It is said that there are some 4 million excavations that are carried out in Britain every year, which is a lot. However, figures for 2017 show that in that year only 2.25 million of those contracts were preceded by a full and thorough search for underground services in the area before work began. That is a pretty shocking figure because it means that in 44% of cases there was a risk of damage to utilities, and more seriously that workers’ lives were at risk.
Most excavation work is carried out by contractors on behalf of utilities or local authorities, but a survey carried out in 2020 found that 93% of construction workers claimed that they always dig safely. However, the same survey also found that 31% – nearly a third – admitted that they did not always check for underground electricity cables before commencing. 24% of those when asked said that they didn’t think that they would dig down far enough to hit anything, and 15% said that they didn’t think it was their job to check!
Over the six years from 2014 to 2020 there were 3,972 injuries and fatalities reported to the HSE caused by striking underground cables and other utilities, and those are only the ones which were reported. It takes no account of other incidents that were either ignored or unreported.
Assets which have been struck also need to be repaired. Indirect costs, such as worker ill-health, traffic disruption, impact on the immediate neighbourhood, loss of custom to local businesses, and so forth, also impact on the cost of the strike.
This is why it is absolutely vital to undertake a thorough survey of every site before a spade ever hits the ground. It is also essential that operatives have a full understanding of how to carry out such surveys and the use of the tools involved. They also need to know the limitations of such equipment, and there are certain limitations.
At Sygma Solutions we run training courses which are approved by The Survey Association and the CITB, and this includes the Proqual QCF Level 3 Utility Surveyor qualification. This qualification entitles the holder to obtain a gold CSCS card and to undertake a PAS128 Quality Level D (Desktop Survey) & Quality Level C (Site Reconnaissance Survey). We were the first training company to offer the Proqual QCF Level 3 Utility Surveyor qualification for experienced utility surveyors through an e-portal assessment.
We have now produced a training programme that can be delivered online for surveyors who need more training before an assessment. The courses is broken down into separate units and it covers all of the elements of the Level 3 qualification and there is a task set for each of the units. This online training is live, and enables attendees to ask questions and get answers from their instructor. The Level 3 training will enable those who need it the chance to attain their Proqual qualification without needing to travel to our location in Wigan.
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