Locate and Avoid Supply Apparatus in Non Routine Operations for Gas Network Construction

URN: EUS GNC006
Business Sectors (Suites): Gas Network Construction
Developed by: Energy & Utility Skills
Approved on: 01 Dec 2017

Overview

This national occupational standard defines the competence involved in locating and avoiding supply apparatus in non routine operations by using appropriate search and detection methods, keeping updated records, identifying and avoiding risks of damage to services and danger to personnel, 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 those responsible for managing field operations during gas network construction activities. These activities will usually include the leadership and direction of the members of a team and decision making regarding the approach to take when undertaking the work.

This standard consists of four elements:

  1. locate supply apparatus
  2. maintain the safety and integrity of supply apparatus
  3. use and communicate data and information to locate and maintain supply apparatus
  4. resolve problems which arise during work activities

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

Locate supply apparatus**

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 company procedures

3.         use surface evidence, electronic location equipment, trial holes, and drawings to enable supply apparatus to be marked

4.         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

5.         mark risks of damage to supply apparatus and sub-structures in accordance with statutory and regulatory Codes of Practice

6.         record positions and types of supply apparatus and sub-structures in accordance with instructions and organisational requirements

7.         communicate details of the position and type of supply apparatus and sub-structures to personnel in accordance with instruction and organisational requirements

8.         report deviations in the position of equipment and identification of other structures, other equipment in accordance with instruction and organisational requirements

9.         carry out all work to approved procedures and practices and in compliance with statutory requirements

Maintain the safety and integrity of supply apparatus

10.      maintain the position and condition of supply apparatus within the work site in accordance with their specification and Codes of Practice

11.      ensure working practices within the work site avoid damage to supply apparatus

12.      ensure exposed supply apparatus are supported correctly, protected safely and securely, in compliance with their specification and to approved procedures

13.      take precautions to protect personnel and equipment from the effects of damage to supply apparatus in accordance with approved procedures and practices

14.      ensure all work complies with latest specifications, statutory regulations and approved practices and procedures and practices

Use and communicate data and information

15.       check with designated personnel any circumstances where information appears incorrect

16.       use organisational information systems to record and store data and information 

17.       follow all approved operational and organisational procedures for lone working

Resolve problems that arise during work activities

18.      report promptly, to the designated person, any damage to supply apparatus and make area safe.

19.      resolve day-to-day problems within the area of responsibility of the job holder

20.      advise colleagues or managers where situations need them to intervene

21.      refer matters outside the responsibility of the job holder to the designated people using approved procedures


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

General

1.          the main responsibilities of the employer and employee under the Health and Safety at Work Act

2.          the main responsibilities of the employer and employee under environmental legislation

3.          the company reporting lines, roles, responsibilities and levels of authority

4.          the safe procedures for handling hazardous materials

5.          organisational accident recording and reporting procedures

6.          the range and use of personal protective equipment for the work

 Supply Apparatus and Sub-structure**

7.          typical locations and depths of the usual range of underground supply apparatus

8.          methods of marking underground supply apparatus e.g. identification tape

9.          the type of hazard associated with different supplies and actions to take in the case of damage.

10.       the persons or organisations to be notified in the case of damage to supply apparatus or other underground structures

11.       methods of marking out for excavation work to ensure the accurate location of the required excavation.

12.       the outcomes of incorrect marking out of the excavations, including costs, loss of time, and material wastage

13.       the importance of protecting supply apparatus exposed during excavation work

14.       methods of providing temporary and permanent support to protect supply apparatus exposed during site excavations

15.       the main sources of legislation relating to highways operations in the proximity of other supply apparatus.

16.       methods of visually locating and identifying underground supply apparatus, including markers, signs and features, and the use of existing records

17.       principles of operation and method of use of electronic detection equipment and their limitations

18.       the safe procedures for handling the range of equipment necessary to carry out the task in hand

19.       how to interpret the results of electronic detection equipment readings

20.       the possible effects of external influences on electronic detection equipment readings

21.       the situations where trial holes can be used to locate underground supplies

22.       regulations governing the location of supply apparatus where this exposes other services

23.       the precautions to be observed during supply location works, including statutory and regulatory requirements.

24.       industry procedures and practices for confirming the location and marking of supply apparatus 

25.       roles and responsibilities of the various organisations involved in the work and how to liaise with them effectively

26.       the key physical properties of the supply pipeline or component, size (diameter), colour, material and its resistance to impact from excavation activities,

27.       the methods used to identify utilities and other agencies' supply apparatus

28.       the physical properties of the contents of the medium being carried by the supply apparatus, ignition characteristics, density relative to air, electrocution, water damage.

29.       the risks associated with not maintaining the safety and integrity of supply apparatus

30.       the possible effects of damage to the supply apparatus

31.       implications of damage to the supply apparatus that could include personal danger to the health or life of the operatives, or to others on site

32.       the implications of damage to the supply apparatus that could include damage to the environment or additional job costs in repair and delay to job progress

33.       the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act/ Order in NI Northern Ireland)

34.       the importance of providing adequate support and protection for supply apparatus

35.       the importance of referring problems outside the area of the job role responsibility to designated people

36.       the procedures for reporting and recording job progress, problems and deviations to work programmes


Scope/range

Supply apparatus - the supply apparatus for utilities and other agencies, above and below ground services, built structures, and the natural environment (e.g. foundations, tree roots, natural watercourses)

Approved procedures and practices – environmental, statutory regulatory, emergency, operational, health and safety, organisational and company procedures, and risk assessments


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

01 Dec 2021

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Energy & Utility Skills

Original URN

EUS GNC006

Relevant Occupations

Gas Team Leaders, Craftspersons and Technicians

SOC Code

5315

Keywords

gas, network, gas network, locate, avoid, locate and avoid