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OSHA Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Safety Training
- In accordance with Federal OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
- Ideal training for workers involved in excavation and trenching operations at construction sites
- Available in:
English | 
Español - Learn on your own schedule, from any location, on any device
- Obtain your certificate immediately after finishing
- 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 |
| 251-500 | $55.19 |
| 501-1000 | $53.99 |
Course Facts
Training Duration
Learning Type
Course Access Validity
Device Support
Certificate Validity
OSHA Machine Guarding Safety Training Course Syllabus
The OSHA Excavation Trenching and Shoring Safety 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
- The definition of the terms excavation and trenching.
- 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.
- The atmospheric testing procedures and ventilation required on a worksite.
Lesson 2: Soil Classification
- 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.
- An explanation of OSHA’s unconfined compressive strength measurement.
Lesson 3: Protective Systems
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Dewatering and water removal equipment.
Lesson 5: Safe Work Practices
- 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.
- The conditions under which a Competent Person should inspect excavations and trenches.
Final Examination
Frequently Asked Questions
OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth of a trench is greater than its width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 m).
Excavation and trenching work present hazards such as cave-ins, exposure to toxic fumes, asphyxiation, falls, and drowning. This course provides insights into identifying and mitigating these specific risks.
The training also improves workplace safety, reduces the risk of injuries and fatalities, and helps employers maintain safer and more compliant excavation and trenching operations.
This course covers preventive strategies for excavation hazards, including the use of protective systems, proper equipment, and adherence to safety regulations. It emphasizes creating a secure work environment for everyone involved
- Covers OSHA excavation standards under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P.
- Provides practical trenching and shoring safety guidance.
- Helps workers recognize excavation and trenching hazards.
- Supports OSHA compliance and workplace safety initiatives.
- Includes training on protective systems and soil classification.
- Improves hazard awareness and safe excavation practices.
- Convenient online excavation safety training format.
- Designed for construction and industrial work environments.
- Helps reduce the risk of trench collapse and related injuries.
- Suitable for both new and experienced workers.
- All employees must take this training course as those who work in and around excavations and trenches must be aware of measures to protect themselves from cave-ins, falling loads, electrocutions, explosions, falls, and hazardous atmospheres.
- Individuals who wish to refresh their knowledge and understanding of excavation and trenching operations may also enroll in this safety training course.
There are no prerequisites for this course.
OSHA does not specify how often someone needs to attend this excavation, trenching, and shoring online training. However, OSHA does indicate that 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 recommend 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.
Certificate of Completion: Immediately after passing the final exam, you can download, save, or print your certificate in PDF format.
Validity: The course certificate is valid for three years.
Renewal: Take this course in 36 months to maintain compliance and stay current on excavation and trenching best practices at construction sites.
Choose Your Ideal Training Format:
Scorm Package
Virtual Instructor-Led
$199.00/Seat (minimum 10 seats)
Client-Site In-Person
$750.00/Seat (minimum 10 seats)
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