Heat Pumps
Health & Safety
Geothermal
General Construction
Trenching and Shoring Safety

1 hour
to complete
SCORM
Last updated 06/2025
About this course
The primary goal of this course is to teach you safe work practices for trenching and shoring operations. You will learn how protection systems and other safety precautions can prevent serious injuries related to excavation work. After you complete this course, you will:
- Recognize hazards you may encounter when working in and around trenches
- Understand how OSHA trenching regulations reduce your exposure to hazards
- Identify employer policies and procedures used to control trenching hazards
- Practice safe work habits to prevent accidents or injuries during trenching operations
Key topics covered in the course include:
- Hazards of trenching
- Employer-designated competent persons and worksite inspection
- Soil types and protective systems
- Ongoing testing and testing
- Access, egress, setback and equipment
- Working defensively
- And more
The Trenching and Shoring Safety in Construction Environments course is ideal for any employee who works in or around trenches.
Course outline
2 modules
1 hour to complete
1 minutes
of video lectures
Module 1 • 1 assignments
Trenching and Shoring Safety
Module 1 • 1 assignments
Trenching and Shoring Safety
Trenching is one of the most hazardous tasks in construction. Open excavations in the Earth's surface can cave in unexpectedly, causing injury or death if the proper protective systems — including adequate shoring — are not in place. This course will increase your awareness of possible hazards and important safety procedures that help prevent trenching incidents.
- How this course works (it's a little different from other HeatSpring courses) (01:31 minutes)
Author
OSHA Education Center is HeatSpring's official provider for OSHA training. Since 2012, OSHA Education Center has been delivering the training and regulatory expertise that professionals and employers need to stay up to date with industry training requirements. HeatSpring partners with OSHA Education Center to deliver 10- and 30-hour OSHA Outreach training, including...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
Our online Trenching and Shoring Safety in Construction Environments course has numerous benefits, including:
- 24/7 course access
- Log on and off as needed
- Work on your course anywhere with internet access
- Audio narration plus full-motion video
- Allows up to 90 days to complete the course
Once you finish the course and pass a brief test on the core topics, you can instantly download your Certificate of Completion. The Trenching and Shoring Safety in Construction Environments course takes less than an hour to complete.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.