Description
Trenching and Excavation Basics
Regulations: 29 CFR 1926.650, 1926.651, and 1926.652
Course Format: Self-Paced Video Instruction
Course Duration: 2 Hours
Trenching and excavation are among the most hazardous activities performed in the construction industry. Workers face significant risks from cave-ins, which continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities every year. Additional hazards may include falls, falling materials, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving heavy equipment.
OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth created by removing soil. A trench is a narrow excavation that is deeper than it is wide and measures no more than 15 feet across at the bottom. Protective systems are generally required for trenches that are 5 feet deep or deeper unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Trenches exceeding 20 feet in depth require a protective system designed by a registered professional engineer or one based on tabulated data prepared or approved by a registered professional engineer.
Who Should Take This Course
This course is intended for:
- Employers
- Supervisors
- Equipment operators
- Construction workers whose job duties involve trenching or excavation
- Anyone who works in or around trenches, excavations, holes, or other below-ground work areas
Course Topics
This training reviews OSHA construction requirements for trenching and excavation, including:
- Terms and definitions
- Engineering controls
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Soil terminology, classification, and testing
- Excavation support systems
- OSHA trenching and excavation requirements
- Safe trenching and excavation work practices
- Types of trench protection systems
- General trenching and excavation regulations
United Safety Solutions Course Covers
This course explains trenching and excavation requirements in a practical, easy-to-understand format. Participants will learn to:
- Identify and recognize common excavation hazards
- Evaluate situations where cave-ins may occur
- Recognize unsafe working conditions
- Help reduce workplace injuries
- Distinguish between excavations and trenches
- Understand general OSHA requirements and Competent Person responsibilities
- Understand soil testing methods
- Identify safe methods for entering and exiting excavations
- Recognize proper materials handling and the safe use of mechanized equipment
- Review applicable legislation
- Understand environmental protection and site assessment considerations
- Identify proper spoil pile placement
- Apply safe access and egress practices
- Locate helpful resources for additional trenching and excavation information
We recommend refresher training in Trenching and Excavation Safety at least every three years.
Certification
Participants must achieve a score of 80% or higher on all quizzes to successfully complete the course.
Upon successful completion, participants receive a wallet card and documentation that satisfies OSHA training record requirements.
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