Water Hazards: specialised training for work with Water Utilities

For many of us, no two days are the same in the electrotechnical sector. This means that operatives can occasionally face new, and sometimes hazardous, situations that call for specialised skills and training. This article focuses on a newly updated qualification from training specialist CompEx, designed for electrotechnical operatives working in hazardous areas in the Water Utilities sector.

To develop the qualification, named Ex09-Ex10, CompEx worked closely with experts from both the UK water industry and the electrotechnical industry, including ECA Member business JR Pridham Services.

Our updated Water Utilities qualification will be released later this year and it is tailored for electrical and instrumentation technicians working in hazardous areas in the water treatment and sewage sectors. 

Hand-in-hand with industry 

The review of this qualification benefited from a productive working group of representatives from leading water companies, contractors, and specialist training providers. This group advised on current best practice and relevant standards, to define the specific competencies for an Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) technician in the UK water industry.

With the support of the working group, we have developed and are now testing an online pre-learning programme

It was important to get industry input to the qualification because water treatment facilities can often contain potentially explosive atmospheres (sources include biogases, chemicals, decomposition, and leachate).  We also wanted to make sure that relevant standards, regulations, and guidance were reflected in the scope and learning outcomes. Again, industry expertise helped us identify the elements of WIMES (the Water Industry Mechanical & Electrical Specifications), which we combined with our knowledge of the ISO/IEC 60079 Standards series that underpin all our other qualifications. 

One of the most important parts of this review has been the opportunity to pilot the revised course and assessments with industry users. The pilot courses have included delegates from several key employer organisations, with both technicians and engineers providing invaluable feedback. 

Pre-learning programme

Throughout the working group review there was extensive discussion about giving learners additional resources to develop their underpinning knowledge ahead of the revised training course. Typically, candidates for a CompEx qualification will be an experienced Level 3 technician. Whilst the revised course is normally run over five days, which is suitable for experienced technicians, it can be a challenge for people new to Explosive Atmospheres. 

With the support of the working group, we have developed and are now testing an online pre-learning programme that learners are required to complete before attending the course. The pre-learning package contains state of the art e-learning, formative assessments, and other relevant content. 

At CompEx, we have been really pleased to have had such a positive response and support from industry. Fundamentally we all share the same aim: to enable a competent workforce to operate safely in the UK water treatment industry. 

A key part of our job now is making sure that there are sufficient training centres across the UK to offer the new qualification, and we are already in discussions to approve locations in South Wales, North East, South Coast and Scotland.

Case study: JR Pridham Services

Warwick Palmer, SHEQ Manager at JR Pridham Services, a member of the working group, said: “The industry working group was established by CompEx to help deliver an enhanced Ex9 & Ex10 CompEx course that’s more aligned to the Water Utilities working environment. It will enable both a practical and knowledge-based assessment. 

“An e-learning module was introduced to focus and assist the individual on elements which would be drawn on during the training course. CompEx themselves were very receptive to suggestions within the working group during the months leading up to the pilot Ex9 & Ex10 CompEx course, which was delivered by P&R Hurt in Yeovil in December 2022.

“The upgraded training techniques will ensure the skills and competency of technicians working in Explosive Atmospheres within the water industry. It has been a privilege to be part of the CompEx working group and to interact with the group who, between them, showed an impressive amount of knowledge in this area.”

For more information about the qualifications that CompEx offers, visit: www.compexcertification.com