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New roads and streetworks have a significant impact on our everyday lives, shaping not only how we travel but also influencing the communities we live in. From improving accessibility to enhancing safety, these projects play a vital role in modern infrastructure development.
The New Road and Street Works Act (NRSWA) was enacted to ensure safety and minimise disruption during street works. Moreover, road maintenance and construction are an essential part of keeping our communities safe and connected. However, it can often be a source of frustration for both drivers and local businesses.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of NRSWA training, designed for professionals involved in the planning, execution, and supervision of road and street works.
Street works generally refers to any work conducted on or around public roads and pavements, including tasks such as laying, repairing, or maintaining utilities (like gas, electricity, water, telecommunications) and other essential infrastructure. Additionally, street works also cover activities like road resurfacing, pothole repair, installing traffic signals, and making changes to street layouts.
NRSWA is an acronym for the New Roads and Street Works Act. The New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) is a UK legislation that was established in 1991. It sets out a framework for street works and establishes the responsibilities of utility companies and local authorities when carrying out work on public roads and highways.
The NRSWA Red Book, officially titled, Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice, serves as a reference guide outlining best practices for the signing, lighting, and guarding of highways. It is an essential resource for utility companies, local authorities, and street work contractors.
The Red Book addresses key areas, such as:
Compliance with the Red Book is mandatory for highway and road authorities in England.
Upon completing the course, you will receive an NRSWA card. This card serves as proof of your course completion and readiness to perform street work. The NRSWA card is also commonly referred to as a ‘Streetworks ticket’ or pass.
This Card is important to show that the cardholder has the ability to carry out street works legally, safely, and professionally. The back of the card will display the completed NRSWA units.
The colour of the Street works card reflects the holder’s expertise. For example, take a look at what the card colours indicate:
Yellow card – NRSWA Operative
Blue card – NRSWA Supervisor
White card – Combined card (Supervisor and Operative)
To gain an NRSWA card or ticket you must successfully complete a NRSWA course that covers the necessary skills for safe and compliant street works.
FIND OUT MORE
You can check the validity of your NRSWA card online. The Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR) maintains an online database where you can verify the status of your NRSWA card.
You can typically access this database through the SWQR website or through the website of the certification provider who issued your card. By entering the relevant details or card number, you can confirm the validity and expiry date of your NRSWA card.
This online verification system provides assurance to employers, clients, and regulatory authorities that individuals holding NRSWA cards are properly certified and compliant with industry standards. This helps prevent unqualified individuals from performing potentially hazardous tasks.
In the United Kingdom, it is a legal requirement for certain individuals involved in street works and works on public highways to have completed NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) training. Specifically, those who carry out or supervise street work activities must have the appropriate NRSWA training and certification to demonstrate their competence and compliance with the law.
This requirement is enforced to ensure the safety of workers and the public, as well as the proper maintenance of the road network. Failure to comply with NRSWA regulations can result in fines, penalties, and legal consequences. Therefore, obtaining NRSWA training and certification is essential for individuals working in relevant roles within the UK.
NRSWA training covers a series of courses aimed at ensuring that all personnel involved in road and street works are competent in their roles. The training is structured to cover different skill levels, from operatives to supervisors, ensuring adherence to safety standards and legal requirements.
The act covers various aspects of street works, including planning, coordination, execution, and reinstatement. It also establishes the requirements for training and certification of individuals involved in street works to ensure competency and compliance with the law.
NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) training is essential for a variety of professionals involved in street works and road construction. Those who typically need NRSWA training may fall into the following industries:
The NRSWA course is tailored to suit your specific role in the industry, including positions such as:
Each of these roles complements each other by covering specific responsibilities. This collaboration ensures the project’s success.
Along with these benefits specific to contractors we also have the benefits we mentioned for delegates such as complying with laws, safety and efficiency of workers.
In conclusion, there are a range of factors that benefit everyone when individuals are trained on the New Road and Street Works Act.
BOOK A NRSWA COURSE TODAY
3B Training offers a number of street works training courses for Operatives and Supervisors including reassessments, take a look at these here:
If you are looking to book a New Road and Street Works Act course for yourself or your team, you can place your booking or enquire online at 3btraining.com
NRSWA Training is split into various modules. Let’s discuss what is covered in each NRSWA course below:
This NRSWA course as stated in the title is for street works operatives. Take a look at what the course entails:
The NRSWA Supervisor course is for individuals who are supervisors but also individuals who are appointed as a supervisor. The course content includes:
If the delegate doesn’t require all of these modules they can select which is applicable to their role. The mandatory units delegates must take on the course are LA and O1 or S1.
