Underground utilities are an important part of the infrastructure delivering services across the country. These services are essential, and by burying them underground, service providers want to avoid service disruptions through vandalism, extreme weather, and other problems.

Burying the utility infrastructure is convenient and ensures the population receives these services without intermittent disruptions. However, a big problem arises when excavation works have to take place in areas where these buried services pass through.

Some of the problems arising when working around unmarked utility services include:

i. Personal injury: Workers without the prerequisite training can suffer physical injuries from buried electric power, gas or other utility service lines.

ii. Property damage: Untrained workers can cause a lot of damage to these buried utilities leading to business losses.

iii. Project disruptions: As a contractor, you might end up losing a lot of money through buried infrastructure damage. You have to cater for the repairs and notify relevant authorities in your area in case of such damages which affects the timeline of your project.

This is where CAT and Genny Training comes into play. This course is imperative for workers operating at excavation projects to detect buried services and avoid them. A CAT Course is not only suitable for the operators of CAT tools but the supervisors on site as well.

Training in using a cable avoidance tool (CAT) along with a signal generator (Genny) creates a safer working environment and can also improve career opportunities for the machine operators.

• How Cable Avoidance Tool (C.A.T) and Genny Work

Cable Avoidance Tool (C.A.T) is an essential part of any excavation project, and locates these services to ensure workers avoid them. The CAT can detect signals naturally radiating from metals below the service. Most contractors also use it alongside a signal generator (Genny) that applies a distinctive signal that the Cable Avoidance Tool can detect.

While these machines are necessary for every project, many operatives still don’t have the prerequisite skills to operate them. The CAT 4 training course entails using radiodetection or electromagnetic location equipment and is all about equipping operatives on the site with the necessary skills and confidence to operate these tools.

• The Benefits of the CAT Course

If you plan to work in construction site or already operate the Cable Avoidance Tool (C.A.T) and Genny, it is important to consider undertaking the ESUR CAT and Genny course. There are a plethora of benefits for going through the programme including:

1. Gaining the skills and confidence needed to operate the Cable Avoidance Tool (C.A.T) and Genny.

2. Identifying types and limitations of Cable Avoidance Tools and Signal Generators

3. Understanding health, safety and financial implications of buried services

4. Learning current legislation and best practice regarding detecting buried services

5. Understanding site plans and hazard avoidance

6. CITB and EUSR approved CAT &Genny / Cable Avoidance Training, certification and ID card valid for three years.

7. In-depth training on CAT and Genny operations. The course covers electromagnetic locators, theory and intensive hands-on training sessions.

8. Springboard for meeting HS2 Requirements

9. Data collection and analysis using CAT Manager Software

The CAT Course is an intense programme where operatives get a comprehensive overview of what they expect on site. The trainees get a feel of a real site and how to use service plans when starting work at a site. They will also get an introduction to the importance of buried utilities and the risks that arise in case of any damage.

By the end of the training, the trainees will have gained the confidence and skills to use the Cable Avoidance Tool (C.A.T) and Genny at any site to avoid physical damage to utility lines, costly repairs, and personal injury. By understanding electrical theory and Electromagnetic theory as used in these tools, trained workers will work more effectively thus enhancing safety on site and averting costly damage to buried utilities.