The highest priority for the gas distribution industry is safety. As such work on the gas network must only be carried out by competent persons who adhere to defined industry standards and requirements.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 places a legal obligation on employers to have safe systems of work with a legal obligation on employees to comply with such safe systems of work. The Gas Act 1995 requires gas transporters to have a Safety Case which must comply with the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations, which includes an obligation to ensure a safe flow of gas to maintain security of supply and have processes in place designed to protect the gas networks. The Safe Control of Operations (SCO) Process and Procedure provides for such a safe system of work on routine and non-routine operations on gas Networks and requires individuals to be registered under SCO.

The Safe Control of Operations (SCO) scheme covers all gas personnel involved in operational and/or minor works on the gas networks and certain types of meter installation. This includes, but is not limited to those who currently are, or will become, named Competent Persons or Authorising Engineers for both Permits to Work and Forms of Authority and, where appropriate, Routine and/or Non Routine Operations.

Training takes place in one of six categories, details of which can be found in the Course Content section. The categories are:

A Safe Control of Operations registration is valid for 5 years. Reassessment is then required in order to maintain specific knowledge in areas such as permits and update underpinning knowledge such as relevant policies and legislation.

A Safe Control of Operations registration does not confirm competence to carry out a task. It is designed to provide on-site evidence that an individual has attended the appropriate training course and demonstrated an appropriate level of knowledge and awareness.

Important Note:
Successful completion of any of the above SCO training courses does not infer competence sufficient to carry out any particular role.

The Employer's Responsible Engineers must ensure a person's role (e.g. Authorising Engineer) and work type (e.g. Network >2bar -7bar) is correctly identified and communicated to EU Skills for registration on the SCO database.

For example a person may have a role as an Authorising Engineer for PtW/FOA and ROs but limited to Competent person for NROs, in which case he/she would be expected to complete SCO 1 & 2 AEs and CPs plus SCO 4 & 5 AEs and CPs

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

Registration is based on successful completion of a training course run by an approved trainer and operated by a licensed centre. Once the necessary paperwork and payment have been received a "Trained under SCO" card will be issued within 28 days.

Once the SCO course has been completed a network controller is required to approve registration and issue endorsements, permits and restrictions. Given the complex nature of the SCO Scheme, the full range of information cannot be placed on the EUSR card although a reference to SCO will be added to the card. Where data have been received the full SCO registration may be found on the website; www.eusr.co.uk, For more information please consult the Network Controllers page.

A list of licensed training providers is available here.