No, you don’t need to be a supervisor to attend the NRSWA Supervisor Course. This course is designed for those who will be overseeing or managing street works, so it is beneficial for individuals in or aiming for supervisory roles but it is also suitable for individuals who are appointed to act as a supervisor observing operators.
These courses are not a progressive pathway which means you can just you can attend the Supervisor Course without first completing the Operative Course.
Each course is designed to stand alone, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your current role and responsibilities.
The duration of NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) training can vary depending on the specific course and the level of certification required.
The street works training course for both operators and supervisors is typically delivered over a five-day time frame depending on the units selected. If you plan to take an NRSWA Reassessment you can expect to complete this over two days.
The Signing, Lighting and Guarding course is delivered over one day, this time scale is the same for the Signing, Lighting and Guarding reassessment. If you are planning to combine units we will make you aware of the duration upon enquiry.
Overall, you can anticipate that the suite of NRSWA courses will be completed within a standard workweek timeframe.
We offer our NRSWA courses as a public classroom course at our purpose-built venue in Leigh. We also deliver this course as an in-house course for a large group of delegates also at our Leigh venue. Take a look at our excellent facilities in the tour video below.
To ensure you receive all relevant training during this course we do not offer this as an online course. This is because during the course you will be required to complete a practical section on excavating and reinstating.
So, although we try to offer courses online where possible, we feel that this wouldn’t be as beneficial for the individual attending the course.
Passing an NRSWA course doesn’t have to be challenging. By completing the course with a training provider that offers support and a dedication to learning, the chance of success increases.
Each of the NRSWA courses requires a practical section to demonstrate the safe use of equipment and correct techniques for street works. After the practical observation, you may be asked to complete an exam depending on which course you take.
To pass the NRSWA Operative Course, delegates are required to complete a multiple-choice examination, with a minimum of 80% mark to pass.
For the NRSWA Supervisor Course, the exam is an invigilated open book exam, this also requires an 80% pass mark.
In summary, by taking the time to prepare and study for the exam many delegates successfully pass the suit of NRSWA Courses. If delegates don’t pass the Operative course the first time they are allowed two resits.
Yes, NRSWA all of our NRSWA courses at 3B Training are accredited by CABWI. The suit of NRSWA Courses meets the standards set by the Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR).
Upon successful completion of an accredited NRSWA course, individuals receive certification and an NRSWA card to show their competence.
To renew your NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) card, follow these steps:
Check Expiry Date: Verify the expiration date on your current NRSWA card. It’s important to renew before it expires to avoid any lapses in certification.
Complete Refresher Training: Enroll in an NRSWA refresher training course. This course will update your knowledge and ensure you remain compliant with current regulations and best practices.
Choose an Accredited Training Provider: Ensure that the Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR) accredits the training provider you select.
Attend and Pass the Course: Complete the refresher course and pass any required assessments. The course typically covers key aspects of street works, safety procedures, and any updates to legislation.
Submit Renewal Application: After successfully completing the refresher training, your training provider will usually submit your renewal application to the SWQR on your behalf. Ensure all necessary documentation and fees are submitted.
Receive Your New Card: Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive your renewed NRSWA card, which will be valid for another five years.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your NRSWA certification remains up-to-date, allowing you to continue performing street works legally and safely.
BOOK A NRSWA REASSESSMENT
When selecting a training provider for NRSWA courses, it’s essential to consider several key factors to ensure you receive high-quality training. Here are the main criteria to evaluate:
Firstly, ensure the provider is accredited by recognised bodies, which guarantees that the training meets industry standards. You can verify the accreditation status of 3B Training by checking the ‘Centers’ section on CABWI’s official website.
Then, look for training providers with a proven track record in delivering NRSWA training. Check how long they have been offering courses and their reputation within the industry. Providers with experience are more likely to deliver relevant and effective training.
Make sure to read reviews and testimonials from previous delegates. This feedback can provide insights into the quality of the training and the effectiveness of the provider.
Ensure that the course leads to a certification, such as the NRSWA card. Verify how the training prepares you for assessments and compliance with legal requirements.
Consider the provider’s location and the quality of their training facilities. For street works, it is best to make sure that the venue has a practical training area.
Overall, street works training is essential for anyone involved in road and street works. It ensures safety, compliance, and efficiency in all operations. By choosing the right training provider and staying up-to-date with refresher courses, professionals can maintain high standards of work and contribute to safer, more efficient road and street works.
For more information or to book your NRSWA training, contact 3B Training today. Our experienced trainers and comprehensive courses will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to excel in your role
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