Monitor safety for site staff, the public, plant and vehicles LEGACY

URN: EUSMUNC14L
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

Legacy

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