What does the law say?
The New Roads and Streetworks Act requires that anyone who executes works for, or on behalf of a utility company, is qualified for the activities being carried out. Any streetworks site must have at least one qualified operative on site at all times during works, and the site must have a qualified supervisor appointed to the site who can oversee the works. The supervisor need not be on site at all times, but must be able to adequately carry out the role. The supervisor qualification does not replace or over rule the operative qualification and one person cannot cover both roles at the same time.

How Does the Qualification work?
All the assessments should be carried out on a real site or on a realistic simulated site. There is some overlap between some units where candidates are to be assessed on several units, in particular units 003,004, 005 and 011,012,13. Where an assessment simulation is carried out, further evidence of competence must be obtained from a real site.

Candidates may be assessed on any individual units where not all units are required, i.e. People working for Traffic signals companies who provide a service to utility contractors would only need Unit 002 or 010 for Signing, Lighting and Guarding. Plant Protection Officers assisting contractors to locate services would only need units 001 and 002.

For a full list of units for both Supervisor and Operatives please click here, you will be directed to the Streetworks web site.

Your Identity Cards needs to be carried with you when on site and shown on demand by authorised persons. It must be renewed every 5 years.

Streetworks Qualifications Register

The initial registration of supervisor and operative qualifications with the National Streetworks Qualifications Register (maintained by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, SQA) is valid for 5 years from the date of entry onto the register. There is a general requirement that re-registration is carried out within 3 months of the expiry date shown on the current issued card. The expiry date may change when further qualifications are added or the card has been re-issued due to loss or damage. New cards will be credit card size and feature security markings to prevent fraud.

Please note holders of only Units 001 Location and Avoidance of Underground Services and 002 or 010 for Signing, Lighting and Guarding will not be able to apply for a streetworks ID card without additional units to make a full qualification.