Excavation & Trench Training & Certification
Hard Hat Training courses meet all training requirements set by OSHA and Canada.
We Offer Three Types of Trench Safety Trainings
Our regulation-aligned Trench Safety 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 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.
The training kit is for those who want the freedom of doing the training themselves. It is a PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) that you can present yourself to a group of trainees.
Train the Trainer courses are online and meant to certify an 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.
What’s in the Trench Safety Training Course?
Our Trench Safety training course is regulation aligned, and our online version fulfills OSHA’s classroom training requirement. Each class contains sections on competency, soil classification, protective systems, atmosphere, 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, as required.
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.
See Purchase Options
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!
Online Purchase Options
Training Kit Purchase Options
Train the Trainer Purchase Options
Trench Safety Certification Standards
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U.S. Standards
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
- 29 CFR 1926.651 – Specific Excavation Requirements
- 29 CFR 1926.652 – Requirements for Protective Systems
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P App A – Soil Classification
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P App B – Sloping and Benching
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P App C – Timber Shoring for Trenches
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P App D – Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring for Trenches
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P App E – Alternatives to Timber Shoring
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P App F – Selection of Protective Systems
- 29 CFR 1926.20 – General Safety and Health Provisions, Training
- 29 CFR 1926.21 – Training and Education
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CAL/OSHA Requirements
- 1539 – Permits
- 1541 – General Requirements
- 1541.1 – Protective Systems
- 1541.1 Appendix A – Soil Types
- 1541.1 Appendix B – Sloping and Trenching
- 1541.1 Appendix C – Timber Shoring
- 1541.1 Appendix D – Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring
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Canada Standards
- SOR 213/91 – Construction Projects
- SOR 86-304, s. 1.2 – Qualified Person
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 Trench Safety Training?
In line with regulations, anyone who works in and around trenches must receive training prior to working on their own. While 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 Trench Safety
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Did You Know?
A cubic yard of soil (27 cubic feet, or 1 cubic meter) weighs more than the average compact car.
From 2011 – 2016, there were over 130 fatalities related to trenching and excavation.
49% of the 130 fatalities occurred in 2015-2016.
See Purchase Options
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!
