NRSWA Operatives


The New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) 1991 is a UK legislation regulating the installation, maintenance, and repair of utilities running beneath public roads. It aims to minimize public disruption, ensure safety, protect the structural integrity of roads, and facilitate collaboration amongst utility companies and local authorities. A comprehensive NRSWA course from Wilbar Associates trains participants on the related laws, safety regulations, and codes of practice. This includes modules on specific procedures for monitoring and carrying out different types of street works, including signing, lighting, and guarding operations, excavation, and reinstatement of various materials.

The Operatives Course for NRSWA is a comprehensive training program that equips participants with the qualifications and skills necessary to perform street works in compliance with the legislation. The course covers signing, lighting, and guarding operations, excavation, and reinstatement of various materials. Successful completion of the course leads to the issuance of certificates of competence, enabling individuals to contribute to safe and efficient street works.

Course Information


  • Introduction

    Welcome to the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) Operatives Course! This 4-day training program is designed to provide you with a detailed understanding of the UK's NRSWA 1991 legislation and the importance of regulations in the role of a operator performing street works operations.

    Throughout this course, you will learn how to effectively prepare and implement various street works procedures, from signing, lighting, and guarding operations, to excavation and reinstatement of various materials. We will navigate through the relevant laws, safety regulations, and codes of practice, giving you the knowledge and confidence to ensure work is conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with the Act.

    The course goes beyond theoretical knowledge, empowering you with the practical skills necessary to tackle the role of a street works operative in real-world settings. By the end of the program, you'll be well-prepared to ensure safety and minimize disruption to the public, while maintaining the structural integrity of roads and gaining familiarity with the common tools and materials used within street works operations.

    With the NRSWA Operatives Course, you're not just pursuing a qualification - you're embarking on a journey to become a trusted worker in the critical field of street works operations. We look forward to guiding you through this comprehensive learning experience.

  • Course Features

    The NRSWA Operatives Course is meticulously crafted to provide you with an all-encompassing understanding of your role as an operative in the field of street works. Here are the key features that set our course apart:

    In-Depth Modules: Our course is divided into several units, each focusing on a specific aspect of street works operations. The units include LA & O1-O6 & O8, each offering detailed instructions on monitoring activities such as signing, lighting, and guarding operations, excavation in the highway, reinstatement and compaction of backfill materials, and more.

    Comprehensive Coverage: The course covers a wide array of topics ranging from understanding the regulations & safety code, to successfully carrying out excavation and repair on the roads, familiarising yourself with standard tools and materials used in street works operations.

    Practical Knowledge: Each module provides hands-on experience and practical insights on how to recognise road types, operate typical tools/machinery for street works, circumvent high-risk site issues and complete common street works to a high standard. This equips you with the real-world skills needed to excel as a street works operative.

    Assessment: The course employs multiple-choice test papers in exam conditions to evaluate your understanding and knowledge of the materials. This not only ensures you grasp the necessary information but also prepares you for the wider experience and potential issues faced as a street works operative. Theory knowledge is also put to the test in accompanying live practical tests, which allow you to demonstrate the information you have learned and skills developed under practical assessment conditions. 

    Accreditation Requirements: We will guide you through the NRSWA accreditation requirements to ensure you understand the necessary steps to become a qualified operative under the Act.

    Focus on Safety: A significant part of the course is dedicated to teaching you how to ensure the safety of your team and the public, as well as how to protect the structural integrity of roads and streets during works.

    This course will not only help you understand your role as an operator, but also empower you with the knowledge and skills required to ensure safety, competence, and quality in street works operations. By covering all these aspects in great detail, our NRSWA Operatives Course ensures you are fully prepared for the challenges and responsibilities of your role.

  • Who Should Attend

    The NRSWA Operatives Course has been structured to cater to a wide audience, so those from a range of professions who operate within the road can benefit from its encompassing teachings. If you are seeking a role in any of the below categories, this course is well-suited to broaden your understanding, or even launch your new career:

    Existing Operators: If you are already working as an operator in the field of street works, this course can enhance your knowledge, understanding, and application of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. The course will update you on any changes and developments in the field, ensuring you stay compliant with the current laws and regulations.

    Aspiring Operators: For those planning to take on an operator role in street works, this course provides an excellent foundation. The extensive coverage of each topic offers a deep understanding of the regulations, safety requirements, and duties of an operator, preparing you for your future role.

    Utility and Construction Professionals: If you are a professional involved in utilities, construction, or other related fields where street works are a regular occurrence, this course can be beneficial. It will give you insights into the process, safety measures, and regulations that govern street works, equipping you to handle such tasks more effectively and safely.

    Local Authority Personnel: For individuals working within local authorities who interact with street works operations, this course can provide a valuable understanding of the processes and regulations involved, enabling more effective communication and coordination with street works teams.

  • Course Outcomes

    In this comprehensive NRSWA Operatives course, you'll master the necessary skills, procedures, and legislation to effectively carry out street works operations in accordance with the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Below, you'll find a breakdown of the outcomes and competencies you can expect to achieve through each unit of the course:

    LA - Location and Avoidance: Acquire the knowledge and experience to successfully locate and avoid underground utilities and other highways services.

