Vertical
Stable rock
90°
29 CFR 1926 Subpart P · English & Español
Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching & Shoring
The person who reads the soil, inspects the trench and stops the work when it isn't safe. Learn to take on that role in 8 hours online. OSHA notes that a single cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car.
Course at a glance
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Lessons
- 20 in 6 modules
- Credits
- 0.8 CEU
- Certificate
- Valid 2 years
Numbers every competent person knows
Key thresholds from OSHA's excavation standard, all covered in the course.
5 ftDepth at which a protective system is required, unless the excavation is entirely in stable rock.
20 ftBeyond this depth, protective systems must be designed by a registered professional engineer.
4 ft · 25 ftTrenches 4 ft or deeper need a ladder, stairway or ramp within 25 ft of lateral travel.
2 ftMinimum setback for spoil piles and equipment from the edge of the excavation.
DailyInspections by the competent person before work starts, and as needed through the shift.
Classify the soil, then slope or shore
Maximum allowable slopes for excavations under 20 ft deep, from Appendix B to Subpart P.
¾ : 1
Type A
53°
1 : 1
Type B
45°
1½ : 1
Type C
34°
The course also covers unconfined compressive strength testing and when to choose sloping, shoring or shielding.
6 modules, 20 lessons
Foundation of excavation & trenching
Excavations vs. trenches, hazards, and the competent person's role.
Safe work practices & site preparation
Safe work practices, underground utilities, PPE and respiratory protection.
Ingress & egress
Safe access procedures, ladder setup, ladder inspection and maintenance, stairway safety.
Soil analysis & hazard recognition
Soil classification, confined space hazards and their controls.
Protective & fall prevention systems
Protective systems and their requirements, and fall protection for trench work.
Emergency response & rescue planning
Confined space rescue, fall rescue plans, and excavation emergency response.
Who should take it
- Workers designated, or expected to be designated, as the competent person
- Foremen, crew leads and site supervisors running daily trench inspections
- Safety officers and compliance staff
- Construction engineers and project managers
- Contractors and subcontractors doing utility installation, shoring or site prep
- Utility and infrastructure maintenance teams
Competent person duties
- Classifying soil
- Inspecting protective systems
- Designing structural ramps
- Monitoring water removal equipment
- Conducting site inspections
FAQ
Who is a Competent Person for excavations?
Someone designated by the employer who can identify existing and predictable hazards and is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. Under the excavation standard, the competent person's tasks include classifying soil, inspecting protective systems, designing structural ramps, monitoring water removal equipment and conducting site inspections.
Does OSHA require a Competent Person on excavation sites?
Yes. OSHA's excavation standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, relies on a competent person to inspect excavations, adjacent areas and protective systems. This course provides training for people their employer designates in that role.
Are there prerequisites?
No. There are no prerequisites. The course takes about 8 hours and is available in English and Spanish.
How long is the certificate valid?
You can download your certificate as soon as you pass the final exam. It is valid for two years; retake the course within 24 months to stay current.
Does it cover digging near live electrical lines?
The course covers locating and working near underground utilities. Work near live electrical lines may call for additional electrical safety training, such as the arc flash safety course.
Own the trench.
$159.99 per person, with bulk pricing for crews. 100% online and available 24/7, in English or Spanish. SCORM, virtual and in-person formats are also available for teams.
Enroll now