The Basic Electrical Safety Competence (BESC) registration scheme is intended for all persons who work directly or indirectly on or near operational plant and equipment connected with electricity transmission and distribution. The scheme was originally known as "Resets" and was developed by a task force made up of the Electricity Association Management Co-ordinating Committee (Distribution and Transmission) with the assistance of the Electricity Company Training Managers and the Electrical Training Association.

BESC assessments are available in three areas of electrical transmission and distribution:

• Substations
• Overhead Lines
• Underground Cables

The scheme standards are at a basic level and deal with entering, moving around and exiting work areas. They do not cover skills required for carrying out work tasks. Where persons are required to enter more than one category of work area they should achieve all the relevant standards.

The BESC assessment does not include a training aspect. Persons undergoing assessment are expected to have received sufficient training from their company or training provider. Company specific induction training will also be required to acquaint persons with local requirements and work procedures.

How do I get an Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR) card?

Registration is based on successful completion of a workplace assessment. These assessments should take place in a normal workplace and should not cause any interference to normal work operations. The assessment can also be completed with unconnected equipment so long as the scenario mirrors that of an operational site. Upon successful completion the assessor will give the trainee a cover note and the trainee will be registered on the EUSR and a BESC card produced within 28 days

Assessment is delivered by qualified assessors through a series of training and assessment centres accredited by Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills). A list of accredited centres is available here.

Experienced Workers

Candidates who have achieved the following units within a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) are eligible for initial registration, however they must undergo re-assessment every three years as the nature of assessment for the purposes of BESC are different.

The relevant modules form part of the following NVQs:
Electricity System Technology Engineering Support (NVQ 2353-42; SVQ 2354-42)
Electricity System Technology Engineering (NVQ 2353-43; SVQ 2354-43)

The particular units within these awards are:
756 - Enter/exit and move around an overhead lines designated work area
757 - Enter/exit and move around a sub-station apparatus designated work area
756 - Enter/exit and move around an underground cable designated work area