OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training
- In accordance with Federal OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
- Learn on your own schedule, from any location, on any device
- Progress at your own pace with a mobile-friendly program
- Obtain your certificate immediately after finishing
- Audio playback for hands-free learning
- Choose SCORM-compliant, online streaming, virtual-led, or face-to-face learning options
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Bulk Buying
| Employee | Per Seat |
|---|---|
| 2-10 | $59.39 |
| 11-20 | $58.79 |
| 21-50 | $58.19 |
| 51-100 | $56.99 |
| 101-250 | $55.79 |
Course Facts
Training Duration
Learning Type
Course Access Validity
Device Support
Certificate Validity
Our OSHA Competent Person For Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course is designed for individuals seeking certification for trenching and excavation operations in compliance with OSHA regulations specified in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P.
While excavating and trenching have a number of important applications (such as in mining, environmental restoration, and exploration), their use in the construction industry is one of the most common. These operations are used in the construction industry for pipe laying, building foundations, utility work, and more.
Working in and around trenching and excavation operations is inherently dangerous. Hazards include cave-ins, exposure to falling loads, electrocutions, oxygen deficiency, falls, and hazardous atmospheres (among many others). As part of a safety and health program, the OSHA excavations and trenching regulations specified in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P require employers to implement specific practices that will help reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries and illnesses at trenching and excavation sites.
OSHA mandates the appointment of a Competent Person to supervise activities at excavation sites as a safety measure. The Competent Person assumes the responsibility of soil classification, inspection of protective systems, and ongoing monitoring for potential new or additional hazards at the site. These roles make the Competent Person a crucial player in workplace safety. If your job requires you to work in and around excavations and trenches as a part of your job duties, then it is important that you receive additional on-site training from your employer in addition to this OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course.
The core objective of the OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training is to provide a basic understanding of OSHA’s excavations regulations as specified in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P. This trenching and excavations operations course will also examine the concepts of OSHA’s unconfined compressive strength measurement, soil classification, protective systems, and safe work practices in an excavation zone.
Course Objectives
After completion of the OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course, the learner will be able to:
- Understand OSHA excavations and trenching regulations as defined in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P and the safe work practices and procedures specified by this standard;
- Explain what a competent person is responsible for in trenching and excavations operations;
- List site conditions that must be evaluated before excavation operations begin;
- Distinguish between type A, B, and C soil;
- Explain what OSHA’s unconfined compressive strength measurement determines;
- Differentiate between the two basic methods used for soil classification: visual testing and manual testing;
- Understand the dynamics involved in a cave-in; and
- Explain OSHA regulations related to protective systems in excavated areas and the exceptions to these regulations.
OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training Syllabus
The OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course consists of five lessons. Students are required to take each lesson in sequential order as listed below.
Introduction
Lesson 1: Introduction to Excavations
Lesson 1 of the OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course covers the following information:
- The definition of the terms excavation and trenching;
- Responsibilities of a Competent Person including soil classification, designing structural ramps, inspecting protective systems, monitoring water removal equipment, conducting site inspections, and more;
- How to access and egress from trenches or excavated sites;
- Types of site conditions to be examined before work begins such as overhead and underground utilities, emergency rescue equipment, stability of structures, and more; and
- The atmospheric testing procedures and ventilation required on a worksite.
Lesson 2: Soil Classification
Lesson 2 of the OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course covers the following information:
- The different types of soil (A, B, and C);
- Components of a visual test for soil classification;
- Three types of manual testing that can be done for classifying soil; and
- An explanation of OSHA’s unconfined compressive strength measurement.
Lesson 3: Protective Systems
Lesson 3 of the OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course covers the following information:
- OSHA regulations concerning protective systems;
- Discussion of the two general types of protective systems;
- The distinction between sloping and benching systems;
- The difference between shoring and shielding; and
- Options for shoring or shielding, including timber shoring, aluminum hydraulic shoring, trench boxes, or the use of a combination.
Lesson 4: Requirements for Protective Systems
Lesson 4 of the OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course covers the following information:
- Cave-ins, and how they typically occur;
- Factors to consider when designing protective systems, including when to hire a Registered Professional Engineer;
- OSHA requirements related to the installation and removal of protective systems; and
- Dewatering and water removal equipment.
Lesson 5: Safe Work Practices
Lesson 5 of the OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course covers the following information:
- Hazards associated with excavations and trenching operations, such as exposure to a hazardous atmosphere, exposure to falling loads, oxygen deficiency, and others;
- The importance of using proper protective systems and protective equipment on worksites;
- Safe work practices associated with excavations and trenching operations; and
- The conditions under which a Competent Person should inspect excavations and trenches.
Final Examination
Frequently Asked Questions
OSHA does not specify how often someone needs to attend the competent person for excavation, trenching, and shoring training. However, OSHA does indicate that in order to perform the duties of a Competent Person, an individual must be trained and knowledgeable in the subjects of Soils, Protective Systems, and the Requirements of the Excavation Standard. It is up to the employer to determine the employee's capabilities and to designate trained and knowledgeable persons.
We are ‘recommending’ that employees undergo refresher training once every three years as regulations are frequently updated, and in line with those changes our courses are also regularly updated. However, the final decision about the frequency of retraining rests with your employer.
- According to OSHA, a competent person is an individual, designated by the employer, who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to workers, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
- Under the Excavation standards, tasks performed by the competent person include:
- Classifying soil;
- Inspecting protective systems;
- Designing structural ramps;
- Monitoring water removal equipment; and
- Conducting site inspections.
- Employees who work in and around excavations and trenches as they must be aware of measures to protect themselves from cave-ins, falling loads, electrocutions, explosions, falls, and hazardous atmospheres.
- Personnel designated by their employers as a ‘Competent Person’ would benefit from the OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training to meet the requirements of local, state, and Federal U.S. laws.
- Individuals who wish to refresh their knowledge and understanding on excavation and trenching operations and the responsibilities of a competent person, may also enroll for this safety training course.
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Total price:
$146.92
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