Level 2 Diploma in Network Construction Operations (Gas) – Service Layer

• Ensure learners understand health and safety legislation and safe systems of work in utilities and streetworks environments
• Develop the ability to carry out risk assessments, apply correct PPE usage, and follow HSE-compliant manual handling practices
• Build competence in the location and avoidance of underground apparatus, including interpreting utility drawings and using CAT and Genny detection equipment
• Ensure learners can follow correct permit-to-dig procedures to prevent damage to existing services
• Develop practical skills in safe excavation, including trial holing, hand-digging near live apparatus, and mechanical excavation
• Build competence in laying pipework to the correct depth, alignment, and separation distances
• Ensure learners can carry out compliant backfilling and reinstatement in line with the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH)
• Develop understanding of mechanical, sheet piling, board and skeleton, and medium excavation support systems
• Ensure learners can assess changing site conditions and understand the importance of dewatering
• Build the practical skills needed to install, dismantle, and remove excavation support systems safely
• Develop working knowledge of signing, lighting, and guarding (SLG) requirements to protect the workforce and the public
• Reinforce correct plant and equipment operation, environmental responsibility, and accurate documentation and quality assurance
• Prepare learners for assessment against nationally recognised competency standards and registration on the EUSR skills register

• Health and safety legislation and safe systems of work
• Risk assessment, PPE, and manual handling
• The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA)
• Location and avoidance of underground apparatus
• Interpreting utility drawings and site plans
• Using CAT and Genny cable avoidance tools
• Permit-to-dig procedures
• Safe excavation methods: trial holing, hand-digging, and mechanical excavation
• Trench support techniques
• Laying pipework to the correct depth, alignment, and separation distances
• Backfilling and reinstatement in line with the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH)
• Assessing changing site conditions in excavations
• Dewatering principles and practice
• Mechanical support systems for excavations
• Sheet piling support systems for excavations
• Board and skeleton support systems for excavations
• Support systems for medium excavations
• Installing, dismantling, and removing excavation support systems
• Signing, lighting, and guarding (SLG) and traffic management
• Plant and equipment operation
• Environmental responsibility, including waste management and spill prevention
• Documentation and quality assurance
• Practical observation and written assessment preparation

This course is aimed at individuals working in, or entering, the utilities, streetworks, and highways construction sector who install underground service connections on gas networks or work in excavations. It suits roles such as main layers, construction workers, and cable layers. It is also suitable as refresher or continuing professional development (CPD) training for those already working in excavation support. Learners must be aged 18 or over to take the excavation support qualifications.

City & Guilds