1st October 2026
Working on the highway? Why signing, lighting and guarding training matters for roofing contractors
8th October 2026
Scaffolding on the footway, a cherry picker in the road or a skip outside the property; for many roofing jobs, the work starts on the public highway before anyone reaches the roof. Pragmatic Consulting explains what the law and local councils expect, and how NRSWA streetworks training helps keep your team, the public and your licence on the right side of the rules.
Most roofing contractors think of safety in terms of working at height: edge protection, harnesses, fragile surfaces. All of those matter. But on a typical domestic or commercial job, some of the highest-risk moments happen at ground level, where your site meets the street.
The moment a scaffold, hoist, mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) or skip goes on the footway or carriageway, your site becomes part of the public highway. Pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and people with pushchairs or wheelchairs have to get past it safely, day and night. That is where signing, lighting and guarding comes in.
What the rules say
Work on the highway in England, Wales and Scotland is expected to follow Safety at Street Works and Road Works – A Code of Practice, widely known as the Red Book. It sets out how to sign, light and guard a works area so it is safe for everyone using the road and footway.
The qualification that goes with it comes from the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA). Its signing, lighting and guarding units (O1 for operatives, S1 for supervisors) are the recognised standard for anyone setting out or monitoring temporary traffic management.
Crucially for roofers, many local highway authorities build these requirements into their scaffold, hoarding, skip and MEWP licences. Some go further. North Tyneside Council’s scaffold licence conditions, for example, require personnel to be trained and accredited in the NRSWA signing, lighting and guarding module, with at least one accredited supervisor in the company and at least one accredited operative on site whenever work is carried out.
Requirements vary from council to council, so always check the conditions on your licence. But if you regularly put scaffolding or access equipment on the highway, it is increasingly likely that someone in your team will need the qualification.
Why it matters beyond compliance
- Protecting the public. A poorly guarded scaffold or an unlit skip at night is a real hazard, especially for people with visual impairments or limited mobility.
- Protecting your licence. Breaching licence conditions can lead to enforcement, delays or the licence being withdrawn, which can stop a job.
- Protecting your reputation. Customers and neighbours notice a tidy, well-managed site. So do councils.
- Winning work. Main contractors and commercial clients increasingly ask for evidence of competence before you start on site.
Which course do you need?
| Course | Who it’s for | Duration | Price |
| NRSWA Signing, Lighting and Guarding (Operatives) – Unit O1 | Team members who set out and remove barriers, signs, cones and lamps | 1 day | £185 + VAT |
| NRSWA Signing, Lighting and Guarding (Supervisor) – Unit S1 | Supervisors and managers who check layouts are safe and compliant | 1 day | £185 + VAT |
| NRSWA Signing, Lighting and Guarding Reassessment | Existing card holders renewing O1 or S1 | Half day | £160 + VAT |
The operatives course includes hands-on practical training on a live road. Successful delegates receive a Street Works Qualification Register (SWQR) card, valid for five years.
If your work also involves digging in the highway, for example for drainage or downpipe connections, Pragmatic also offers the NRSWA Location and Avoidance of Underground Apparatus unit and the full operative and supervisor reassessment courses.
Book your training
Pragmatic Consulting’s NRSWA streetworks courses are now running at its Stoneleigh Park training centre in Warwickshire, which has free parking and is easy to reach from the M6, M1, M40 and M69. Courses are delivered by trainers with real-world site experience, with practical sessions that reflect the conditions your team works in.
View dates and book at pragmatic-consulting.co.uk/training-courses/streetworks-nrswa, or call the team on 01926 674340.
