Safety, Health & Environment Awareness (SHEA)

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The Gas SHEA course is designed for all persons involved in the operational activities of the gas industry who require access to sites, both permanent and temporary, including all levels of operatives, supervisors and management. A Utility SHEA (Gas) passport lasts for five years from the date of training.

The Utility SHEA (Gas) scheme comprises of nine modules. The six core modules are common to all utility industries and form the basis of health, safety and environmental law and practices. There are three modules that are specific to the gas industry which cover working on the network and above ground installations (AGI). All trainees will complete all modules. It is designed to provide on-site evidence that an individual has demonstrated an appropriate level of knowledge and awareness. It is a passport scheme and does not indicate any level of technical competence or skilled expertise.

The 9 modules that make up the course are;

  • Understanding our workplace responsibilities
  • Understanding the effects of our work on the working environment
  • Identifying and controlling risks
  • Common hazards in the workplace
  • Highway working and excavations
  • Pressure Regulating Installations
  • Safety in Premises
  • Occupational health hazards
  • Responding to emergencies

At the end of each module, trainees will take a multiple choice test

Course Duration 1 Day

Safe Control of Operations (SCO)

The Safe Control of Operations (SCO) scheme ensures that individuals working on the gas network are trained to do so safely by understanding gas network procedures and correct permitry. An individual may undertake as many of the modules as required for their specific job role.

SCO Initial training programme consists of the following modules:

Module 1: SCO Core

Module 2: Permit to Work (PtW)

Module 3: Non-Routine Operations (NRO)

Module 4: Routine Operations (RO)

Module 5: Form of Authority (FoA)

Course Durations 1 - 3 Days

Network Construction Operations Level 1 (NCO1)

This qualification covers all aspects of the assistant's role in gas network construction. It was designed by industry and cover areas such as excavating, electrofusion welding, butt fusion welding, operating tools and machinery and installation, while maintaining safety standards.

It is for network operatives already employed on the gas distribution network, either directly with an asset owner or through an outsourced operations company

Delegates are require to produce a portfolio of evidence that confirms their experience and competence to work within the gas distribution network.

Mandatory units
  • Assist in locating and avoiding supply apparatus and sub-structures
  • Working under supervision, excavate holes and trenches in ground and pavement structures
  • Assist in preparing for reinstatement of excavation and pavement surface
  • Working under supervision, contribute to an efficient and effective work environment in gas network construction
  • Working under supervision, contribute to health, safety and environment in the workplace during gas network construction
  • Working under supervision, operate powered tools and equipment for network construction operations
  • Working under supervision, join polyethylene pipe by electrofusion welding
  • Working under supervision, assemble components to meet specifications for gas network construction operations
  • Working under supervision, join polyethylene pipe by butt fusion welding
Optional Units - one unit to be taken from this group
  • Assist in preparing resources and signing, lighting and guarding the area for highway works
  • Assist in preparing resources and signing and guarding the area for site works

The qualification is achieved by practical assessment and oral questioning.

Course Duration 10 Days

Network Construction Operations Level 2 (NCO2)

This qualification covers all aspects of gas network construction. They were designed by industry and cover technical skills in areas such as excavating, electrofusion welding, operating tools and machinery and installation, while maintaining safety standards.

They are for network operatives and engineers already employed on the gas distribution network, either directly with an asset owner or through an outsourced operations company

Delegates are require to produce a portfolio of evidence that confirms their experience and competence to work within the gas distribution network, this is achieved by practical assessment and oral questioning

Mandatory units common to both the main & service laying qualifications
  • Create an efficient and effective environment in utilities network construction
  • Maintain a safe and secure working environment in water network construction
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships in utilities network construction
  • Install equipment for safe working on sites for utilities network construction
  • Locate and avoid supply apparatus for utilities network construction
  • Excavate and maintain holes and trenches for utilities network construction
  • Operate powered tools and equipment for routine and predictable requirements on utilities network construction
  • Join materials by electro fusion processes on Utilities Network Construction
  • Install equipment for safe working on the highway for utilities network construction (required for Distribution Pathway)
Mandatory units (Service laying)
Mandatory units (Main laying)
  • Conduct specified testing of Gas services
  • Install Gas services up to 63mm
  • Joint materials by butt fusion processes on Utilities Network Construction, up to 180mm diameter
  • Conduct specified testing of Gas network engineering products or assets - main
  • Install gas engineering products or assets up to 180mm

There are 3 pathways within each qualification;

  • Self Lay
  • Distribution
  • Repair and Maintenance

    • Candidates must complete the pathway which is appropriate to their job role.