    O1 - Signing, Lighting and Guarding: Gain expertise in assessing work site conditions, managing pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety, and controlling portable traffic signals.

    O2 - Excavation in the Highway: Develop proficiency in performing excavation work according to codes of practice and specifications while avoiding damage to underground apparatus.

    O3 - Reinstatement and Compaction of Backfill Materials: Learn to carry out the selection and storage of backfill materials, carry out the construction of the backfill layer, and how to protect underground apparatus during backfilling operations.

    O4 - Reinstatement of Sub-Base and Base in Non-Bituminous Materials: Acquire skills in making the selection of non-bituminous materials, and the construction of the sub-base and base.

    O5 - Reinstatement in Cold-Lay Bituminous Materials: Understand how to select cold-lay bituminous materials and execute the construction of flexible base (roadbase) and surface layers.

    O6 - Reinstatement in Hot-Lay Bituminous Materials: Understand how to choose hot-lay bituminous materials and perform the construction of flexible base (roadbase) and surface layers.

    O7 - Reinstatement of Concrete Slabs: Understand how to prepare and perform the reinstatement of concrete slabs within the carriageway.

    O8 - Reinstatement of Modular Surfaces and Concrete Footways: Master the operation of reinstatement of concrete blocks in carriageways or footways, the reinstatement of paving slabs in footways and the reinstatement of concrete footways.

    By the end of this course, you'll be well-equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and qualifications to confidently carry out all aspects of street works operations under the NRSWA. You will be better prepared to ensure safety, minimise disruption, and conduct quality street works operations.

Course Units


This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to successfully locate and avoid underground utilities apparatus and highways services. The candidate will be able to interpret plans and confirm that they correspond with the work site. The candidate will be able to identify different underground utilities apparatus and highways services that are encountered during excavation and understand the hazards, risks and consequences of damaging them. The candidate must be able to select, prepare and use pipe and cable location equipment to identify and mark the location of underground utilities apparatus and highways services.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course of half a day

This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge
required to successfully select, install, maintain and remove signing, lighting and guarding on a work
site. The candidate will be able to survey the location and traffic conditions to ensure that suitable
provision is selected and installed for the work site requirements. The candidate must be able to
select, install and maintain the appropriate equipment, including portable traffic signals and stop/go
boards, to protect pedestrians, site personnel, vehicular traffic and those with special needs
including cyclists and horse riders.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course of one day

This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to carry out excavation in the highway. The candidate will be able to identify the characteristics of different types of footway and carriageway, including their construction layers. Candidates will be able to excavate safely, in line with the relevant specifications and codes of practice and will demonstrate the approved methods to safely support underground apparatus that is exposed during excavation. The candidate will also be able to identify, select and store excavated material that can be re-used as backfill.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course of half a day

This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge
required to backfill an excavation. The candidate will be able to identify recognised footway and
carriageway designs and their different construction layers in order to select the appropriate backfill
materials to reinstate excavations safely to the correct level. The candidate will also be able to
correctly identify and safely dispose of surplus materials and materials that cannot be re-used.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course of half a day

This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge
required to reinstate sub-base and base in non-bituminous materials. The candidate will be able to
prepare the subgrade to receive subsequent layers. The candidate will be able to identify, select and
reinstate materials to be used for the sub-base or base correctly using the correct equipment. The
candidate will also be able to correctly identify and safely dispose of surplus materials and materials
that cannot be re-used.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course of half a day

This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge
required to carry out reinstatement using cold-lay bituminous surfacing material. The candidate will
be able to prepare the pavement layer to receive cold-lay surfacing materials. The candidate will be
able to identify and select materials to be used for the reinstatement and construction of the cold-
lay bituminous binder and surfacing layer using the correct equipment. The candidate will also be
able to correctly identify and safely dispose of surplus materials and materials that cannot be re-
used.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course of one day

This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge
required to carry out reinstatement using hot-lay bituminous surfacing material. The candidate will
be able to prepare the pavement layer to receive hot-lay surfacing materials. The candidate will be
able to identify and select materials to be used for the reinstatement and construction of the hot-lay
bituminous binder course and the asphalt surface course using the correct equipment. The
candidate will also be able to correctly identify and safely dispose of surplus materials and materials
that cannot be re-used.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course half a day

This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge
required to carry out the reinstatement of a concrete slab. The candidate will be able to prepare the
sub-base to receive the concrete slab. The candidate will be able to prepare the edges of the existing
slab for concrete reinstatement, lay mesh reinforcement and form the concrete slab using the
correct equipment and materials. The candidate will also be able to correctly identify and safely
dispose of surplus materials and materials that cannot be re-used.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course half a day

This certificate has been designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge
required to carry out the reinstatement of modular surfaces and concrete footways. The candidate
will be able to remove existing modular or concrete surfacing, prepare the sub-base, lay bedding
materials and modular or concrete surfacing using the correct equipment. The candidate will also be
able to correctly identify and safely dispose of surplus materials and materials that cannot be re-
used.

The unit teaching will typically take place over the course of half a day

Awarding Bodies


CABWI
SWQR
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