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SA006 – Safe Working in Civils

SA006 – Safe Working in Civils

Building strong foundations for safe, compliant, and efficient civils work.

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.

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 About

The course typically runs over 1.5–2 days, combining classroom learning with practical elements, depending on delivery format and group size.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

You are permitted to have 3 attempts,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.

Related Courses

SA002 Underground Safety

SA002 Underground Safety
Confined Spaces

Confined Spaces
NPORS

NPORS
NRSWA Supervisor Training Course

NRSWA Supervisor Training Course
NRSWA Operative Training Course

NRSWA Operative Training Course

Approved & Accredited Training Provider

Utilities Training Limited (www.utilities.training) is a leading UK vocational training provider based in the North West, delivering high-quality, industry-recognised courses across a wide range of sectors. Specialising in street works, confined spaces, IPAF, NPORS, EUSR, and Smart Awards, the company is committed to equipping individuals and businesses with the skills needed to work safely and compliantly. With experienced instructors, modern facilities, and a strong focus on practical, hands-on learning, Utilities Training Limited has built a reputation for excellence, reliability, and supporting workforce development across the utilities and construction industries.

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