Smart Awards Level 2 SA006 – Safe Working in Civils

Key Information

Name

Smart Awards Level 2 SA006 Safe Working in Civils

Accreditation

This qualification is approved by:

• Ofqual – qualification number 610/5024/6

Level

2

Duration

2 days

Guided Learning Hours (Ofqual)

11

Time/Notional Learning Hours (SQA Accreditation)

Ofqual Total Qualification

16

RQF – Ofqual Credit -Credit value represents the size of a unit which is determined by the learning time. One credit = 10 hours of notional learning.

2

Age

16 Plus

Qualification Type

Vocationally Related Qualification

Smart Awards Product Area

Safety Qualifications

Sector Subject Area

6.1 – Digital technology (practitioners​)

Certification

This qualification is valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of certificate issue. To remain compliant and eligible to work on telecommunications networks, individuals must renew their qualification before the expiry date.

Network Operative Passport Scheme (NOPS)

This qualification is fully aligned with the requirements of the Network Operative Passport Scheme (NOPS). Successful completion of this qualification is recorded within the NOPS system, ensuring operatives are visible and verifiable to employers and site access systems across the industry.

Prerequisites and Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements and Smart Awards will not restrict access on the grounds of prior academic attainment, employment, geographic location, or any other grounds. There are no barriers to access or progression, supporting inclusivity and equal opportunity for all learners.

All learners, even those that hold a SA002 Underground Safety, are required to complete all 3 modules of SA006

Learners must have a basic understanding of the English language for regulated qualifications that are approved by Ofqual or SQA Accreditation.

Please note: 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.

This qualification does not qualify an individual to enter a confined space. Those individuals who need to enter confined spaces MUST hold appropriate accreditation / qualification 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.

Mandatory units and optional routes to completion.

Learners must complete the Safe Working in Civils unit in full to achieve this qualification. No optional units or routes are available.

Additional requirements to achieve this qualification.

None

Methods of Assessment

This qualification will be assessed through a practical and theory test. The aim of the assessment is to ensure successful learners have adequate knowledge and understanding of safe working in civils in a telecommunications environment.

Assessment guidance, assessor requirements and additional qualification documentation is supplied to approved Smart Awards centres via Quartz.

Theory test

Learners are required to pass a 55-question multiple-choice test, with questions randomly selected from a secure question bank to ensure comprehensive coverage of all assessment criteria. The test is timed, and learners will have 90 minutes to complete it.

All multiple-choice tests are conducted online via the Smart Awards online assessment platform.

Practical assessment

During the practical assessment, the learner will demonstrate competency when performing all pre works checks, setting up the site and safely entering an underground chamber, then clearing the site. The learner will have 30 minutes to complete the practical assessment

Grading

Learners will be graded (Fail or Pass) on an achievement or non-achievement basis.

The final grade will be determined by collective performance in the two assessment tools (theory and practical).

Learners are required to achieve both the theory and practical assessments to achieve the qualification.

• Theory – To achieve a pass, 80% or more is required.
• Practical – If one major fault is given the learner will automatically fail.
• Learners must receive fewer than six minor faults to pass the practical assessment.

If there are major health and safety failures due to learners’ actions or understanding, the assessment MUST be stopped. The learner should be taken to a suitable area to be explained the reason for stopping the assessment and that his assessment is deemed as failed.

Guidance on the major failures that should result in stopping the assessment is provided in the practical assessment.

Reasonable adjustments and special considerations

Smart Awards approved centres that have learners with specific requirements should refer to the Smart Awards Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy and Procedure. This document outlines the support available to ensure fair access to assessments. It can be found on the Smart Awards website at www.smartawards.co.uk

Recognition of Prior Learning

Smart Awards is committed to supporting Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and has established a dedicated policy and set of procedures to guide and assist approved centres in its implementation. The full policy is available on the Smart Awards website at www.smartawards.co.uk

Required resources and site requirements for delivering this Qualification

To ensure a safe and effective learning and assessment environment, the following site requirements must be met for the delivery of the SA006 Safe Working in Civils:

