Any contractor that is required to undertake excavation work in the course of a project should, without question, carry out a thorough survey of the site before commencing any digging, whether by hand or machine. A cable strike can, and often does, cause serious injuries to workers on the site, and these can sometimes be fatal.
Indeed, the HSE gives an example of a company which was fined £210,000 after a worker was killed by an explosion when he and other workers were using breakers and a shovel and struck an 11,000-volt live cable. The HSE stated “The company had not informed workers that there were live cables in the excavation and failed to put adequate measures in place to prevent them being damaged”.
This is why it is critical for operatives who need to undertake a survey of a site before any digging begins to undergo cable avoidance training in the use of the tools involved. Apart from any other considerations, there is also the damage to the service that has been struck. At the very least it will need to be repaired, but it can also cause considerable expense to businesses that suddenly find themselves with no broadband, for example, and they may well seek redress from the contractor responsible.
At Sygma Solutions we have over 100 years of combined experience in the location and identification of underground services using the appropriate tools, and our cable avoidance training classes are second to none. We provide training in the classroom and follow this up with practical training out on site. The fact is that avoiding a cable strike is much easier when you have had training from the experts.
As technically advanced as the various tools are, they also have certain limitations, and it is essential that operatives fully understand what these are and what to do when a problem may arise. So, for example, if you are using GPR – Ground Penetrating Radar – on a site, the radar unit needs to be close to the ground. This can prove difficult if the site is overgrown or very uneven, as it may not be possible for a signal to be generated. GPR doesn’t locate an actual service but finds differences in the ground density in order to indicate the likelihood of a service being there.
That is just one example of the things that an operative must take into account, but our training will teach you everything that you need to know.
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
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
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
Dates: Contact Us
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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 June 2025 Limited Availability
28th July – 1st August 2025 Limited Availability
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
28th April – 2nd May 2025 Limited Availability
12th – 16th May 2025 Limited Availability
14th – 18th July 2025 Limited Availability
11th – 15th August 2025
8th – 12th September 2025
29th September – 3rd October 2025
27th – 31st October 2025
24th – 28th November 2025
8th – 12th December 2025
Level 3 Utility Mapping and Surveying Public Course
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
28th – 29th April 2025 Limited Availability
12th – 13th May 2025 Limited Availability
14th – 15th July 2025 Limited Availability
11th – 12th August 2025
8th – 9th September 2025
29th – 20th September 2025
27th – 28th October 2025
24th – 25th November 2025
8th – 9th December 2025
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 for any course