near any underground infrastructure that could be disrupted by excavations.

As well as individual operatives, it will also be useful to company owners and the owners and shareholders of various services for understanding how industry best practices should be carried out.

Essentially, the program describes the potential dangers of working near underground services and gives advice on how to reduce any direct risks to people’s health and safety. This includes how to use the right industry tools and equipment, as well as how official surveys and information should be processed to understand the presence of any and all cables. The three major elements the course will cover are:

• Planning safe excavations
• Locating and identifying buried services
• Performing safe excavations

Why is EUSR Cable Avoidance Needed?

The utility sector in the UK employees many thousands of people. Whilst most of these individuals work to very high standards, there are still many unnecessary accidents that occur each year. Unfortunately, the training and knowledge of some individuals fall far below an acceptable level and is actually dangerous in some circumstances.

Due to the size of the industry and the increasing need for utility work and underground excavations, it is necessary for various governing, educational and supportive bodies to help maintain the overall standards of the sector. EUSR is one such example of this and works hard to make sure that there is greater quality, safety and diligence in the sector.

EUSR Training with Sygma Solutions

Sygma Solutions Ltd are a EUSR approved training provider and a CITB approved centre. Our Unique HSG47 Course in Utility Location is EUSR approved and can now be added as a category on any EUSR Card. We also deliver the EUSR Category 1 Utility Location Course.

In addition to this, we are an approved ProQual Centre and can deliver nationally recognised qualifications in utility detection and mapping. If you would like to find out more about our courses or arrange to join one of our training programs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly staff.