HSG47 is a publication from the Health and Safety Executive aimed specifically at all those who are connected in any way with works or contracts that involve any excavation.
The fact is that it is generally estimated, although there are no definite figures since records are not kept, that there are over 4 million contracts involving excavation that take place across Britain every year. That is an awful lot of digging, and it results in around 60,000 cable strikes – strikes of underground services of all types, not just cables – each year. Many of these strikes result in serious injury to workers and in some cases are fatal. There are around a dozen fatalities each year.
The problem is that there are anywhere from 1.5 million kilometres to 2.5 million kilometres of underground services of all types, depending upon whose figures you believe. Now if your contract involves digging in the high street or in a residential area it is fairly obvious that there are going to be underground services there. There will be water, sewage pipes, electricity, fibreoptics, and telecoms as a minimum, and there may also be gas in many areas, plus other underground services such as flammable liquids and gases, toxic liquids and gases, inert gases such as nitrogen and argon, and fluids under pressure.
Striking a telecoms cable or fibreoptic cable may not result in serious injury to workers, but it can cause problems for businesses and residents in the area. It can also be very costly to repair. One might think that striking a water pipe would not cause injury either, but in fact it maybe under pressure, and it can also propel stones and other items out of the soil.
Striking an electricity cable is always going to be serious, as is striking a gas pipe. Fire and explosion are definitely on the cards. However, striking a gas pipe can cause damage which is not immediately noticeable but may cause a leak later on. Flammable gases can also enter cable-carrying ducts, especially if the duct has been damaged. These gases can accumulate in manholes and underground chambers presenting a risk to workers needing to work there.
HSG47 states that a safe working system has three basic elements as follows:
All three are essential when undertaking work near any underground services.
Unfortunately, records kept by local authorities and utilities are often not available for a variety of reasons. If they are available, they may be incorrect. There are no common rules and regulations for keeping records, and they may have undergone transformation from drawings to microfiches to computerised records, and errors may have crept in along the way.
This is why it is essential to first obtain any available records, but not to rely upon them as gospel. A thorough survey of the area to be excavated must be carried out before any work is commenced.
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
Please contact us about open days
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
30th – 31st May 2024
23rd – 24th July 2024
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: FOC
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
1 Day Mala GPR Module 2 – Post processing
Cost: FOC
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 – Can include ProQual Level 2 Qualification as an option
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
Dates:
3rd – 7th June 2024
1st – 5th July 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
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
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