SA011 Locate and Clear Blockages in Utilities 

Prerequisites 

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 that restrict access or progression, thereby promoting equality.
Learners must have a basic understanding of the English language for regulated qualifications that are approved by Ofqual of 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.

Target Audience

The target audience is aimed at those working on the telecoms network or similar utilities including suppliers and contractors

Age

This qualification is available to anyone over the age of 16 who can reach the required standard. There are no barriers that restrict access or progression thereby promoting equal opportunity.

Progression

This qualification is a stand-alone accreditation. Upon completion, the learners may wish to undertake other stand-alone qualifications relevant to their industry at the same or higher level and/or to support employment.

Qualfication Structure

To achieve this qualification a minimum of 2 credits need to be attained. This comprises of 1 mandatory unit.
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) = 18
Total Qualfication Time (TQT) = 22
Credits = 2

Assessor Ratio

The assessor ratio is 1:8

Site Requirements

• Safe stable ground to position ladders to a height of 4.5 meters against a safe secure structure
• Top and bottom-end stability devices
• Gate guards, ladder fastening/lashing rope (securing the ladder to pole), ladders, pole test equipment, measuring rods

Recommendation:

• Nursey poles – At least one climbing step below working steps, 600mm from ground level and a recommended pole height of 2300mm
• A minimum one set blue ladders etc. to be available during the assessments (joint user poles)
• Ladder fall arrest system (equipment) where applicable
• A simulated HV and LV (joint user) pole
• A simulated defective pole (D pole)

Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must be identified as part of the induction process, and in advance of any learner assessment,  this includes identifying non-English-speaking learners.

It is important that reasonable adjustments do not affect the reliability or validity of the assessment and they should not give the learner an advantage over other learners undertaking the same assessment. Please refer to Smart Awards reasonable adjustment and special consideration policy.

Special Considerations

Special consideration may be given following a scheduled assessment to a learner who is present for the assessment but who may have been disadvantaged by temporary illness, injury, or adverse circumstances which arose at or near the time of assessment and who misses part of the assessment due to circumstances outside their control.

A centre should apply for special consideration using the special consideration application process via Quartz Web. Please refer to Smart Awards reasonable adjustments and special consideration policy.

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 working safely where underground spaces or structures present additional risks. 

Grading

Learners will be graded 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 critical fault is given the learner will automatically fail.
• If 6 or more minor faults are given the learner will fail.
• The learner needs to achieve less than 6 minor faults to pass.

Overall Grade Fail/Pass