Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water)

What is the Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water) scheme?

The Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water) scheme is relevant for employees of Self-Lay Organisations (SLOs), also known as Self-Lay Providers (SLPs) and Water Companies and/or New Appointments and Variations, known as NAVS, involved in making the final mains connection from new development sites to the existing water network.

(NAVs) are limited companies which provide a water and/or sewerage service to customers in an area which was previously provided by the incumbent monopoly provider.

Self-Lay Organisations lay mains for new services on new development sites – ‘contestable’ works – and this scheme provides all the individuals involved in making the final mains connections to the existing water network with the knowledge and understanding of both their own roles and responsibilities, and those of others, when carrying out work.

The standard for this scheme was developed in collaboration with Water Companies, Self-Lay Organisations and LRQA. The scheme is delivered and assessed by EUSR Approved Providers through their approved Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water) training programme. Successful training and assessment against the standard leads to a registration on EUSR for the scheme and, where appropriately authorised, a specified job role such as Competent Person, Senior Competent Person, or Water Company Controller.

The scheme falls under the scope of the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) – operated by LRQA.

Please note: The Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water) scheme does not provide the skills required to carry out the connection itself.

Content

Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water) scheme includes the following content:

• The scope of work that SLPs can undertake and the activities classed as contestable and non-contestable work
• The various roles that are involved in the process; their responsibilities and the accreditations needed for the various roles
• The regulators and their role in the process and the applicable Legislation and Codes of Practice
• The types of connections and when these are applied
• The applications required to plan the work and the contents of the work instruction pack
• The considerations needed when carrying out the roles and what to do if something goes wrong
• What information is provided to the Water Company/NAV once the connection has been made

Delivery Model

This scheme is delivered through our Approved Providers either face to face or remote.

Assessment

Assessment is via a multiple-choice question test, set by EUSR and marked by the trainer.

Pre-requisites

All Individuals undertaking the scheme are required to hold valid EUSR registrations for both National Water Hygiene and SHEA (Water).

Individuals being registered for the role of Competent Person will hold EUSR registrations for National Water Hygiene, SHEA (Water), and Level 2 Network Construction Operations (Water) Main Layer.

Registration

There are two registration categories available for Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water) – Scheme registration only or Scheme registration and a Specified Job role registration. Please note that EUSR registration will be charged for separately except when registration for both categories is claimed at the same time.

Scheme Registration – based on the successful completion of an EUSR approved SCMC (Water) training and assessment programme.

Specified Job Role Registration – to obtain the following job role specific EUSR registrations, an LRQA Authorised Signatory must confirm that the individual can be registered for this category. The Authorised Signatory is designated by the company involved in the work, the Water Company for the role of Water Company Controller and the Self-Lay Organisation for the roles of Competent Person and Senior Competent Person, and these are verified by LRQA:

• Competent Person (CP)
• Senior Competent Person (SCP)
• Water Company Controller (WCC)

The EUSR registration and EUSR card will reflect the appropriate job role(s).

Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water) Scheme registration is valid for 5 years.

Registration for Competent Person, Senior Competent Person or Water Company Controller runs concurrently with the scheme registration and they will both expire on the same date.

Renewal

Once an EUSR registration has expired, individuals must repeat the training programme and assessment as outlined above. There is no separate renewal registration process.

LRQA Authorised Signatory

An Authorised Signatory will also hold an EUSR registration which is valid for 5 years. This registration is approved by LRQA and confirms the organisation(s) and specified job role(s) they are permitted to approve for each organisation under the scheme.

Renewal is required after 5 years by completing the Authorised Signatory Registration Renewal form and sending this to LRQA: [email protected].

Resources

Forms:

• SCMC (Water) Specified Job Role Registration form
• LRQA Authorised Signatory Approval form
• LRQA Authorised Signatory Registration Renewal form

Processes:

• Specified Job Role Authorisation process
• LRQA Authorised Signatory approval process
• LRQA Authorised Signatory Registration Renewal process
• Approved Provider Registration Process for Specific Job Role(s)

Other:

• Scheme Guidance for Employers