Certified OSHA Training
Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person
- OSHA-Authorized
- DOL-Aligned
$
$100.00$
What You’ll Learn?
Updated:
Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person
\
What You’ll Learn?
Course Details
Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person is an advanced, self-paced online course that prepares designated competent persons to manage the serious hazards of excavation and trenching work. Delivered entirely through our online learning platform, the training builds the knowledge required to recognize, evaluate, and correct excavation hazards on active construction sites. Instruction is aligned with the OSHA excavation standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, and covers the specific duties OSHA assigns to a competent person. You will study soil classification using visual and manual testing methods, along with the selection of protective systems such as sloping, shoring, and shielding. The course also addresses cave-in hazards, hazardous atmospheres and atmospheric testing, water accumulation, and struck-by risks from equipment and falling loads. Additional lessons cover daily excavation inspections and proximity hazards, including underground utilities and surface encumbrances.
Because it is asynchronous and self-paced, you can complete the roughly 3.5 contact hours of instruction on your own schedule from any connected device. The program carries 0.35 IACET CEU and concludes with a certificate of completion that documents your training. Note that competent person status also depends on relevant field experience and employer authorization to take prompt corrective action, so this training complements rather than replaces on-the-job qualification. Enroll today to strengthen your excavation and trenching safety knowledge and support your role as an OSHA competent person.
Course Syllabus
Course Description
Pre-Course Information Sheet
Course: Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person (Online)
Course Overview
This course provides advanced safety training for individuals designated as “Competent Persons” responsible for excavation and trenching operations. Instruction focuses on hazard identification, soil classification, protective systems, atmospheric testing, inspection requirements, and compliance with OSHA Excavation Standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P).
Participants will develop the ability to recognize, evaluate, and correct excavation hazards, including cave-in risks, utility strikes, water accumulation, and hazardous atmospheres.
Delivery Method
Online / LMS-Based Asynchronous Learning
Participants may complete the course at their own pace within the allotted course access period.
Course Duration
3.5 Contact Hours
IACET CEUs Awarded
0.35 CEU
Technical Requirements
Participants must have:
- Have prior construction or excavation site experience
- Possess basic knowledge of construction safety practices
- Be familiar with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 standards (recommended)
- Be able to participate in both classroom and field-based instruction (if applicable)
- Reliable internet access
- Current web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari)
- Audio capability for course videos and PowerPoint
- Ability to view PDF documents
- Access to the TTI Learning Management System (LMS)
Recommendation:
- Desktop or laptop computer for optimal learning experience
Criteria for Earning IACET
To receive 0.35 IACET CEU, participants must:
- Complete all required course modules
- Complete all learning activities
- Successfully complete required assessments
- Achieve a minimum passing score of 80% on course assessments
- Complete the course evaluation
Learner Support
Technical assistance is available for LMS access and navigation issues.
For support, contact:
Phone: (817) 769-6275
Email: [email protected]
Accessibility Statement
TTI is committed to providing an accessible learning environment. Course materials include accessibility features such as:
- Accessible digital content
- Adjustable screen viewing options where available
Learners requiring accommodation should contact TTI prior to beginning the course.
Important Completion Information
Participants are encouraged to complete the course within the assigned enrollment period. Progress is automatically tracked within the LMS.
Failure to complete all required activities and assessments will result in no CEU award being issued.
Acknowledgment
By beginning this course, participants acknowledge that they have reviewed and understand the course requirements, learning outcomes, participation expectations, and CEU award criteria.
What Will I Learn?
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Interpret OSHA Excavation and Trenching requirements under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P.
- Identify excavation and trenching hazards, including cave-ins, falls, and struck-by hazards.
- Classify soil types using visual and manual testing methods.
- Determine appropriate protective systems, including sloping, shoring, and shielding.
- Conduct required daily excavation inspections as a Competent Person.
- Identify hazardous atmospheres and determine when atmospheric testing is required.
- Recognize proximity hazards such as underground utilities and surface encumbrances.
- Implement corrective actions to eliminate or control excavation hazards.
- Understand documentation and recordkeeping responsibilities of a Competent Person.
Target Audience
This course is intended:
- Designated OSHA Competent Persons for excavation and trenching operations
- Construction supervisors and site safety managers
- Foremen and crew leaders overseeing excavation work
- Safety professionals responsible for excavation compliance
- Workers preparing for competent person designation
Total Course Duration
3 hours, 30 minutes
Materials Included
Participants will have access to:
- Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person Modules
- Final Assessment
- Course Evaluation
Requirements / Instructions
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, participants should:
- Be able to understand written and verbal safety instructions
- Be physically capable of participating in instructional activities
- Have general construction or industrial site safety awareness (recommended)
Curriculum
5 modules · 3 hours
Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person Part 1
Excavation and trenching "Competent Person" training is a course designed to meet OSHA requirements for a person who has the authority to take immediate action on a job site to correct hazards. The training covers identifying existing and likely hazards in excavation work, such as soil analysis, the dangers of atmospheric conditions, and underground utilities, and how to control or mitigate them using methods like shoring, sloping, or shielding. This includes understanding OSHA's requirements for protective systems, access/egress, and daily inspections.
- Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person Part 1Lesson
Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person Part 2
Excavation and trenching "Competent Person" training is a course designed to meet OSHA requirements for a person who has the authority to take immediate action on a job site to correct hazards. The training covers identifying existing and likely hazards in excavation work, such as soil analysis, the dangers of atmospheric conditions, and underground utilities, and how to control or mitigate them using methods like shoring, sloping, or shielding. This includes understanding OSHA's requirements for protective systems, access/egress, and daily inspections.
- Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person Part 2Lesson
Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person Part 3
Excavation and trenching "Competent Person" training is a course designed to meet OSHA requirements for a person who has the authority to take immediate action on a job site to correct hazards. The training covers identifying existing and likely hazards in excavation work, such as soil analysis, the dangers of atmospheric conditions, and underground utilities, and how to control or mitigate them using methods like shoring, sloping, or shielding. This includes understanding OSHA's requirements for protective systems, access/egress, and daily inspections.
- Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person Part 3Lesson
Final Exam
The final exam for the Excavation and Trenching Competent Person training focuses on OSHA standards and the competent person's role and responsibilities in identifying and correcting hazards.
- Excavation and Trenching For Competent Person Final ExamQuiz
Course Evaluation
\
- Course Review & CompletionLesson
Certificate of Completion
Meet Your Instructor
Lead HSE Instructor
The Training Institute is a team of seasoned field experts with decades of hands-on experience across electrical safety, OSHA compliance, confined-space training, and hazardous-materials response. Our instructors combine practical jobsite expertise with proven adult-learning methodology to deliver training that meets — and exceeds — federal and industry standards.
Student Review
(
0 Review)
Similar Courses
by
The Training Institute
by
The Training Institute
by
The Training Institute
Ready to get certified?
Enroll in Excavation and Trenching for the Competent Person
Volume pricing for 5+ seats. Dedicated compliance support and audit-ready records.
Sign Up for Newsletter
Quick Links
Visit Us
1509 S. Dobson Street
Burleson, TX 76028
© 2026 The Training Institute. All rights reserved.
Course Materials
Preview the materials included with this course. Enrolled students can download all files.
- Excavation and Trenching for the Competent PersonSign in & enroll