Excavation Competent Person (Trenching and Excavation)

Última actualización: octubre 15, 2026

5 modules
19 pages
about 30 minutes

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Excavation Competent Person (Trenching and Excavation)

Lección 1

Curso interactivo

Learn the competent person's duties in excavation work: daily inspections, soil classification, protective system selection and the site hazards you control.

New to the role? Learn what an OSHA competent person is and why every crew needs one →

What this certificate covers

This certificate records completion of awareness training based on OSHA 29 CFR 1926.650, 1926.651 and 1926.652 and Appendices A and B to Subpart P. It is not an OSHA card or license, and it does not by itself make anyone a competent person under the standard. Subpart P has no training requirement of its own. Your employer must still make sure that the competent-person duties in Subpart P, such as the inspections in 1926.651(k) and any soil classification under Appendix A, are carried out by a competent person: one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

What you will learn

Carry out and time the competent person's inspections, and act on what you find
Handle water accumulation and runoff hazards
Classify soil as Stable Rock, Type A, Type B or Type C using visual and manual tests
Choose and check a protective system and know when a deposit must be reclassified
Control the site hazards that depend on you: utilities, atmosphere, egress and spoil

What you get

About 30 minutes, on your phone or computer, read out loud as you go
Real photos, not cartoons
A hands-on drill: you make the calls, step by step, and see what happens
4 quick checks along the way, then a final quiz
A certificate with a QR code your employer can check online
A wallet card you can print and carry
A printable study guide (PDF)

Training a crew? Add your workers, see who finished, and keep every certificate in one place. Train your team →

Course outline

Inspections and water: Daily inspections; Water in the excavation
Classifying soil: Your classification duties; Type A, Type B and Type C; Visual and manual tests
Protective systems: When a protective system is required; Sloping and benching; Support and shield systems
Site hazards you control: Utilities before you dig; Atmosphere, egress and spoil
On the job

Questions

What does Excavation Competent Person (Trenching and Excavation) cover?

You will be able to: carry out and time the competent person's inspections, and act on what you find; handle water accumulation and runoff hazards; classify soil as Stable Rock, Type A, Type B or Type C using visual and manual tests; choose and check a protective system and know when a deposit must be reclassified; control the site hazards that depend on you: utilities, atmosphere, egress and spoil.

Who is this course for?

It is written for supervisors.

How long does it take?

About 30 minutes, on a phone or a computer. You can stop and pick up where you left off.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes. Score 80% or better on the final quiz and you get a certificate with a code your employer can check.

Which OSHA rule is it based on?

Based on OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P (1926.650-652 and Appendices A and B). It is awareness training: it is not an OSHA card, and your employer still has to train you on their own equipment and plan.

Course facts

Who it is for: Supervisors
Trainer: Marc Harvey, Site Safety Officer (OSHA 30, CPR, USACE CQM)
Time: about 30 minutes, on your phone or computer
Final quiz pass mark: 80%, with a certificate employers can verify
Based on OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P (1926.650-652 and Appendices A and B) (official text)
Printable study guide (PDF) with the key points and practice questions, included with the course
Answer key with OSHA citations for trainers (trainer plans)
Facts checked word for word against the official text (1 sources)
29 CFR 1926 Subpart P