New Road and Street Works (NRSWA) - Still not sure???!!! FAQ's may help...
New Road and Street Works Qualifications - If you are working or supervising works in the highway, you could be required to hold one or more of the Street Works qualifications, depending on your job role. . FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:-
Why do I need to do it?-
It is a legal obligation that under the act, at each site your company must provide a qualified supervisor holding the correct qualification and there is on-site at all times the site is “live” a minimum of one qualified operative holding the correct qualification.
What if I only work on the footway?
For the purpose of the act the highway is classed as boundary to boundary including all footways and grass verges and works in these areas are covered by the act.
What if I don’t do it?-
It is an offence under the act and your company will be liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 as defined by the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.
Am I an Operative or a Supervisor?
Generally if you physically complete the works you are an Operative, if you supervise teams, but don’t physically complete the works then you are a supervisor.
Can just take the Supervisor and do both roles?
No, the supervisor qualification does not succeed the responsibility of the operatives, you can however hold both qualifications but you cannot supervise yourself.
I don’t excavate so how does it apply to me?
If you only maintain or repair equipment, there are units for Signing, Lighting and Guarding only that would be required by works that effect motorists or pedestrians.
What do I need to do?
Select from the qualifications list the most appropriate and attend for formal training and assessment.
How long is the course?
It depends on the number of units you are taking but typically it will be 5 days, ask for further details.
What does the training include?
The 5 day options are designed for experience persons but training is provided on each unit, Operatives will be assessed physically completing assessments, Supervisors will complete reports, make observations and recommendations as part of their assessments.
Where are the courses held?
Manchester, Rotherham, Glasgow and Bedworth (new locations will be added shortly)
What qualifications and accreditations will I gain?
On successful completion, applications will be made to the awarding body for the appropriate certificate and application will be made to register you on the Street Works Qualification Register for your card detailing your qualifications.
How long do they last, do they expire?
Whilst certificates do not have an expiry date, cards are valid for a five year period when you will need to be reassessed.
Can I add units to my card?
Yes, however the new card issued will have the originally issued expiry date
My card has/is due to expire what do I do?
You can attend for reassessment no earlier than 6 months prior or no more 6 months after your expiry date to complete a written reassessment paper for each unit you need to reaccredit. If your card has expired by more than 6 months you will need to retake all the units as you did initially.
How long is the reassessment?
It is strongly recommended that prior to reassessment refresher training is undertaken which is typically ½ day for each unit you need to reaccredit. Without refreshers failure rates have been as high as 65%.
I only have an individual or small number of candidates what can you offer me?
The most cost effective option for you would be attendance on an open course, please ask KNW for dates.
Can any of these courses be held in-house?
With awarding body approval, yes they can however they are usually limited to Cable avoidance or Signing, Lighting and Guarding please ask for further details.
I only have a certificate for Signing, Lighting and Guarding what happens to me?
In April 2010 Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and Guarding and Unit 010 Monitoring of Signing, Lighting and Guarding became qualifications and holders of certificates had until the 6/4/2011 to apply for the card, failure to do so now makes this certificate void so it will need to be retaken.
Can I have a visit to discuss my requirements specifically?
Yes, please ask to speak to our sales staff at KNW Training and Technical Support Team.
