Signing, Lighting & Guarding Course – Operative (O1)1-Day Standalone Unit
- Signing, Lighting & Guarding operative qualification
- Required for setting up work zones on UK highways
- CABWI accredited – SWQR registered
- Completed in a single day
Next Available Dates
Upcoming scheduled sessions for this course
Need this course urgently or on a specific date? We can deliver flexible SLG operative training to suit your requirements. Contact us to arrange.
What is the NRSWA Operative SLG Unit?
Signing, Lighting and Guarding (SLG) is the physical process of protecting a streetworks site — placing the correct cones, barriers, signs and lighting so that the public, road users and the workforce can move safely around the excavation area. As an operative, you are responsible for making this happen on the ground.
Under the New Roads and Street Works Act, every works site on the public highway must be properly signed, lit and guarded for the entire duration of the works. Incorrectly set-up sites create real danger — putting pedestrians at risk, causing confusion for drivers and exposing you and your employer to enforcement action.
This unit — Operative Unit O1 (Unit 2) — covers the knowledge and practical skills you need to set up, maintain and adjust site protection competently. It is delivered as a standalone 1-day course and is also included within the full 5-day NRSWA Operative course.
Already doing the 5-day course?
Unit 2 (O1) is automatically included in the full 5-day NRSWA Operative course. You only need to book this standalone 1-day course if you require the SLG unit separately — for example as a refresher.
Unit Reference
Operative Unit O1 — Unit 2: Signing, Lighting & Guarding. Contributes towards SWQR registration valid for five years.
What You Will Learn
This course focuses on the practical skills operatives need on site. You will leave with a clear understanding of how to deploy signing, lighting and guarding correctly — and the confidence to maintain it safely throughout the works.
Operative Unit O1
Unit 2 — Signing, Lighting & Guarding
This unit is included within the 5-day NRSWA Operative course and is also available as a standalone 1-day assessment for operatives who need it separately.
Course Delivery
This is a one-day instructor-led course delivered at our training centre in Ripley, Derbyshire. The day is structured around the practical demands of the operative role — combining essential theory with hands-on scenario work so you leave fully prepared for real sites.
The morning covers the legal framework and the principles behind effective work zone protection. The afternoon focuses on practical application — working through site scenarios, understanding sign types and placement rules, and practising the decisions you will make on the job every day. Assessment is completed on the same day.
Theory & Legal Framework
NRSWA requirements, codes of practice, sign types and their correct placement for different road and site configurations.
Hands-On Scenario Work
Working through practical site scenarios covering setup, maintenance and adjustments — focused on what operatives do on the ground.
Site Setup Examples
Real-world examples of correct and incorrect operative setups, with guidance on spotting hazards and making safe adjustments.
Same-Day Assessment
Knowledge checks and practical assessment are completed during the course — no separate exam day required.
Assessment & Certification
Assessment is carried out throughout the day by your instructor. It focuses on your practical understanding of site setup — covering the placement of signs and barriers, knowledge checks aligned to Unit 2 requirements, and confirmation of your competence in SLG deployment. There is no separate written examination.
On successful completion, Unit 2 (O1) is registered on your Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR) record. SWQR registration is valid for five years in line with the standard NRSWA cycle and is recognised by employers and highway authorities across the UK.
On Successful Completion
- Unit 2 (O1) registered on your SWQR record
- Contributes towards full NRSWA Operative qualification
- Recognised by employers and highway authorities across the UK
- Valid for five years in line with standard NRSWA requirements
This unit is automatically included when completing the full 5-day NRSWA Operative course. Operatives only need to book this standalone course if they require Unit 2 (O1) separately — for example as a refresher or to add the SLG competency to an existing SWQR record.
Why Train with Apollo Quality & Assessment?
We deliver NRSWA operative training from our centre in Ripley, Derbyshire, serving contractors across Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Sheffield and the wider Midlands. Our approach is hands-on and practical — focused on what operatives actually need to know and do on site.
Get in Touch
Not sure whether to book the standalone SLG operative unit or the full 5-day course? We are happy to help you work out the right option for your situation.
Send an EnquiryFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Under the New Roads and Street Works Act, any operative working on the public highway must be competent in setting up and maintaining signing, lighting and guarding. Unit 2 (O1) provides the formal competence required to meet that legal obligation.
No. Unit 2 (O1) — Signing, Lighting & Guarding — is already included within the 5-day NRSWA Operative course. You only need to book this standalone 1-day course if you require this unit separately, for example as a refresher or to add the SLG competency without completing the full qualification.
This course focuses on the operative role — physically setting up, maintaining and adjusting signing, lighting and guarding on site. The supervisor version (Unit 10 / S1) covers planning site layouts, monitoring compliance and overseeing the work of operatives. If you are responsible for hands-on SLG deployment, this is the correct course.
The standalone Signing, Lighting & Guarding Operative course is delivered in one day. It includes theory, practical discussion, realistic scenarios and assessment — all completed within the same session.
If you do not meet the required standard during assessment, your instructor will explain the areas that need improvement. You will have the opportunity to re-attend on a future date to complete the unit. We want every delegate to succeed and will support you through the process.
Yes. We can deliver SLG operative training for groups at our centre in Ripley or at your site. Group bookings are a practical option for organisations that need to train multiple operatives. Contact us to discuss dates, numbers and any on-site requirements.
You do not need to bring any specialist equipment. All training materials and resources are provided. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and bringing a form of photo ID for registration purposes.
On successful completion, Unit 2 (O1) is registered on your Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR) record. Your SWQR registration is typically valid for five years in line with the standard NRSWA cycle and is recognised by employers and highway authorities across the UK.
Relevant Guides
Helpful answers to common Streetworks and NRSWA questions.
What Is Signing, Lighting and Guarding (SLG)?
A clear guide to Signing, Lighting and Guarding (SLG) — what it covers, who needs it, and how it fits within the NRSWA s…
What Is NRSWA? | New Roads and Street Works Act Explained
A plain-English guide to NRSWA — the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Learn what it covers, who it applies to, and w…
NRSWA Operative vs Supervisor: What's the Difference?
Not sure whether you need the NRSWA Operative or Supervisor course? This guide explains the key differences between the…
Need help choosing the right Streetworks course?
Book Your SLG Operative Course
Get Unit 2 (O1) certified with our hands-on one-day operative SLG course. Delivered from our training centre in Ripley, Derbyshire — contact us for dates, pricing and availability.