Making contact with underground services when carrying out any excavation work can be deadly – and expensive as well. Buried services are a major hazard on a construction site, and anywhere else where a contractor needs to dig. For instance, you may be asked by a utility to dig down and replace some pipework, but there may also be other utilities running right alongside the one that you have to deal with. Equally, they could be either above or below it, and it is very easy to make a cable strike.
Obviously, when planning the work, it is vital to check with all other utilities in the area for plans. However, one of the big issues is that a utility may have been in place for many years, and the simple fact is that plans are not always accurate. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is that there is no one system for recording underground services, and different utilities will do it in different ways.
It is also the case that original plans may have been hand drawn, but over the years they have been transcribed to a microfiche, and subsequently to computer records, and, to use an old phrase, things have been lost in translation. In addition, accurate records may not have been kept at all.
On top of that, you might have a situation where a contractor was required to install pipework or cabling at a certain depth, but in order to save time and money, failed to dig down as far as required. So, the utility itself believes that a pipe is at, say, five feet below ground when it is actually only three feet down! These are all reasons why you can only use plans as a guide.
In the words of the HSE in its’ excellent HSG47 guide, unless you know for certain, you should always assume that there are underground services where you are going to dig, or at least, very close by. There are some 1.5 million km of them in the UK after all.
It is vital before digging to undertake a thorough survey of the area in order to establish as far as possible what services are present in order to avoid a cable strike. This should be done using the CAT and Genny in combination. Trial holes can also be dug to confirm the exact location and depth of services.
Once underground services have been detected and identified, ground marking should be used. This allows the workers to easily locate the position of services and take precautions when working.
Any digging close to underground services should be carried out using insulated tools. Power tools or mechanical diggers should not be used within ½ metre of existing services. Best practice is to dig alongside them and then dig horizontally to expose them. Once they are exposed, services may need some extra support as they are no longer supported by the ground.
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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
30th – 31st May 2024
23rd – 24th July 2024
5th – 6th September 2024
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
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1 Day Mala GPR Module 1 – Theory & Practical
Cost: FOC
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
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1 Day Mala GPR Module 2 – Post processing
Cost: FOC
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2 Day GPR – All Manufacturers
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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 – Can include ProQual Level 2 Qualification as an option
Cost: £175 plus VAT
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Level 3 Utility Mapping Qualification – All Online
Cost: £275 PLUS REG FEE
Location: Online
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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
Dates:
3rd – 7th June 2024
1st – 5th July 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
15th – 19th April 2024 Limited spaces available
20th – 24th May 2024
10th – 14th June 2024
8th – 12th July 2024
Level 3 Utility Mapping and Surveying Public Course
24th – 25th June 2024
1st – 2nd July 2024
24th – 25th September 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:
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