Locate and avoid supply apparatus for utilities network construction

Overview

This Standard is about locating and avoiding supply apparatus for utilities network construction.  Supply apparatus could be above or below ground services, built structures, and the natural environment including foundations, tree roots or natural watercourses.  It could apply to Network construction operations for a single utility or in a multi-utility environment.

It involves using appropriate search and detection methods, keeping updated records, identifying and avoiding risks of damage to services and danger to people, and following safe work practices. Supply apparatus in the context of this national occupational standard relates to supply apparatus for utilities and other agencies.

This Standard is for anyone  who locates and avoids supply apparatus for utilities network construction.

 

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. use work instructions and interpret utility plans to determine the extent of the work site and to enable the supply apparatus to be marked
  2. carry out site specific risk assessment, and review in accordance with
  3. company procedures
  4. use surface evidence, electronic location equipment, trial holes, and drawings to enable supply apparatus to be marked
  5. mark the position and type of supply apparatus and sub-structures on the work site in accordance with work instructions and statutory and regulatory Codes of Practice
  6. mark risks of damage to supply apparatus and sub-structures in accordance with statutory and regulatory Codes of Practice
  7. record positions and types of supply apparatus and sub-structures in organisational information systems
  8. communicate details of the position and type of supply apparatus and sub-structures to appropriate people in accordance with instruction and organisational requirements
  9. check with appropriate people any circumstances where information appears incorrect
  10. report deviations in the position of equipment and identification of other structures in accordance with instruction and organisational requirements
  11. maintain the position and condition of supply apparatus within the work site in accordance with their specification and Codes of Practice
  12. ensure working practices within the work site avoid damage to supply apparatus
  13. ensure exposed supply apparatus are supported, protected and secure in compliance with their specification and to approved procedures
  14. report any damage to supply apparatus to appropriate people and make area safe without delay
  15. resolve day-to-day problems within your area of responsibility, referring those that are not to appropriate people
  16. take precautions to protect people and equipment from the effects of damage to supply apparatus in accordance with approved procedures and practices
  17. ensure all work complies with latest specifications, statutory regulations and company Codes of Practice
  18. follow all procedures where you are a lone worker

 

Knowledge & Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. relevant statutory and regulatory requirements relating to health and safety, excavations, roads and street works, location of supply apparatus where this exposes other services, hazardous materials, accidents and personal protective equipment
  2. the risks associated with not maintaining the safety and integrity of supply apparatus,
  3. the regulations governing the type of hazard associated with different supplies and actions to take in the case of damage
  4. industry procedures and practices for confirming the location and marking of supply apparatus
  5. the key physical properties of the supply pipeline or component, size (diameter), colour, material and its resistance to impact from excavation activities, typical locations and depths, methods of identification of supply apparatus for utilities and other agencies’
  6. the physical properties of the contents of the medium being carried by the supply apparatus, ignition characteristics, density relative to air, electrocution, water damage.
  7. methods of visually locating and identifying underground supply
  8. apparatus, including markers, signs and features, and the use of existing records
  9. the implications of damage to the supply apparatus including personal danger to self or others, damage to the environment, costs of repair and delay in job progress
  10. roles and responsibilities of the various organisations involved in the
  11. work and how to liaise with them including the people or organisations to notify in case of damage to supply apparatus or other underground structures
  12. methods of marking out for excavation work and the outcomes of incorrect marking out of the excavations, including costs, loss of time, and material wastage
  13. the importance of providing adequate support and protection for supply
  14. apparatus during excavation work and methods of providing temporary and permanent support
  15. safe procedures for handling the necessary equipment
  16. how to use and interpret the results of electronic detection equipment readings and the effects of external influences on readings
  17. when trial holes can be used to locate underground supplies
  18. the importance of referring problems outside your responsibility and when to do so
  19. the procedures for reporting and recording job progress, problems and deviations to work programmes