Introduction
This course helps to address requirements of the Excavation and Trenching Standard set forth by OSHA. Catered to equipment operators, workers and all others associated with trenching and excavating, each student will learn how to recognize hazardous conditions that could result in injury or a fatality. Soil composition is discussed in moderate detail to provide a general overview of the various properties associated with different types of soil and how to predict their behavior in varying conditions. Some of the most common types of soil conditions that lead to trench and excavation failure are also discussed. You will learn the basic trenching operations that help make a trench safe for workers, methods for protecting employees against cave-ins, and other safe work practices for employees.
Course Objectives
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Identify and describe the OSHA standards that apply to excavations. |
| LO 1.1.2 | Identify and describe the basic strategies to prevent excavation cave-ins. |
| LO 1.1.3 | Define "competent person" (CP) and describe CP responsibilities. |
| LO 1.2.1 | List and describe soil characteristics and types. |
| LO 1.2.2 | Discuss soil mechanics including soil weight and soil type. |
| LO 1.3.1 | Describe the reasons soils fail, including sliding and soil instability. |
| LO 1.4.1 | Describe the four types of excavation protective systems and how they are selected. |
| LO 1.5.1 | Describe employer responsibilities to ensure the safety of employees working in excavations. |
| LO 1.6.1 | Describe contractor responsibilities and site safety requirements for excavation and materials while employees are exposed to associated hazards. |
Key: Terminal Objective (TO), Learning Objective (LO)