Course overview
The Smart Awards SA006 Safe Working in Civils course is designed for anyone working on the civils aspects of telecoms and utility network construction and maintenance – from ducting and chambers to excavations and reinstatement.
Delivered at our North West Training Centre in Accrington, Lancashire, this accredited qualification gives you the knowledge to recognise hazards, assess risks and work safely in a live utility construction environment. It supports compliance with health and safety legislation and industry best practice, and promotes a strong safety culture on site.
SA006 is a Level 2 Smart Awards qualification, approved by Ofqual (qualification no. 610/5024/6).
Who is the SA006 Safe Working in Civils course for?
This course is ideal for:
- Civils gangs working on telecoms fibre rollout and other utilities
- Operatives involved in excavation, duct laying, chamber builds, backfilling and reinstatement
- Supervisors and team leaders who need a solid understanding of civils site safety
- New starters entering the utilities / telecoms civils environment
- Existing workers needing formal Smart Awards accreditation or re-training
There are no formal prerequisites for SA006, though previous site experience is helpful.
Key facts
- Accreditation: Smart Awards SA006 – Safe Working in Civils
- Level: 2 (vocationally related qualification)
- Typical duration: 1.5–2 days (classroom and practical)
- Location: North West Training Centre,
Unit 2, Link Place, Link Lane, Accrington, Lancs, BB5 1AE - Awarding body: Smart Awards
- Certificate validity: typically 3 years (check your sector / employer requirements)
What you’ll learn
By the end of the course you will understand:
- Health & safety legislation
- Key UK health and safety law relevant to civils and utilities work
- Roles and responsibilities of employers, supervisors and operatives
- Risk assessment and safe systems of work
- Identifying hazards on civils sites
- Assessing and controlling risk
- Method statements, permits and toolbox talks
- Manual handling in civils
- Lifting, carrying and handling of tools, covers, materials and equipment
- Avoiding musculoskeletal injuries on site
- Underground services and excavation safety
- Locating and avoiding buried utilities
- Safe digging practices around live services
- Protecting apparatus and maintaining safe excavations
- Confined spaces and access chambers
- Hazards in chambers and ducts (atmosphere, water, access, entrapment)
- Gas testing, cover lifting and safe entry principles (overview)
- Working at height in civils environments
- Slips, trips, falls, edges and open excavations
- Safe use of access equipment and fall prevention measures
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Choosing and using the right PPE for civils works
- Limitations of PPE and maintenance responsibilities
- Communication and site discipline
- Effective communication between gangs, supervisors and third parties
- Reporting near misses, incidents and unsafe conditions
Assessment and certification
Learners are assessed through a combination of:
- Knowledge assessment (e.g. multiple-choice or written questions)
- Observation of practical activities where applicable
On successful completion, you will receive a Smart Awards SA006 Safe Working in Civils certificate. This is widely recognised across the telecoms and utilities sectors and is normally valid for three years, at which point refresher training or reassessment is recommended.
Note: If you are working on adopted carriageways or footways, you may also need an appropriate NRSWA (Street Works) card in line with the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.
Why choose Utilities Training – North West Training Centre?
- Specialists in utilities and construction training, including Smart Awards, NRSWA, EUSR and more
- Convenient Accrington location serving the North West & national clients
- Modern training centre with realistic civils and utilities training areas
- Experienced trainers and assessors with decades of industry experience in telecoms, utilities and construction
- Flexible options: open courses, private group bookings and, where suitable, blended learning
Typical course timetable (example)
Day 1
- Welcome, introductions and course outline
- Health & safety law and responsibilities
- Hazard identification and risk assessment
- Manual handling principles
- PPE selection and use
Day 2 (or half-day)
- Underground services and safe excavation practices
- Confined space and chamber safety (awareness)
- Working at height in civils environments
- Review, knowledge assessment and feedback
(The exact schedule may vary slightly depending on group needs.)
Frequently Asked Questions – SA006 Safe Working in Civils
1. How long does the SA006 course take?
The course typically runs over 1.5–2 days, combining classroom learning with practical elements, depending on delivery format and group size.
2. Where is the course delivered?
This course is delivered at our North West Training Centre, Unit 2 Link Place, Link Lane, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 1AE. On-site delivery at your own premises may also be available for group bookings – contact us to discuss options.
3. Do I need any previous qualifications to attend SA006?
No. There are no formal prerequisites for SA006. However, you should be working in – or about to work in – a civils or utilities environment so that the content is relevant to your role.
4. Is SA006 recognised by employers?
Yes. SA006 is a Smart Awards Level 2 qualification, approved by Ofqual and aligned with National Occupational Standards. It is widely recognised across telecoms and utilities civils contractors and clients.
5. How long is the qualification valid for?
The Smart Awards certificate is generally valid for 3 years, after which refresher training or reassessment is recommended to keep your knowledge up to date. Always check your employer’s or client’s specific requirements.
6. What do I need to bring?
We recommend you bring:
- Photo ID (e.g. driving licence)
- Your usual PPE – safety boots, hi-vis, hard hat, gloves and eye protection – for any practical activities
- A notepad and pen
If you don’t have PPE, please ask at the time of booking so we can advise what can be provided.
7. Will I need NRSWA (Street Works) as well as SA006?
If you’re working on adopted highways or footways, legislation requires at least one operative or supervisor on site to hold the appropriate NRSWA Street Works units/card. SA006 focuses on civils safety within utilities; your employer or client may require both SA006 and NRSWA for certain roles.
8. Is there a practical element?
Yes. In addition to theoretical learning and a knowledge test, there are practical elements where appropriate (for example, applying safe working practices or participating in risk assessment exercises).
9. What happens if I don’t pass first time?
If you do not achieve the required standard in any part of the assessment, our trainers will give feedback and discuss re-assessment options. Re-sit arrangements may involve additional training or assessment fees, depending on what is needed.
10. Can you deliver SA006 just for our company?
Yes. We can deliver closed / company-specific SA006 courses at our North West Training Centre or, where suitable, at your own site. This can be tailored around your work patterns and project requirements.
11. How much does the course cost?
Pricing can vary for open and private courses, but SA006 with Utilities Training is typically from around £225 + VAT per person for open courses at the North West Training Centre. Group and multi-course discounts may be available.
12. How do I book a place?
You can:
- View upcoming dates and book online via our Smart Awards course listings, or
- Contact our team on 01254 369 620 or info@utilities.training for booking, group rates or alternative dates.