Monitor safety for site staff, the public, plant and vehicles
URN: EUSMUNC14
Business Sectors (Suites): Multi-Utility Network Construction Operations
Developed by: Energy & Utility Skills
Approved on:
01 Mar 2023
Overview
This Standard is about monitoring site safety for site staff, plant, site vehicles and members of the public– either as pedestrians or in vehicles. Sites could be on highways/roadways or development sites on private property. Network activity covers all related activity and could include mobile works.
This includes checking provision of signing, lighting and guarding developed from site surveys, monitoring site conditions, monitoring the positioning, installation and dismantling of signing, lighting and guarding equipment, making sure equipment is working and its positioning meets requirements and adjusting equipment to deal with prevailing traffic conditions.
This Standard is for anyone who monitors safety for site staff, the public, plant and vehicles for utility network operations.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. check that site surveys plan provision of footways, traffic lanes and safety zones in line with requirements of site location and organisational safe systems of work
2. check that planned and actual provision of footways, traffic lanes and safety zones minimise disruption, delay and inconvenience to all traffic and pedestrians
3. check that planned and actual provision for vehicles and plant provide coverage and safety for people and vehicles in line with legal requirements
4. make sure all operatives meet industry safety and technical competency requirements and follow safe working practices in accordance with current organisational procedures and practices
5. carry out on-site risk assessments to ensure that safe systems of working are in place in respect of signing, lighting and guarding and that provision is made to control any hazards identified
6. check that site conditions are monitored in accordance with organisational procedures and practices
7. make sure checks have been carried out into the availability of appropriate equipment, materials and products to meet the requirements of all users and the location
8. monitor the inspection of equipment, materials and products prior to use in accordance with organisational procedures and practices
9. ensure that the appropriate personal protective equipment is selected, checked for suitability and used by site staff in line with legal and organisational requirements
10. make sure equipment, materials and products are positioned and removed in the sequence specified in line with the requirements of site location
11. make sure the procedures and functioning of signals are inspected and tested at appropriate times
12. make sure signal controls are adjusted to support prevailing traffic conditions
13. identify problems with planned or actual provision and take appropriate remedial action in line with organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. safe systems of work requirements for surveying work sites
2. health, safety and environmental regulations and organisational procedures, practices and requirements for work site surveys and different site conditions including those relating to risk assessment
3. types of hazards and risks that may be encountered and how to deal with them
4. how to check that safe working practices are in operation including organisation or site inductions for operatives and visitors to site
5. health, safety and environmental protection equipment
6. safe ways of using the hazardous and non hazardous materials involved
7. organisation and client policies relating to approved equipment, materials and procedures
8. the contents of emergency, operational and contingency plans
9. issues to consider when positioning footways, traffic lanes and safety zones including:
- proximity to schools and hospitals
- users of the route
- weather conditions
- volume and speed of traffic and evidence of congestion
- lighting on highways/roadways
- highway/roadway situations (including lane widths, private access, bus stops, parking places, roundabouts, junctions, railway level crossings, tramways, cycle lanes)
- emergency service access
- on site risks
- other contractors and workers that may have conflicting operations
10. different requirements for working during the day and at night
11. the constituent elements and requirements for safety zones
12. the factors governing the provision of footways, traffic lanes and safety zones and the circumstances under which it is necessary to liaise with authorities and how to do so
13. how to minimise disruption to traffic and pedestrians
14. methods of making adequate safety provision for pedestrians, vehicles and plant within the confines of the working area including traffic management measures
15. requirements of those with special needs and how to provide for them
16. safe working practices for signing, lighting and guarding activities
17. the purpose of an on-site risk assessment
18. the appropriate safety and personal protective equipment to use during site operations, and how to make sure it is fit for purpose
19. the safety equipment to use to meet the requirements of all users and how to ensure it is fit for purpose
20. the specified sequence for the positioning, dismantling and removal of equipment
21. how to adjust signal controls
22. organisational procedures for inspecting and testing signals for correct operation
23. problems which occur with protecting people and vehicles, and the appropriate remedial action to take
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Links To Other NOS
External Links
Version Number
2
Indicative Review Date
01 Mar 2026
Validity
Current
Status
Original
Originating Organisation
Energy & Utility Skills
Original URN
EUSWNC4
Relevant Occupations
Water Network Construction, Gas Network Construction
SOC Code
8159
Keywords
Network, construction, operations, utility, utilities, gas, LPG, hydrogen, water, site conditions, risks, hazards, risk assessment, traffic, site, safety, staff, plant, vehicles, pedestrians, highways, roadways, mobile works, signing, lighting, guarding