SA002 – Underground Safety

Who is SA002 - Underground Safety training for?

This accreditation is aimed at those individuals who undertake work in a telecommunication (or similar utility) environment.

What will you learn?

This accreditation is one mandatory unit, over a one-day course which covers gas testing and cover lifting. Learners are provided with the knowledge and skills to identify the hazards and potential risks involved in working safely on, or in proximity to, underground structures and operational buildings. The SA002 - Underground Safety course will teach you how to identify the hazards and potential risks involved in working safely on or in proximity to underground structures and operational buildings. It also enables learners to gain knowledge of compliance for Health and Safety legislation. In addition, it will test learners’ knowledge, skills and understanding of dangers associated with these works and the safety precautions required while working in the underground network.

Underground Safety Course Learning Objectives:

• Be able to work safely
• Be able to carry out gas testing safely
• Be able to demonstrate safe methods of testing for lifting covers before working underground
• Know relevant health and safety legislation and industry good practice
• Know the hazards of working in underground chambers or structures
• Know how to carry out cover lifting safely

Streetworks

Please be aware the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) requires at least one person on site to hold a Street Works card to work on the highway.

This Smart Awards accreditation is based on a pre-requisite that any work on the highway requires appropriate Street Works accreditation to be held by an individual working on site, and that this individual is qualified to check that the planned provision of footways, traffic lanes and safety zones determined by the site survey meets with the requirements of the site location and approved procedures and practices required by the NRSWA 1991.

Some companies’ policies may vary where more than one person on site is required to hold a valid Street Works card.

Confined Spaces

This accreditation does not qualify an individual to enter a confined space. Those individuals who need to enter confined spaces MUST hold appropriate accreditation / accreditation to enter confined spaces. Any references made in this material to confined spaces are for information only and to make learners aware of the risks and presence of gases that may also be present in confined spaces.

You will be assessed via your theory assessment, on the following criteria:

• Identify the hazards and risks associated with the working area and the proposed work
• Work in a way which maintains health and safety and is consistent with relevant legislation and industry good practice
• Use correct personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Undertake equipment and tool safety checks
• Carry out work to minimise environmental damage
• Carry out a site-specific risk assessment
• Use safe method adopted by industry for testing gas in chambers and operational buildings
• Use testing tools and equipment in accordance with work instructions
• Check condition of gas testing tools and equipment
• Perform gas and water test safely
• Use correct manual handling methods
• Use tools and equipment used in the industry for lifting covers from joint boxes and manholes safely
• Remove and replace joint box and carriageway covers safely
• Use utility prints to aid in the location of chambers
• Outline the key health and safety legislation and industry good practice
• Outline the key health and safety regulations that need to be observed when working underground
• Describe how to use and maintain tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment
• Outline the emergency planning procedures relevant to the work area
• State the dangers when entering underground chambers or structures
• Outline the equipment used by industry for detecting gas
• Describe what needs to be done if gas is found
• State the types of gases
• State safe working in locations which, potentially, have hazardous gas
• Outline the reporting requirements where gas has been found
• Outline the requirements for water testing
• Describe how to keep own safety and safety of others
• State how to manage the risks associated with cover lifting
• State how to avoid injury to operatives and the public
• Outline the different covers used
• Describe how to identify polluted water in underground structures in line with environmental requirements
• State how to avoid damage to underground apparatus

Assessment

The course includes both practical and theory assessment.

• Practical Assessment - where you will demonstrate your knowledge of practical tasks
• Theory test which is composed of multiple choice questions

On receiving payment for your SA002 - Underground Safety course, an email with your ‘course joining instructions’ is sent to you.
This document includes the following details:

• Your chosen course date
• Course start time at your chosen venue
• Address of your chosen venue, including a map screenshot
• Details of what to do if you need any special requirements to complete the course

You need to bring photographic ID, such as a driving licence or passport with you.

Lunch is not included, so please provide your own.

Entry Requirements

This qualification is available to anyone over the age of 18 years old. There are no formal entry requirements and Smart Awards will not restrict access on the grounds of prior academic attainment, age, employment, geographic location or any other grounds. There are no barriers that restrict access or progression, thereby promoting equality. It is expected however, that learners will have a level of literacy adequate to cope with both the theory and practical assessments.

Assessment

The course includes both practical and theory assessment.

• Practical Assessment - where you will demonstrate your knowledge of practical tasks
• Theory test which is composed of multiple choice questions

Certification

This Smart Awards certificate is valid for 3 years, you will then need to complete a refresher course to renew your qualification.

Please download the course overview below; easy to print and email if you need to share course information with a manager or colleague. If you would like an overview sent to you, please fill out the form below.

strong>Below is a list of our current locations for the SA002 Smart Awards Certification.

Got a group? We have a network of locations that we can use for group bookings, contact a member of the PPS team to find out how we can help you.

Edinburgh

Located just off of the M8 in Livingston, is where you will find the Edinburgh training venue. This close proximity to links to the M8 make it an ideal location when travelling by car.

Coventry

In Bedworth, West Midlands, is the location of our Coventry training location. Between the M6 and A444, this training venue is in easy reach of Birmingham and Leicester.

Hampshire

The Hampshire training location is in the town of Tadley, just north of Basingstoke.

Manchester

Located in Bury, Manchester is where this training venue is located. This location is ideal for delegates travelling from Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds or Sheffield.

Middlesbrough

Located in the town of Stockton-on-Tees outside of Middlesbrough is the location of this training venue. Close to amenities, the A66 is minutes away providing good transport links to major roads across the north of England.

Somerset

Conveniently located to road links, the Somerset training venue is in Hallatrow, where the A37 and A39 intersect.

Surrey

Located near Gatwick airport off of the M23 is the Surrey training venue for this course. If traveling by public transport, this venue is a short taxi ride from Gatwick Airport Train Station.

Warminster

Located in the town of Codford in Wiltshire, the Warminster training venue is just off of the A36 and the town's high street.

Warwickshire

With easy access to the M40, this Warwickshire training venue is located in the village of Snitterfield, a 10 minute drive from the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Please download the course overview below; easy to print and email if you need to share course information with a manager or colleague. If you would like an overview sent to you, please fill out the form below.