EUSR SHEA Water

The EUSR SHEA Water course is aimed at Operatives, Supervisors and Managers involved in the Water industry that require access to operational sites. SHEA (Safety Health and Environmental Awareness) training in line with HSE guidelines.

Many water companies require that anyone who is involved in the operational activities of the water industry or who may require access to operational sites attend this course.

EUSR SHEA Water Course Overview

The Safety Health and Environment Awareness portfolio of schemes have been developed in conjunction with industry to provide a uniform approach to health, safety and environmental awareness training across the utilities sector, in line with Health and Safety Executive guidelines.

The water scheme is designed for all individuals involved in the operational activities of the water industry who require access to sites, both permanent and temporary, including all levels of operatives, supervisors and management. A SHEA Water card lasts for three years from the date of training.

SHEA Water comprises of eight modules. The six core modules are common to all utility industries and form the basis of health, safety and environmental law and practices. A further two modules provide the water industry specific content, all individuals will need to complete all eight modules to receive the SHEA Water registration. It is designed to provide evidence that an individual has demonstrated an appropriate level of knowledge and awareness. It is a passport scheme and does not indicate any level of technical competence or skilled expertise.

Course Aim

To provide delegates with knowledge and understanding of workplace procedures, hazards and process operations of working within the Water Industry.

Course Content

To provide delegates with knowledge and understanding of workplace procedures, hazards and process operations of working within the Water Industry.

The programme content and scheme specification have been developed through consultation with the water industry. Programme material is produced and managed by Energy & Utility Skills on the industry's behalf. The content is reviewed periodically and consists of six core modules and two specific to the water industry. All individuals will need to complete all eight modules to receive the SHEA Water registration:

Module 1

Understanding our workplace responsibilities

This module aims to familiarise individuals with the underpinning legal frameworks, definitions and their application in the workplace setting, including the responsibilities for both the individual (as employee) and their employer.

Module 2

Understanding the effects of our work on the environment

This module aims to develop individuals' understanding of the key environmental considerations in the workplace, and their impact as employees, on the sustainability of their environment.

Module 3

Identifying and controlling risks

This module helps individuals to identify and control risks and hazards, and understand their role in preventing them through a range of positive and proactive health and safety behaviours.

Module 4

Common hazards in the workplace

This module develops the individual's ability to both identify a range of common physical hazards and minimise their impact in the workplace, in line with CSCS requirements.

Module 5

Sewerage network and process operations (Water specific module)

This module provides the individual with an understanding of the types of hazards associated with sewerage network and process operations environments.

Module 6

Highway working and excavations (Water specific module)

This module provides the individual with an understanding of the processes and procedures required to work in the highway; this includes both public and private environments and creating a safe working environment through safe systems of work. The individual will know what to do in the case of an emergency.

Module 7

Occupational health hazards

This module aims to explain the meaning of the term 'occupational health' and develop the individual's understanding of a range of occupational health hazards and their requirements. It helps individuals identify, mitigate for and minimise occupational health hazards in the workplace.

Module 8

Responding to emergencies

This module develops individuals' understanding of emergency response behaviours, the role of reporting, inspection and enforcement of health & safety in the workplace. It also develops an individual's understanding of the impact on employee and employer of both poor/improving health and safety in the workplace.

Important EUSR CSCS card change

The new EUSR CSCS Utilities Labourer card launched on 3rd August 2026.

From 1st October 2026, completing a SHEA course will no longer automatically provide an EUSR CSCS Green Labourer card. Anyone undertaking a utilities labouring role on a construction site will need:

• A valid, in-date EUSR SHEA registration; and
• An EUSR CSCS Green Utilities Labourer card, applied for separately through EUSR.

Existing EUSR Green Labourer cards will remain valid until their expiry date.

The Utilities Labourer card is only for people carrying out labouring duties. Skilled workers, trainees, supervisors and managers must apply for the appropriate EUSR CSCS card for their role.

Find out more and apply for the Utilities Labourer card.

Learner Numbers

In order to ensure the interaction between the learners and the tutor is spread evenly and effectively, and to ensure the courses are fully delivered in accordance with the Scheme rules, the maximum number of learners allowed on a course is twelve.