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Trencher Training & Certification
Hard Hat Training courses meet all training requirements set by OSHA and CSA.
We Offer Three Types of Trencher Safety Trainings
Our regulation-aligned Trencher certification courses are updated to reflect the most recent changes made to safety standards. Whether you want a certification in as little as two hours, or a more robust training, we can help! We offer online trainings that can be completed in a day, DIY training kits that provide training materials, Train the Trainer certifications that certify individuals to train others and provide training materials, or onsite training. No matter what you choose, we can get you what you want, at a price you can afford.
Online Training
Online training is for those who prefer self-paced training from any location and/or for employers who need to assign and monitor employee training progress and exam scores.
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Training Kits
The training kit is for those who want the freedom of doing the training themselves. It is an PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) that you can present yourself to a group of trainees.
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Train the Trainer
Train the Trainer courses are online and meant to certify a individual to use the training kit to train others. Training kit and materials are included with the Train the Trainer online course for no additional cost.
Purchase OptionsWhat’s in the Trencher Training Course?
Our Trencher safety training course is regulation aligned, and our online version fulfills classroom training requirements. Each class contains sections on anatomical components, safe operations, common hazards, and more.
This presentation includes intermittent practice quiz questions to prepare for the final written exam included with the course. In addition to the written exam, this course also includes a checklist for employers to use when administering a practical exam.
While this training encompasses many important safety standards, you will still need to familiarize yourself with any other federal, state, and local standards that apply to your specific workplace.
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For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase OptionsTrencher Certification Standards
U.S. Standards
Canada Standards
Train the Trainer Certification
The Train the Trainer option is used to certify a trainer to teach others using the included training kit. It incorporates the online course with an additional train the trainer module, as well as the training kit. This option results in an regulation-aligned lifetime trainer certification from Hard Hat Training. This certification is not company-specific, meaning you can take it with you should you change employers.
Why Do I Need Trencher Safety Training?
In line with regulations, anyone who operates heavy equipment must receive training prior to operating the machine on their own. Requirements for refresher training related to forklifts or other processes are very specific. Most other equipment doesn’t have such specific requirements, but it’s wise to follow the same guidelines.
When it comes to refresher training, the standards in some instances (like forklifts) are very specific: operators must be re-evaluated every three years to see if they are still competent to operate the equipment. Best practices say to apply this same rule to all types of equipment. A so-called “free-pass” cannot be awarded based on experience, age, or time on the job. The extent of the evaluation is to be determined by the employer, but should include a written and practical examination that prove continued competency.
Stay Informed On All Things Trencher
Did You Know?
Trenching machines are also known as ditchers or digging wheels. (Source: Encyclopedia Britannica).
Between 2003 and 2017, at least 373 workers were killed in trenching accidents. (Source: CDC).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses trenchers?
Trenchers have industrial, rural, and urban uses. The size and type of the trencher indicates what material it is designed for excavating through, from loam to rock. Municipal utility installation often requires trenching to install buried wires and pipes. Landscapers and employees may use smaller models to cut cement or install irrigation.
How deep can a trencher dig?
Trenchers include a wide range of dimensions beginning at a foot or shallower, but the largest trenchers may go as deep as 18 feet (5.5 m).
How heavy is a trencher?
Trenchers range from about 200 lbs (90 kg) to 120 tons (110 metric tons). The kind you’d rent from your local DIY store is probably between 200-500 lbs.
What is the biggest hazard for a trencher operator?
Although struck-by accidents are especially common, the driver is most often endangered by electrical hazards (striking buried electrical lines) and caught-in hazards (attempting maintenance while the trencher is running).
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For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase Options