NRSWA Excavation in the Highway training course

A 3 day training course designed for operatives who work and excavate in the roadways and need to locate underground apparatus and use road signs and traffic lights to protect motorists, pedestrians and the workforce.

Find out about CITB funding available for this training

N.B. The individual attending will be able to complete the Operative (Units 1,2 & 3) or Supervisor (Units 1,10 & 11) during this course.

Benefits of attending for the learner

• Greater understanding of the risks associated with striking underground services and skills to identify underground structures.
• Better planning of work in the highway, safety and communication with colleagues to set up and take down the guards to the workplace.
• Excavation techniques and associated safety measures.
• Compliance with SWQR (Streetworks Qualifications Register) registration scheme.

Benefits of attending for the employer

• Improved safety and compliance.
• Improved planning of works in the highway.
• Employees who feel their employer has made an investment in them.

What you will learn

• The risks associated with striking underground apparatus. To recognise the signs of underground services and interpret utility plans.
• To use tools, including CAT and Genny, to locate underground structures.
• To mark services ready for excavation.
• To sign, light and guard streetworks and roadworks in line with the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991, revised 2002 Code of Practice.
• Planning a signing, lighting and guarding project. Types of Works, basic principles of signing and guarding and the legal requirements.
• On-site risk assessment, methods of traffic control, speed control and operating portable traffic signals.
• Methods of excavation, safety measures and the use of road drills and saws.

What qualifications will you achieve?

• This course incorporates assessment and certification under the City and Guilds scheme 6156.
• The course also supports registration with SWQR.

How is this training delivered?

• Theory surrounding this NRSWA course is delivered in the classroom, but there is also an emphasis on practicing skills in and around the highway in a low risk, supervised, and controlled situation. Learners tell us they value the opportunity to practice skills in a real live situation.
• Excavations are undertaken in purposes-built training facilities.
• The City and Guilds qualification is assessed through written tests and observation of practical exercises.

What do I need to bring with me?

• Learners should bring safety boots, hard hat, eye protection, ear protection, working gloves, waterproof clothing and high visibility clothing to use in the practical exercises.
• Learners can bring with them any materials used by their own employer, copies of risk assessments or management systems so that they can see how their materials fit in to the context of the training.