Crew-Level Safety Course
Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety Training
A 3-hour, OSHA-aligned course for anyone who works in or around excavations and trenches - hazard recognition, soil and protective system basics, and safe work practices.
| Duration | 3 hours, self-paced |
| Price | $59.99 per seat |
| Format | On-demand online (SCORM, Virtual Instructor-Led, and In-Person Group available through HAZWOPER OSHA Training) |
| Languages | English and Spanish |
| Device Compatibility | Desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile browsers |
| Certificate Issued | Certificate of completion, immediately on passing |
| Certificate Validity | 36 months, before a refresher is recommended |
| CEUs | Not issued per-course. HAZWOPER OSHA Training is IACET Accredited at the organizational level - see Credential Transparency. |
| OSHA Standard Covered | 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, Excavations |
Role & Purpose
This course builds hazard awareness for anyone whose job puts them in or around an open excavation or trench. It covers what makes trenching dangerous, how soil type and protective systems reduce that danger, and what to do - and who to notify - when something looks wrong. It is not a Competent Person course; it does not cover soil classification testing, protective system design, or daily inspection duties in depth. For that, see Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Training.
Who Should Take This Course
- Excavation and trenching crew members
- Equipment operators working near open trenches
- Utility and municipal crews performing ground disturbance work
- Pipeline and underground contractors
- Laborers and general contractors on projects with excavation work
- Anyone entering, working around, or supervising entry-level work near a trench
Who Should Not Rely on This Course Alone
- Anyone being designated the site's Competent Person - take Competent Person training instead
- Anyone responsible for soil classification, protective system selection, or daily excavation inspections
- Anyone expecting this course to satisfy a requirement for an OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour Outreach card - those are separate programs; see Credential Transparency
Learning Objectives
- Recognize cave-in, engulfment, fall, water accumulation, and hazardous atmosphere risks around excavations
- Describe the structure of OSHA's excavation standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
- Explain the basics of soil classification and how it drives protective system choice
- Identify safe access, egress, and spoil pile placement requirements
- Understand call-before-you-dig practices and underground utility hazards
- Know when to stop work and notify the Competent Person
Full Curriculum
- Understanding Excavation Hazards - cave-ins, engulfment, falls, water accumulation, and hazardous atmospheres common to open trenches.
- OSHA Subpart P Overview - the structure of the excavation standard and where crew-level duties come from.
- Soil & Protective Systems Basics - how soil type drives the choice between sloping, benching, shielding, and shoring.
- Safe Access, Egress & Spoil Placement - ladder and ramp requirements, spoil pile setback, and safe distances from the edge.
- Utility Location & Emergency Awareness - call-before-you-dig practices, underground utility hazards, and when to stop work and notify the Competent Person.
Knowledge Check & Exam Details
The course includes knowledge checks throughout and a final assessment. A passing score is required to receive a certificate of completion. If a student does not pass on the first attempt, a retake is available; contact HAZWOPER OSHA Training support at 1-866-429-6742 for the current passing-score threshold and retake process for your enrollment.
Sample Certificate
Below is a redacted sample. It illustrates the certificate format only - it is not a real certificate and does not represent OSHA issuance.
HAZWOPER OSHA Training, LLC
Certificate of Completion
[Student Name Redacted]
Verification: hazwoper-osha.com/certificate-verification
Employer Responsibility
This course supports OSHA compliance but does not replace it. Employers remain responsible for site-specific hazard assessment, protective system selection, daily inspections, and ensuring each worker is trained, qualified, authorized, and competent for the excavation duties and jobsite conditions they'll actually encounter.
Policies
See our Refund Policy and Certificate Policy for cancellation terms and certificate handling.
Also Available Through HAZWOPER OSHA Training
SCORM packages for company LMS platforms, Virtual Instructor-Led sessions, and In-Person Group training for this course are available directly through HAZWOPER OSHA Training. See Certifications & Accreditations for provider credentials.
Enroll
Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety Training
Excavation, Trenching & Shoring Safety Training
- 3 hours of self-paced online training
- Available in English and Spanish
- Certificate of completion, valid 36 months
- Aligned with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P