National Highways Sector Scheme 18: Landscaping and the Environment (Including Ecology)

Dear Reader

It is important that you strive to ensure that your business, and everyone that works for you, is properly trained and registered with industry recognised national bodies.  NHSS 18 is the bespoke management and certification scheme for all landscaping and environmental contractors working on our highways network. 

In this issue of Growing Skills we will explain your obligations under this scheme and details of what you need to do to achieve certification.  We hope you find this month’s newsletter useful, if you know of anyone else that may benefit from receiving this information simply click on the button above to forward it to them.

Best wishes,

James

What is NHSS 18?

NHSS 18 has been developed by the National Highways Agency and other relevant industry bodies in order to drive up standards and provide an integrated management scheme for all contracting organisations providing landscape, environment and maintenance works on highways in the UK, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  It aims to provide an industry benchmark, basis for continuous improvement and ensure a trained and competent workforce.

The scheme covers works such as arboriculture, landscape construction, landscape maintenance, environment, pesticides and ecology.  It has been designed to allow organisations working on our road network to minimise their risks and risk to others, ensure a consistently high standard of workmanship and decrease the incidence of accidents whilst maintaining traffic flow.

Certification is mandatory for all organisations, and any subcontractors they may use, undertaking work on behalf of the National Highways Agency including verge trimming, hedge cutting and tree surgery.  It has also been extended to include Local Authorities, utility companies and developers. 

For more information about NHSS 18 and to register your business please click here. 

How to Gain Certification

Certification must be obtained through an approved body such as BALI, LANTRA Awards or City & Guilds NPTC.  To achieve certification your business will be audited to ensure you are operating in compliance with ISO 9001 and NHSS18.  One key element of this is the training and competency of your staff.

The Rural Skills Centre is a Lantra Awards registered training provider.  We can work with your organisation to guide you through the requirements and ensure your staff are working to the highest possible standards.  In addition, we run and organise assessments for City & Guilds NPTC qualifications such as chainsaw operation and pesticide application. 

For more information please contact us:

Tel: 01285 889873

Email: james.foster@rac.ac.uk