The Facts

• Excavation safety awareness has become increasingly important to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as studies of excavation failures show the risk associated with excavations are not as low as once thought.
  
  

Features

• Common topics in an excavation safety course include soil types and their particular hazards. Students also learn the use of sloping, shielding and shoring to protect workers in an excavation and other OSHA mandates, such as exit requirements.
  
  

Time Frame

• Most excavation safety courses that are not self-paced are six to eight hours in length. Management-level classes are typically in seminar format, for 16 hours over two days.
  
  

Function

• The goal of any level of excavation course is to ensure public and employee safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of services and utilities by promoting effective damage prevention and safe work practices.
  
  

Significance

• OSHA recognizes excavation in its updated Safety and Health Regulations for Construction as one of the most hazardous construction operations.
  
  

Considerations

• Seven states require construction workers complete the OSHA 10-hour construction safety-training course, which is basic excavation training.