Summary:
After completing the course you should be able to recognize the hazards associated with trenching and excavating and how to control them by administrative, engineering, or personal protective measures; know how to contact utility owners for locates; know what type of protective structure (shoring) to use to protect your workers; identify the need for environmental assessments.
Safety in trenching and excavating can be accomplished with proper hazard assessment and control, planning, and by communicating to workers about the hazards associated with the work to be undertaken.