• Access to a suitable training area that simulates real-world underground telecoms environments, including chambers, duct, or other relevant infrastructure.
• A variety of chambers interconnected with ducting installed at the correct depth to simulate a network e.g., JF2, JF4, JF6, JF10.
• Each chamber should have a minimum of 1 metre of bound material around each frame and cover.
• A safe separate area with a frame and cover to simulate a road chamber.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn by all learners and assessors, including safety helmets, high-visibility clothing, gloves, and appropriate footwear.
• The site must comply with current health and safety regulations, including safe access/egress, signage, and emergency procedures.
• Adequate first aid provision must be available on-site throughout the training and assessment period.
• The site must provide access to classroom or indoor facilities for the delivery of theoretical content and the completion of the online multiple-choice assessment.

Recommendation

• A frame and cover to simulate a castellated footway chamber.
• If you wish to do quality/ craft assessments then the recommendation would be to have a practical area which has a minimum of three pits, with 10 meters of interconnected ducting between each pit.
• Infrastructure as above: one JF4 frame & cover at one end of the duct run, one 10 box frame & cover in the centre of the duct run, & one JF4 or a castellated frame and cover at the other end of the duct run.

SMART AWARDS LEVEL 2 in SA006 SAFE WORKING IN CIVILS

• Ofqual: Qualification number 610/5024/6

Minimum TQT for this pathway = 16

Minimum number of credits = 2

Minimum number of units = 1

Minimum number of GLH = 11

Minimum number of assessment time = 2

Other learning time = 3

Unit Number

Unit title

Level

M/O

GLH

ASS

OTHER LEARNING

TQT

CREDITS

J/651/3999

SAFE WORKING IN CIVILS

2

M

11

2

3

16

2

1. Know relevant health and safety legislation and industry good practice. when working in a civils works environment 

1.1.  Outline the key health and safety legislation and industry good practice.

1.2.  Outline the emergency planning procedures relevant to the work area.

1.3.  State your legal responsibilities for health and safety as required by the Health and Safety at Work Act appropriate to site working.

2. Know the principles of risk assessment for maintaining and improving health and safety at work.

2.1.  State the purpose of risk assessments and method statements.

2.2.  State the legal requirements of risk assessments and method statements

2.3.  State common causes of work-related: Injuries/fatalities

2.4.  State the implications of not preventing accidents and ill health at work

2.5.  State the meaning of the following in relation to health and safety at work: accident/near miss/hazard/risk/competence

2.6.  List typical hazards/risks associated with the following: resources/equipment/obstructions/storage/services/waste/work activities

2.7.  State the importance of reporting accidents and near misses.

2.8.  State typical accident reporting procedures.

2.9.  State who is responsible for making accident reports.

2.10. State the purpose of dynamic risk assessments

3. Know the importance of safe manual handling in the workplace.

3.1.  State the reasons for ensuring safe manual handling in the workplace

3.2.  State potential injuries and ill health that may occur from incorrect manual handling

3.3.  State the employee’s responsibilities under current legislation and official guidance for:

–       Moving and storing materials

–       Manual handling

–       Mechanical lifting

3.4.  State the procedures for safe lifting in accordance with official guidance

3.5.  State the importance of using site safety equipment when handling materials and equipment

3.6.  List aids available to assist manual handling in the workplace

3.7.  State how to apply safe work practices, follow procedures and report problems when carrying out safe manual handling in the workplace

