You will be assessed via your theory assessment, on the following criteria:

• Identify the hazards and risks associated with the working area and the proposed work
• Work in a way which maintains health and safety and is consistent with relevant legislation and industry good practice
• Use correct personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Undertake equipment and tool safety checks
• Carry out work to minimise environmental damage
• Carry out a site-specific risk assessment
• Use safe method adopted by industry for testing gas in chambers and operational buildings
• Use testing tools and equipment in accordance with work instructions
• Check condition of gas testing tools and equipment
• Perform gas and water test safely
• Use correct manual handling methods
• Use tools and equipment used in the industry for lifting covers from joint boxes and manholes safely
• Remove and replace joint box and carriageway covers safely
• Use utility prints to aid in the location of chambers
• Outline the key health and safety legislation and industry good practice
• Outline the key health and safety regulations that need to be observed when working underground
• Describe how to use and maintain tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment
• Outline the emergency planning procedures relevant to the work area
• State the dangers when entering underground chambers or structures
• Outline the equipment used by industry for detecting gas
• Describe what needs to be done if gas is found
• State the types of gases
• State safe working in locations which, potentially, have hazardous gas
• Outline the reporting requirements where gas has been found
• Outline the requirements for water testing
• Describe how to keep own safety and safety of others
• State how to manage the risks associated with cover lifting
• State how to avoid injury to operatives and the public
• Outline the different covers used
• Describe how to identify polluted water in underground structures in line with environmental requirements
• State how to avoid damage to underground apparatus

Assessment

The course includes both a practical and a theory assessment.

• Practical Assessment – where you will demonstrate your knowledge of practical tasks
• Theory test which is composed of multiple-choice questions

Certification

This Smart Awards certificate is valid for 3 years, you will then need to complete the course again or attend a refresher course if available, to renew your qualification.

NOPS Card

Smart Awards also offers its Network Operative Passport Scheme.

Managed and administered by Smart Awards, the card you receive has a unique QR code When the card is scanned by employers or site managers with granted access, they will be able to securely view all the information about your Awards qualifications, including when the course was taken and what the expiry dates are.

No longer do you need to hold several different cards for each of your qualifications – hold them all on one system which is updated within a couple of weeks of achieving your qualification.

Find out more information about the NOPS card here.

There are no formal entry requirements and Smart Awards will not restrict access on the grounds of prior academic attainment, age, employment, geographic location or any other grounds.
Smart Awards state that by having no prerequisites, there are no barriers that restrict access or progression, thereby promoting equality. It is expected however that learners will have a level of literacy adequate to cope with both the theory and practical assessments.