Backfill and reinstate excavations, trenches and surfaces during utilities network construction operations

This Standard is about backfilling and reinstating excavations, trenches and surfaces during network construction operations. It could apply to network construction operations for a single utility or in a multi-utility environment.

It involves interpreting instructions, planning, organising and adopting safe working practices, using appropriate tools and equipment and reinstating excavations, trenches and the surfaces of highways. Highways includes pavements, verges, footpaths and road surfaces.

It includes using appropriate sub-grade, sub-base and road-base materials and selecting suitable surface materials including cold-lay bituminous and modular surfaces. This Standard is for anyone who backfills and reinstates excavations, trenches and surfaces during utilities network construction operations in a single or multi utility environment.

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1. confirm that the location of excavation, cavity and trenches is in accordance with instructions and work specifications
2. use appropriate records to determine potential deep excavations and trenches, confined spaces and hazardous materials
3. check any circumstances where information appears incorrect with designated people
4. carry out site specific risk assessments in accordance with company procedures
5. apply control measures identified in risk assessments
6. select, check condition of, use and store appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
7. confirm the surface for reinstatement is in accordance with statutory and regulatory codes of practice
8. use approved procedures and practices and statutory requirements to determine the requirement for excavation or trench support
9. protect supply apparatus and sub-structures in accordance with relevant codes of practice
10. confirm new and reusable materials for backfill, sub-base, road-base and highway surfaces are in appropriate condition and fit-for-purpose
11. select, check, use and maintain hand tools, powered tools and equipment suitable to the materials being used
12. follow organisational procedures at all times
13. maintain conditions and security of excavations and trenches in line with operational and regulatory requirements
14. lay and compact materials appropriate to the area and type of structure being reinstated
15. replace ironwork, kerbs and edge constraints in accordance with relevant codes of practice
16. store and dispose of waste and surplus materials in accordance with work instructions and statutory and regulatory codes of practice
17. check and confirm the quality and condition of finished reinstatement and the work site conforms to statutory and regulatory codes of practice
18. carry out all work to approved procedures and practices and in compliance with statutory and regulatory codes of practice
19. resolve problems that are within the responsibility of your job role
20. report any problems you cannot resolve to appropriate people
21. record and store required data and information in organisational information systems

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1. legislation, codes of practice, procedures, standards and the main responsibilities of the employer and employee in relation to health and safety, the environment, lone working, hazardous materials, excavations, tools and equipment, accidents, emergencies, roads and street works
2. how to carry out and review site specific risk assessments and apply control measures
3. the company structures, reporting lines, roles, responsibilities and levels of authority inside and outside the highway operations team including site management structures
4. the identification and application of safe procedures for handling hazardous and non-hazardous materials
5. the range, use and importance of personal protective equipment for the work activity and procedures for checking PPE is fit for purpose
6. safe procedures for handling reinstatement equipment
7. the sub-surface requirements for each type of surface including flexible, composite, rigid, modular, verge and ground
8. preparation procedures including edge trimming, surface formation, removal of loose debris, repair information
9. the types of materials and possible defects for backfill, sub-base, road base, and paved surface including cold-lay materials
10. the remedial actions to take when defects are encountered
11. how to protect the supply apparatus for utilities and other agencies, above and below ground services, built structures and the natural environment including foundations, tree roots, and natural watercourses
12. specifications for surface, sub-surface, and general reinstatement materials including fine fill materials, back-fill materials, granular sub-bases, cement bound excavated materials, road base materials, bituminous road base materials, surfacing materials, concrete footways, modular surfacing, cold lay compounds
13. methods of segregating the different materials including backfill, sub-base road-base, and highway surface
14. methods of checking the condition of material that is to be reused
15. methods of storing or protecting excavated and other materials to prevent deterioration
16. the types of hand and power tools, and motorised equipment, their uses and maintenance requirements including those used for compaction
17. the suitability of hand tools, powered tools and equipment to the materials being used
18. how to remove support safely whilst reinstating excavations and trenches
19. types of surface finishes including flexible, composite, rigid and modular, verge and natural ground and processes for reinstating them
20. the methods to be used for compacting reinstatement materials
21. problems that may be encountered including damage to supply apparatus and sub-structures, defects in excavations, required remedial work, spillage from fuel and lubricants, settlement, surface damage and how to deal with them
22. the importance of referring problems outside your area of responsibility and who to report them to
23. the procedures for reporting and recording job progress, problems and deviations to work programmes

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2

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2027

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Current

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Original

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Energy & Utility Skills

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MUNC08

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Water Network Construction, Gas Network Construction, Multi Utility Network Construction

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8159

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backfill, reinstate, excavation, utility, utilities, network, construction, operations, gas, LPG, hydrogen, water, multi-utility

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