4. Know how to avoid dangers of underground services

4.1.  Identify how to locate underground services

4.2.  State how to interpret a job pack including utility prints.

4.3.  Outline safe digging practices and the need for trench support.

4.4.  List risks, hazards associated with underground services

4.5.  Identify the use of signs and markers used by utilities

5. Know the importance of working in a confined space

5.1.  Identify when a work location has the potential to become a confined space,

5.2.  List the hazards associated with a confined space

5.3.  State the procedures to follow when entering and exiting a confined space

6. Know the importance of working safely at height in the workplace.

6.1.  Define the term ‘working at height’

6.2.  State the employee’s responsibilities under current legislation and official guidance whilst working at height

6.3.  List hazards/risks associated with the following:

–       Dropping tools and debris

–       Stability of ladders

–       Overhead cables

–       Fragile roofs

–       Scaffolds

–       Internal voids

–       Equipment

–       The working area

–       Other equipment

6.4.  State how hazards/risks associated with working at height can be controlled

6.5.  State the regulation that controls the use of suitable equipment for working at height

7. Know the importance of working around plant, tools and equipment safely.

7.1.  List ways in which moving machinery can cause injuries

7.2.  State hazards/risks relating to the use of plant, tools and equipment

7.3.  State the importance of safeguards located near where plant, machinery and equipment are being used.

7.4.  State the importance of keeping a safe distance away from plant/machinery and equipment until clear contact is made with the operator

7.5.  Outline how method statements can assist in ensuring the safety of workers where moving plant is in use

7.6.  State ways to eliminate or control hazards/risks relating to working around plant and equipment

7.7.  Identify hazard warning signs and symbols used around the use of plant and equipment

8. Understand how to interpret utility drawings and maintain accurate information to ensure a safe and secure working environment

8.1.  State how to check and interpret information received for accuracy, validity and meaning and the importance of doing so.

8.2.  List the information which needs to be provided to others relating to the health, safety and security of the site

8.3.  Outline the purpose of data audit trails and how to use and maintain them

9. Know risks to health when working onsite

9.1.  List substances hazardous to health under current regulations

9.2.  List common risks to health within a utility construction environment

9.3.  State the types of hazards/risks that may occur in the workplace linked with use of drugs and alcohol

9.4.  State the importance of the correct storage of combustibles and chemicals on site

9.5.  State the importance of personal hygiene within a construction environment

9.6.  State the potential hazards/risks to the health of workers exposed to asbestos

9.7.  State types of asbestos waste

9.8.  State types of personal protective equipment (PPE) used when dealing with hazardous materials

10. Know how to maintain a safe and secure working environment

10.1. State how to work in a safe manner which ensures you do not endanger yourself, others or the environment

10.2. State how you select, check condition, use and store the appropriate PPE for the task

10.3. State how you prevent unauthorised people accessing the work site in accordance with organisational procedures.

10.4. State how you maintain safe access and egress to and from work locations

11. Be able to work safely

11.1. Identify the hazards and risks associated with the working area and the proposed work.

11.2. Work in a way which maintains health and safety and is consistent with relevant legislation and industry good practice.

11.3. Use correct personal protective equipment

11.4. Undertake equipment and tool safety checks.

11.5. Carry out work to minimise environmental damage.

12. Be able to carry out gas testing safely

12.1. Carry out a site-specific risk assessment

12.2. Use safe method adopted by industry for testing gas in chambers and operational buildings.

12.3. Use testing tools and equipment in accordance with work instructions.

12.4. Check condition of gas testing tools and equipment.

12.5. Perform gas and water test safely.

13. Be able to demonstrate safe methods of testing for lifting covers before working underground

13.1. Use correct manual handling methods.

13.2. Use tools and equipment used in the industry for lifting covers from joint boxes and manholes safely.

13.3. Remove and replace joint box and carriageway covers safely.

13.4. Use utility prints to aid in the location of chambers.

14.  Know the hazards of working in underground chambers or structures

14.1. State the dangers when entering underground chambers or structures.

14.2. Outline the equipment used by industry for detecting gas.

14.3. Describe what needs to be done if gas is found.

14.4. State the types of gases.

14.5. State safe working in locations which, potentially, have hazardous gas.

14.6. Outline the reporting requirements where gas has been found.

14.7. Outline the requirements for water testing.

14.8. Describe how to keep own safety/safety of others.

15. Know how to carry out cover lifting safely

15.1. State how to manage the risks associated with cover lifting.

15.2. State how to avoid injury to operatives and the general public.

15.3. Outline the different covers used.

15.4. Describe how to identify polluted water in underground structures in line with environmental requirements.

15.5. State how to avoid damage to underground apparatus.