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Street works UK material classification

Project Location:

Various

Client Name:

OCU in-house AI-powered protocol solutions

Project Description:

In response to the 2025 introduction of the Street Works UK Material Classification Protocol, OCU faced the challenge of rapidly embedding a new set of environmentally-critical workflows across its street works operations. The protocol required all excavations to undergo desk-based and on-site assessments, enforce waste segregation from the point of excavation, and link decisions to Street Manager permits for full traceability.


To meet these demands without compromising efficiency or safety, OCU developed a bespoke, AI-powered digital workflow in partnership with software provider Cogna. This end-to- end system automated the Desktop Risk Assessment (DRA), generated digital job packs, enabled on-site data capture through the OCU One platform, and ensured full compliance with the national protocol from day one. The solution was designed, built, and deployed in just weeks - demonstrating OCU’s commitment to innovation, compliance, and worker safety.

Key Stats:

  • Live from 1 October 2025

  • 100% of jobs processed via automated DRA

  • 83% planning time reduction in similar systems

  • Full audit trail via Street Manager permit ID

  • Integrated into OCU One for field data capture

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Duration

Challenge

  • New national protocol required mandatory risk assessments and waste classification for all street works jobs

  • Manual processes were time-consuming, complex, and unscalable

  • Failure to comply risked fines, enforcement or permit suspension

  • Need for seamless integration with the Street Manager platform and OCU’s existing digital systems

  • Short deadline before 1 October 2025 go-live, with thousands of jobs potentially impacted

  • Requirement for system capable of supporting real-time operations while improving safety and documentation

Solution

  • Partnered with Cogna to develop a custom AI-powered riskassessment and compliance system

  • Integrated directly with Street Manager to trigger Desktop Risk Assessments (DRA) on notice creation

  • AI-driven DRA used multiple data sources to identify location-specific hazards

  • Automatically generated job packs provided field crews with site-specific safety and waste handling guidance

  • Connected to OCU One platform enabling live on-site classification and spoil tracking via mobile app

  • All data linked to the Street Manager permit ID, ensuring full compliance and traceability

  • Agile development approach delivered full solution in weeks, ready for protocol go-live

Outcome

  • OCU became one of the first UK contractors with digital systems fully compliant with the new protocol from launch day

  • Hazards identified in advance, improving crew safety and environmental protection

  • Significant reduction in planning and administration time for operational teams

  • Enhanced real-time visibility for managers and clients via integrated dashboards

  • Boosted internal morale and cross-team collaboration, reinforcing OCU’s safety-first culture

  • Positioned OCU as a sector leader in digital innovation and compliance in street works delivery

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