Utility Excavations - Categories 1 & 2

Utility Excavations - Categories 1 & 2: Implement Safe (Digging) Excavating Practices

Category 1: Locate Utility Services (HSG47) covers the minimum training and assessment required for those working to safely detect utility services using recognised and approved detection methods. The standard has been derived from the following National Occupational Standards:

• EUSMUNC06 Locate and Avoid Services for Utilities Network Construction
• EUSEPUS044 Location and Identification of Underground Utility Services in the Electricity Power Utilities

It also incorporates the relevant requirements of HSE guidance documents:

• HSG47 Avoiding Danger from Underground Services
• HSG150 Health and Safety in Construction

Achievement of the standard demonstrates effective performance, by being able to demonstrate the following skills and knowledge:

• Interpret utility plan drawings and identify symbols and coded information
• Prepare and use location equipment to locate a range of underground services
• Identify the dangers and hazards associated with underground services
• Recognise why some services are more difficult to locate
• Carry out site marking using appropriate methods

Category 2: Implement Safe (Digging) Excavating Practices covers the minimum training and assessment required for those working to safely excavate and maintain holes and trenches using both hand tools and hand-held power tools. The standard has been derived from the following National Occupational Standards:

• EUSEPUS043 Carry out Excavation Work on Underground Cables in Electricity Power Environment
• EUSMUNC07 Excavate and Maintain Holes and Trenches for Utility Networks Construction
• EUSGNC007 Excavate and Maintain Holes and Trenches for Complex Operations in Gas Network Construction

It also incorporates the relevant requirements of HSE guidance documents:

• HSG47 Avoiding Danger from Underground Services
• HSG150 Health and Safety in Construction

Achievement of the standard demonstrates effective performance, by being able to demonstrate the following skills and knowledge:

• Interpret utility drawings and identify symbols and coded information
• Ensure all necessary location, marking and site safety provisions have been carried out correctly prior to any excavation work commencing
• Identify the dangers and hazards associated with excavations
• Select and use safe digging techniques to carry out and maintain excavations