Ground Disturbance - Level I
This two-hour program is designed to ensure personnel are aware of hazards and the necessary items required to ensure safety. Participants are always under the direct guidance of a Level II certified Ground Disturbance Supervisor who has Level II Certification. This program was designed to meet the regulatory requirements for companies with a massive, fully supervised labour base. Emphasis is placed on recognizing hazards, and knowing when to stop work and inform the supervisor for further assessment. Participants are able to explain what a ground disturbance is, when and why common hits occur, define what a Code of Practice is and why there is the need for one. Other topics include undertaking a ground disturbance, and distances involved when searching for an underground facility. Participants are able to illustrate the minimum sources for searching for an underground facility, and know how to use permits and pre-job meetings to their full advantage.
Ground Disturbance - Level II
Level II is a 6.5-hour program with the first two hours encompassing Level I. Level II is designed for any party that is supervising a ground disturbance, independently performing a ground disturbance, or issuing and receiving ground disturbance permits. The program ensures that Level II personnel are familiar with, and fully understand, all the regulations and variances involved when a ground disturbance takes place. The course is presented in a logical sequence – from the pre-planning stage to the actual dig – and highlights the “‘musts” compared to the “shoulds”. Level II is the standardized program recognized by industry regulators. The prerequisite for this course is the successful completion of Level I. Participants learn how to clarify sources when searching for underground facilities, provide notification to the facility owner and receive owner notification. Participants gain an understanding of the necessary approvals/crossing agreements and regulations necessary before creating a ground disturbance. They learn to create a plot plan/site drawing, gain an understanding of line locating and learn about types of exposure. Participants will also learn how to do a back-fill inspection, as well as how to use permits and conduct pre-job meetings. Emergency response plans and what to do in case an underground facility is contacted are also covered.
Objectives are tested by written competency exam. Certification, valid for three years, is issued upon completion of objectives.
Basic Trench Pre-Entry
This course deals with confined spaces in trenching and excavation situations. It covers the regulations, as well as trenching and excavation facts, figures and fatalities. Participants learn about trench and excavation dimensions as well as types of temporary protective structures, and gain an understanding of different soil types and conditions. Additional hazards and the rescue equipment needed is also covered. Participants also learn about initial incident responses.
Objectives are tested by both practical demonstration and written competency exam. Certification, valid for three years, is issued upon completion of objectives.
Basic Trench Rescue
The prerequisite for this course is Basic Trench Pre-Entry. In this course, participants learn how to successfully don protective equipment, identify correct/incorrect temporary structures and perform one rescue from a trench.
Objectives are tested by both practical demonstration and written competency exam. Certification, valid for three years, is issued upon completion of objectives.
Advanced Trench Pre-Entry
This course is an extension of the Basic Trench Pre-Entry and Rescue courses. In this advanced program, participants gain a deeper understanding of trench and excavation dimensions, as well as cut-back specifications and cut-backs of walls. Types of temporary protective structure specifications is covered, as well as a combination of trenching and excavation procedures. Participants learn about spoil piles and specifications, including soil types and conditions, and additional hazards (i.e. atmosphere) in a trench entry. The course also describes types of rescue equipment and installation of rescue equipment. Participants are able to identify an initial response to an incident as well as the rescuer response.
Objectives are tested by both practical demonstration and written competency exam. Certification, valid for three years, is issued on completion of objectives.
Advanced Trench Rescue
The prerequisite for this course is Advanced Trench Pre-Entry. In this course, participants learn how to don protective equipment, recognize correct/incorrect temporary structures, identify equipment required for trench entry and demonstrate atmospheric testing of a trench. After successfully assembling the rescue equipment, participants will perform three rescues from various trench scenarios.
Objectives are tested by both practical demonstration and written competency exam. Certification, valid for three years, is issued upon completion of objectives.
