Course(s)
The Echo3 Cat and Genny Training Course Online explains how a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and Signal Generator (Genny) work and how to use them safely during excavation and groundworks. It is essential training for anyone involved in digging, utilities detection, or underground service location.
This online CAT and Genny training course takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. On successful completion, learners receive a CPD-accredited certificate sent by email for compliance and training records.
By the end of the course, learners will be able to safely operate CAT and Genny equipment, interpret signals correctly, and understand the limitations of detection tools. The training also explains how correct use helps prevent underground service strikes, utility damage, and serious site injuries.
The course aligns with key industry guidance and supports wider excavation safety and safe digging practices.
Although scanning, tracing, and marking principles are consistent across most equipment, settings and controls may vary between manufacturers. Learners should always follow manufacturer instructions and site-specific procedures.
Underground service strikes are one of the most serious and costly risks in UK excavation work.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), striking underground electricity cables can result in fatal or severe injury, including burns from electrical arcing and explosions. HSE also reports that many excavation incidents are caused by poor planning, inadequate service detection, and unsafe digging practices.
Buried utilities are frequently damaged during groundworks, leading to serious injury, service disruption, environmental damage, and potential prosecution under UK health and safety law.
Industry data shows that underground utility strikes cost the UK economy billions of pounds each year, largely due to project delays, repair costs, and infrastructure disruption.
Cat and Genny training reduces these risks by teaching workers how to correctly locate and trace underground services before digging begins. It improves hazard awareness, reduces strike risk, and supports compliance with HSE guidance and excavation safety requirements.
For employers, effective training reduces downtime, prevents costly damage to utilities, and demonstrates compliance with UK health and safety duties, including safe systems of work.
This course is suitable for anyone working in environments where underground services may be present, including:
It is suitable for both new workers and experienced staff who require refresher training in CAT and Genny safe use and underground service detection.
On completion, learners receive a Cat and Genny certificate as proof of training. This can be used for site compliance, contractor requirements, and health and safety documentation.
Echo3 delivers fully online Cat and Genny training designed for modern construction and utilities environments. Employers can enrol staff, track progress, and manage compliance from one platform.
Investing in CAT and Genny awareness training helps reduce excavation risks, prevent utility strikes, and ensure compliance with UK health and safety legislation.
This course can also be combined with Safe Excavation, PPE Awareness, and Electrical Safety training to create a complete site safety programme.
All Echo3 courses can be accessed using Echo3 Credit, making training simple, scalable, and cost-effective.
The introduction section of the Echo3 Cat and Genny course explains what a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and a Signal Generator (Genny) are, and how they work together to detect underground services safely. The training is delivered through clear, easy-to-follow video content with full subtitles to support all learners.
Cat and Genny training teaches learners how to safely use a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and Signal Generator (Genny) to detect underground services before excavation work begins. It helps reduce the risk of striking buried utilities such as cables, gas pipes, and water mains.
Cat and Genny training is essential because underground service strikes are one of the most dangerous and costly risks in excavation work. Striking buried utilities can cause serious injury, service disruption, and legal consequences. Training helps prevent these incidents by improving detection and safe digging practices.
This course is suitable for anyone involved in excavation or groundworks, including:
The Echo3 online Cat and Genny course takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. It is self-paced and can be accessed online at any time.
While the law does not specifically mandate Cat and Genny training, UK health and safety regulations require employers to ensure workers are properly trained and competent when carrying out excavation work.
This includes identifying and avoiding underground services.
The course covers how to:
Yes. On successful completion, learners receive a CPD-accredited Cat and Genny certificate emailed directly. This can be used as proof of training for compliance, audits, and site records.
Yes. Proper training significantly reduces the risk of striking underground services by improving detection accuracy, hazard awareness, and safe excavation practices.
Yes. It is often combined with Safe Excavation, PPE Awareness, Electrical Safety, and Working at Height training to create a complete site safety programme.
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