NRSWA Unit LA or Cat & Genny Training - Open Course

In-House CAT & Genny Training

Please note the subjects covered may vary at different course sites

• Reasons for using locators – both safety and financial.
• Theory – covering both the benefits of the system and the limitations of this cat and genny technology.
• HSE Video – Alive or Dead.
• Relevant health and safety legislation.
• Practical work – hands-on locating using receiver, transmitter and accessories.
• Feedback, questions/answers, application and techniques, general care and maintenance of equipment.

The course also covers

• Simple ways to locate street lighting cables.
• Location of bends.
• Location of junctions.
• Identification of utilities.
• Service connections.
• Safe working practices.
• Locating through concrete reinforcing.
• Depth measurement (Where Applicable).
• Using Sondes (a specific transmitter) for Non-Metallic Pipes.

NRSWA Unit LA

The NRSWA is an accredited certification and therefore covers specific learning objectives set by HAUC UK (Highway Authorities & Utilities Committee).
The learning objectives covered in this course are:

• Understand and interpret plans that show the location of underground utilities
• Understand and identify utility and highway services that could be encountered during excavation of highways
• Understand the hazards and risks associated with utilities and highway services when excavating
• Understand how to use, and use, equipment that locates underground pipes and cables
• Follow safe working practices on site (e.g. PPE, safe use of tools and use of risk assessments) by being able to identify and follow the relevant health and safety regulations, standards or any other legislation

Utility Services include:

• Plastic and metal gas mains and services
• Plastic and metal water mains and services
• Sewers and drains
• Low and high-voltage electricity cables
• Telecommunications and television cables
• fibre optic cables

Highway Services include:

• highways drainage
• Culverts
• Land drains
• Street lighting and traffic signal equipment
• Roads with special engineering controls

NRSWA Training

You will complete an assessment consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions with 45 minutes in which to answer them. You will pass the unit if you achieve a score of 80% or more.

Successful completion of the NRSWA Location and Avoidance training course results in you gaining a City & Guild, SQA or CABWI (location dependant) certificate and a Street works card or ‘Ticket’ valid for 5 years.
NRSWA training courses are mainly practical, but you will have some written work.

In-house Training

You will complete a short assessment that may differ depending on the training school. The in-house certificate is valid for 3 years, then it is suggested you complete the training again to keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date.

There are no formal entry requirements to complete NRSWA Location and Avoidance training. However, you must be literate and able to read and write in English in order to understand the course content and complete the exam successfully.

Different awarding bodies for NRSWA qualifications have different rules about special considerations for delegates:

The delegate must be literate and be able to read and write in English – SQA Awarding Body
The delegate can have a reader this would be the trainer or a member of staff at the training school – City and Guilds Awarding Body

If you have any questions or concerns regarding support during the course, please contact our team.