Safety, Health & Environment Awareness (SHEA)

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

The Utility SHEA (Water) scheme comprises of eight 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 water industry which cover working on the highways and sewerage network and process operations. 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.

Course Duration 1 Day

Water Hygiene

The National Water Hygiene scheme has been developed at the request of Water UK, the body representing the water supply companies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The blue National Water Hygiene card was introduced in January 2006 to replace all water company specific hygiene schemes and removes the need for workers to undergo separate testing, health screening and to carry several separate cards for each water authority.

Any person working on a restricted operations sites such as service reservoirs, pumping stations, treatment works, wells, spring and boreholes and working on the network of water mains and service pipes must be in possession of a National Water Hygiene card. The same training package is delivered to both direct employees of water companies, and all contractors that work on the restricted operations sites including self-lay organisations working on new developments.

Course Duration ½ Day

Safe Control of Mains Connections

The course is designed to inform all of the individuals involved in making mains connections of both their own roles and responsibilities, and those of others, when carrying out work.

It does not provide the skills required to carry out the connections and it would be expected that individuals involved would hold the necessary qualifications.

Note: This course has strict criteria for eligibility as all delegates must hold valid registrations for National Water Hygiene, Utility SHEA (Water) and Network Construction Operations (Water). A job role must be specified by an authorised signatory of the Water Company or Self Lay Organisation (SLO)

Course Duration ½ Day

Network Construction Operations Level 1 (NCO1)

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This qualification covers all aspects of the assistant's role in water 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 water distribution network, either directly with an asset owner or through an outsourced operations company

The qualification is achieved by on-site assessment and will include practical tasks and oral questioning.

Network Construction Operations Level 2 (NCO2)

This qualification covers all aspects of water 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 water distribution network, either directly with an asset owner or through an outsourced operations company

The qualifications are achieved by on-site assessment and will include practical tasks and oral questioning.

There are 2 qualifications;

Service Laying

Main Laying

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.

Network Construction Operations Level 3 (NCO3)

This qualification was designed, by industry, for persons who are currently employed in a supervisory role or those that are working towards one.

This qualification is for network operatives and engineers already employed on the water distribution network, either directly with an asset owner or through an outsourced operations company

Delegates are require to provide substantial evidence of their experience and competence in, amongst others, the following areas;

  • Control water network activities and contribute to controlling costs
  • Commission water networks
  • Carry out risk assessments
  • Record, store and analyse information
  • Advise and inform others and customers
  • Carry out operational planning
  • Decommissioning and abandonment of mains and services