Excavation Compliance · Online Training
OSHA Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Training
Two online courses covering every role on an excavation job site: Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety Training for the crew working in and around trenches, and Competent Person training for the individual responsible for daily inspections, protective systems, and program oversight. Aligned with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P.
Course Snapshot
- Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety $59.99
- Competent Person $159.99
Overview
Why Excavation & Trenching Training Matters
Cave-ins remain one of the deadliest hazards in construction, and unlike most incidents they can happen in seconds with almost no warning. A single cubic yard of soil can weigh over a ton, and workers rarely survive a full collapse. Proper training for both the crew and the site's Competent Person is what keeps a trench job from becoming a fatality statistic.
Every Role, Covered Separately
A crew-level safety course and a dedicated Competent Person track, so each role gets the depth it actually needs.
Reduce Cave-Ins & Violations
Understand soil classification, protective systems, and daily inspection duties so your crew and your paperwork hold up if OSHA ever shows up.
Train on Any Schedule
Self-paced, mobile-friendly lessons your staff can complete between shifts, on any device.
English & Spanish
Course content is available in both languages, suited to mixed-language crews and project teams.
Instant Certification
A certificate of completion is issued immediately after each course, ready for your compliance files.
Built for Real Jobsites
Scenarios drawn from utility trenches, pipeline work, and foundation excavations, not generic classroom theory.
Courses
Choose the Right Course for Your Role
Both courses are self-paced and aligned with OSHA's excavation standard. Many crews enroll their whole team in Safety Training and their designated Competent Person in the advanced course.
Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety Training
Ideal training for workers involved in excavation and trenching operations at construction sites, covering hazard recognition and safe work practices around open trenches.
- 3 HoursDuration
- EN & ESLanguages
- On-DemandFormat
- Recognize cave-in, atmospheric, and utility strike hazards
- Understand soil classification and protective system basics
- Identify safe access, egress, and spoil pile placement
- Know when to stop work and notify the Competent Person
Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Training
Advanced training under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P for the person responsible for a site's daily inspections, protective system selection, and overall excavation program, including large-scale and federally funded projects.
- 8 HoursDuration
- EN & ESLanguages
- On-DemandFormat
- Classify soil and select sloping, benching, or shoring systems
- Conduct required daily excavation inspections
- Evaluate protective system design and installation
- Build a written excavation safety program & emergency plan
| Compare | Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety | Competent Person |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Hazard awareness & safe work practices for the crew | Program oversight, inspections & protective system selection |
| Best for | Excavation crews, equipment operators, laborers, utility & municipal staff | Safety managers, foremen, EHS coordinators, program owners |
| Duration | 3 Hours | 8 Hours |
| Price | $59.99 / seat | $159.99 / seat |
Curriculum
What Each Course Covers
Focused, practical modules broken out by role.
Safety Training
Crew-Level Hazard Awareness
-
01
Understanding Excavation Hazards
Cave-ins, engulfment, falls, water accumulation, and hazardous atmospheres common to open trenches.
-
02
OSHA Subpart P Overview
The structure of the excavation standard and where crew-level duties come from.
-
03
Soil & Protective Systems Basics
How soil type drives the choice between sloping, benching, shielding, and shoring.
-
04
Safe Access, Egress & Spoil Placement
Ladder and ramp requirements, spoil pile setback, and safe distances from the edge.
-
05
Utility Location & Emergency Awareness
Call-before-you-dig practices, underground utility hazards, and when to stop work and notify the Competent Person.
Competent Person
Program Oversight Track
-
01
Defining the Competent Person Role
Authority and legal responsibility under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P.
-
02
Soil Classification
Classifying Stable Rock, Type A, Type B, and Type C soils using visual and manual analysis tests.
-
03
Selecting Protective Systems
Choosing and sizing sloping, benching, shielding, and shoring systems for site conditions.
-
04
Daily Inspection Duties
Required inspections before each shift, after rainfall, and whenever conditions change.
-
05
Program Development & Emergency Planning
Building a written excavation safety program and rescue plan that holds up under inspection.
Who It's For
Built for Everyone Who Works Around Excavations
Enroll
Get Your Team Trained Today
Reserve seats in either course, and our team will follow up to complete enrollment.
Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety Training
- 3 hours of self-paced online training
- Available in English and Spanish
- Mobile-optimized, accessible 24/7
- Certificate of completion issued immediately
- Aligned with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
This reserves seats in the On-Demand Online course. Need SCORM, Virtual Instructor-Led, or In-Person Group training instead? See other formats on HAZWOPER-OSHA.com →
Seat count received.
You'll be taken to secure payment to complete your enrollment.
Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Training
- 8 hours of self-paced online training
- Available in English and Spanish
- Mobile-optimized, accessible 24/7
- Certificate of completion issued immediately
- Aligned with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
This reserves seats in the On-Demand Online course. Need SCORM, Virtual Instructor-Led, or In-Person Group training instead? See other formats on HAZWOPER-OSHA.com →
Seat count received.
You'll be taken to secure payment to complete your enrollment.
FAQ
Common Questions
It depends on your role. Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety Training is for anyone working in or around an excavation, including operators and laborers. Competent Person training is for the individual responsible for classifying soil, selecting protective systems, running daily inspections, and owning the site's overall excavation program.
Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety Training runs about 3 hours, and Competent Person training runs about 8 hours. Both are self-paced.
Yes. Both courses are available in English and Spanish.
Yes, a certificate of completion is issued immediately after finishing either course, ready to keep in your compliance files.
These courses follow OSHA's excavation standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, which governs sloping, benching, shoring, shielding, and daily inspection requirements for excavation and trenching work.
Yes. OSHA requires a designated Competent Person to inspect excavations daily, before each shift, and after any event that could increase hazards, such as rainfall. It's common for the same person to hold both certifications, taking Safety Training first and Competent Person training as they take on more responsibility.
Keep Your Crew Compliant. Train Every Role.
Two courses, online. Certificate on completion. English & Spanish.