[email protected] 01254 369 620
SA022 – Track and Locate Underground Services

SA022 – Track and Locate Underground Services

Avoiding Danger From Underground Services

Course Overview

The Smart Awards SA022 – Track and Locate Underground Services course at Utilities Training’s North West training centre in Accrington is designed to give operatives the knowledge and practical skills needed to plan, safely locate and avoid underground services before and during excavation work.

Whether you work in telecoms, utilities, civils, construction or groundworks, this qualification helps you reduce the risk of cable strikes, service damage, costly delays and serious injury.

This course follows the official Smart Awards SA022 specification and successful delegates receive a Smart Awards certificate valid for 3 years.

Who Is SA022 For?

This course is ideal for:

  • Telecoms and fibre installation engineers
  • Utilities operatives (gas, water, electric, broadband)
  • Civils and groundworks teams
  • Site supervisors and gang leaders
  • Anyone involved in planning or carrying out excavation or digging near buried services

You’ll benefit whether you’re new to service location or looking to refresh and formalise existing skills.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of the SA022 Track and Locate Underground Services course you should be able to:

  • Understand the types of underground services (electricity, gas, water, telecoms, drainage, etc.) and the hazards they present
  • Interpret utility drawings, plans and records to identify likely service routes
  • Plan works to minimise service strike risks, including safe systems of work and permits
  • Select and use location equipment correctly (e.g. CAT & Genny / cable avoidance tools)
  • Use different detection modes to locate:
    • Power cables
    • Signal-carrying cables
    • Metallic pipes and other services
  • Understand limitations of detection equipment and factors that can affect accuracy
  • Mark and communicate service locations on site clearly and consistently
  • Apply safe digging techniques around known and suspected services
  • Recognise when to stop work and seek further guidance

Frequently Asked Questions About

Formal qualifications aren’t usually mandatory, but you should have some experience of working on or around construction, civils or utilities sites. We recommend that delegates have a basic awareness of underground safety (for example, Smart Awards SA002 Underground Safety or equivalent experience) so you get the most from the day.

The SA022 Smart Awards certificate is valid for 3 years. After that, you’ll need to re-take the course or attend a suitable refresher to keep your accreditation current.

You’ll train with industry-standard cable avoidance tools (CAT) and signal generators (Genny) or equivalent locating equipment. Utilities Training provide all the specialist equipment you’ll need for the course; you just need to bring your PPE (see below).

The SA022 course at our North West training centre is a mix of classroom and hands-on practice:

Morning: theory, legal requirements, understanding services and equipment

Afternoon: practical locating exercises in a controlled training environment

The aim is that you leave feeling confident to apply what you’ve learned on site, not just pass a test.

You’ll complete:

A short knowledge assessment to check understanding of theory

A practical assessment where you demonstrate you can safely use the locating equipment and apply safe working practices

Both elements must be passed to gain the Smart Awards certificate, in line with the national SA022 standard.

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.

01254 369 620