Across the UK, more than four million excavations are carried out each year. A significant number proceed without a comprehensive survey of buried pipes and cables. Strikes on underground assets pose serious risks to life and can cause major financial loss and project disruption. Improving the consistency and reliability of utility surveys is crucial for improving safety and reducing cost and delay. TSA created PUMA to provide its members with a robust, independently assessed framework that raises standards across the industry.

By choosing a PUMA‑accredited company, clients gain assurance that survey work will be carried out accurately and to an agreed level of quality – helping avoid costly errors, unnecessary delays and potentially dangerous incidents.

Sam Roberts, Chair of the PUMA Governance Committee and TSA Council member, said:

“Before the introduction of PUMA, any organisation could state that they were working to the PAS128 specification, but there was no requirement to verify this. TSA’s accreditation scheme has changed that. When clients see that a survey company holds PUMA accreditation, they can be confident that the service and data quality will meet a recognised and independently assessed standard.”

Two stages to PUMA accreditation

PUMA is available to eligible members of The Survey Association. The scheme is delivered by LRQA, a global leader in assurance, certification and inspection. Accreditation involves two stages: a rigorous review of a company’s office processes and systems, followed by a detailed site assessment. Once accredited, companies enter a three‑year cycle of LRQA surveillance to ensure that the standards on which accreditation was awarded are consistently upheld.

Come and meet TSA’s team on Stand P128

Visitors to Utility Week Live 2026 are invited to meet TSA’ ‘s team on stand P128 to learn more about PUMA and how the scheme supports safer working, improved efficiency and significant cost savings across utility and construction projects.

Register for Utility Week Live 2026 here.

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Powers and utility surveys

Powers is a long-established geospatial survey firm in North West England, serving the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors for more than 50 years. The company delivers a full range of geospatial services, including:

• Measured building and topographical surveys
• 3D laser scanning, mobile mapping, 3D Revit modelling, UAV (drone) surveys
• Site‑engineering work like setting‑out, machine control, ground modelling, as‑built surveys, deformation monitoring
• Underground utility detection (PAS 128 compliant and PUMA accredited)

The Powers team brings deep expertise in hi‑tech, high‑precision surveying and works throughout the UK. Powers holds ISO accreditations for Quality (ISO 9001), Health & Safety (ISO 45001), and Environmental Management (ISO 14001), enabling the company to work in the aerospace, defence, and aviation sectors. Powers’ approach is hands‑on, emphasising building relationships with clients to better understand their needs, delivering value within budget and time constraints and supporting decision‑making from early stages in projects.

Why do you think PUMA is important?

In the UK, there’s no mandatory rule governing how underground utility surveys are carried out. Quality varies widely. Being PUMA-accredited tells clients that your surveys truly follow PAS 128 and that your processes are independently audited. That builds trust swiftly, cuts ambiguity in bids, and reduces risk on site. Clients choosing a PUMA‑accredited firm know what they’re getting: independent verification that the surveys meet PAS 128:2022 standards. That spares them from time-consuming due diligence and reduces the chance of buried‑utility surprises, costly delays, or even injuries on site.

PUMA isn’t just a badge. It creates a consistent, national standard for utility surveys by TSA (The Survey Association) and is managed by LRQA (a global leader in quality assurance). Every accredited company is audited against processes, staff competency, risk management, and transparency in results.

How did you find the process of applying for PUMA accreditation?

Earning PUMA isn’t a one‑and‑done. First comes an office systems audit; then on‑site validation of survey methods; then periodic surveillance during the three‑year accreditation period—so the standards are maintained.

As we are already ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified, the external PAS 128 audit was very similar to our external ISO Standard audits so we didn’t have to change much in order to get through it. All of our projects are subject to high quality standards, so it was a case of communicating this well to the auditor. Unlike our ISO auditors, the PUMA auditors understand the geospatial profession as they also audit NERS (National Electricity Registration Scheme), WIRS (Water Industry Registration Scheme) and GIRS (Gas Industry Registration Scheme) companies. LRQA’s PUMA auditors therefore understood the nuances of underground utility detection to a very deep level which means our clients can be assured we are rigorously checked to a high standard. We passed first time with flying colours and will continue to do this in the future.

What impact do you think being PUMA accredited has on your business?

Having PUMA accreditation helps us to communicate effectively and quickly with clients and establish a clear quality benchmark for our underground utility surveys. Our clients are clear about what they are getting and know that they can leave the technical detail to the experts when dealing with Powers. We believe that all utility surveyors should have a requirement to be PUMA PAS 128 accredited so that the quality of underground utility detection in the profession remains high and standardised.

What advice would you give anyone thinking about starting to apply for PUMA accreditation?

Go for it! The audit is a methodical process and if you’re doing everything correctly and you’ve been following the PAS 128 specification anyway, then you should sail through the audit. It really helps when explaining what we do to potential clients who come from a variety of backgrounds and who may or may not understand utility detection.

To find out more about PUMA, please go to https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/puma/.

The post Gaining PUMA accreditation appeared first on The Survey Association.

What is your involvement with utility surveys?

We offer full service PAS 128 underground utility mapping to clients across the UK and Ireland, working on complex infrastructure projects, large-scale developments, and urban regeneration schemes. Our teams use cutting-edge technology to locate and map underground assets accurately, ensuring safe, efficient and informed decision-making for all our clients.

Why do you think PUMA is important?

PUMA sets a national quality benchmark that brings clarity and consistency to PAS 128 surveys. It allows clients to distinguish between providers who meet rigorous standards and those who do not. For the industry as a whole, it raises the bar in safety, accountability and professionalism. For us as a team, being PUMA accredited demonstrates sustainability of quality, not just as a one-time audit.

How did you find the process of applying for accreditation?

The process was thorough but very manageable. We were already working to high standards, so much of the work was about formalising and evidencing our systems. The Survey Association and LRQA were both clear and supportive throughout, and the live assessment was a positive opportunity to showcase our teams’ capability. Malcolm Hughes was one of the earlier companies to  achieve PUMA accreditation and we hope to lead the way.

What impact do you think being PUMA accredited has had/ will have on your business?

Being PUMA accredited gives clients immediate confidence in the quality and reliability of our work. Internally, it has helped us review and strengthen our documentation and reinforce good practice. Strategically, it sets us apart in bids and tenders and aligns with our position as a trusted, progressive industry leader.

At Malcolm Hughes we aim not just to participate but to set the example and be a voice for industry-wide improvement. PUMA supports a culture of accountability, attention to detail, and pride in workmanship, qualities we’ve always valued. Accreditation is not a ‘one and done’ achievement. It’s a living system that motivates our teams to stay sharp, invest in learning, and continue to innovate within a solid, transparent quality framework.

What advice would you give anyone thinking about starting applying for PUMA accreditation?

Start by reviewing what you already have in place, you might be closer than you think. View it not as a compliance hurdle but as an opportunity to stand out and future-proof your utility offering. Be transparent in your approach and use the process to bring your team into the conversation.

To find out more about PUMA, please go to https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/puma/.

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This now includes Appendix 2, which is a flow chart with advice to clients for specifying a utility survey.

This document has now been downloaded over 1,700 times by people all over the world.

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