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RESULTS-ORITNTED Training Description
Course Duration
1 Day
Training Delivery Method
Classroom (Instructor-Led)
Instructors Languages
English / Arabic / Urdu / Hindi / Pashto
Certification Provider
Tamkene Saudi Training Center - Approved by TVTC (Technical and Vocational Training Corporation)
Certificate Validity
2 Years (Extendable with additional training hours)
Course Average Passing Rate
97%
Competency Assessment Criteria
Practical Assessment and Knowledge Assessment
Post Training Reporting
Post Training Report + Candidate(s) Training Evaluation Forms
Training Design Methodology
ADDIE Training Design Methodology
Certificate of Successful Completion
Certification is provided upon successful completion. The certificate can be verified through a QR-Code system.
Course Overview
Trenching remains one of the highest-risk activities in construction and utility work — a seemingly stable excavation can collapse in seconds, giving workers little to no time to escape. In infrastructure, utility, and construction projects across the Middle East, where soil conditions vary widely and excavation work often takes place alongside live utilities and active traffic, the ability to plan, protect, and operate trenching activities correctly is a critical operational and life-safety requirement.
This training course is designed to build practical competency in safe trenching operations for personnel responsible for excavation work and protective system installation. The course is aligned with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P: Excavations and ANSI/ASSE A10.12: Safety Requirements for Excavation, which establish the framework for soil classification, protective system selection, and safe excavation practice. Participants will learn to classify soil types, select and install appropriate protective systems, identify excavation hazards, and operate trenching equipment safely under supervision in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Key Learning Objectives
Explain the causes and risk factors associated with trench collapse and excavation-related incidents
Classify soil types in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P requirements
Select and apply appropriate protective systems including (sloping, benching, shoring, and trench boxes)
Identify excavation hazards including (underground utilities, water accumulation, and adjacent structure loading)
Operate trenching equipment safely under supervision including (excavators and trench boxes)
Apply atmospheric testing and access/egress requirements for trench work
Comply with regulatory documentation and competent person inspection requirements
Course Outline
1. Introduction to Trenching and Excavation Safety
Overview of trenching operations and their applications including (utility installation, foundation work, and pipeline laying)
Applicable international standards and regulatory requirements including (OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, ANSI/ASSE A10.12, and local excavation regulations)
Roles and responsibilities including (competent person, excavation operator, and site supervisor duties)
Overview of trenching incidents and their primary causes including (cave-ins, struck-by hazards, and falls into excavations)
2. Soil Classification and Ground Conditions
Soil classification categories including (Type A, Type B, and Type C soil characteristics)
Factors affecting soil stability including (moisture content, vibration, and previously disturbed soil)
Visual and manual soil testing methods including (thumb penetration test and plasticity assessment)
Identifying unstable ground conditions including (fissures, layered soil, and water seepage)
3. Protective Systems Selection and Installation
Sloping and benching requirements including (maximum allowable slope by soil type)
Shoring systems including (hydraulic shoring, timber shoring, and installation sequencing)
Trench boxes and shields including (selection criteria, placement, and movement procedures)
Determining when protective systems are required including (depth thresholds and exemption criteria)
4. Excavation Hazard Identification and Control
Identifying underground utility hazards including (locating services, marking, and hand-digging near utilities)
Water accumulation and control measures including (dewatering methods and water removal equipment)
Spoil pile placement and surcharge load management including (minimum distance requirements from trench edge)
Adjacent structure and load stability considerations including (foundation proximity and vibration monitoring)
5. Safe Trenching Operations
Pre-operation site setup and planning including (utility clearance verification, protective system installation, and access point planning)
Safe excavator operation near trenches including (stable positioning, load handling, and spotter coordination)
Access and egress requirements including (ladder placement, ramps, and maximum travel distance)
Atmospheric testing and monitoring including (oxygen levels, toxic gas detection, and ventilation needs)
6. Competent Person Inspections and Emergency Procedures
Daily and conditional inspection requirements including (before entry, after rainfall, and following any hazard-increasing event)
Recognizing warning signs of potential collapse including (cracking, bulging, and soil separation)
Emergency response procedures including (evacuation, rescue coordination, and civil defense notification)
Post-incident actions including (scene preservation, reporting, and investigation participation)
7. Group Discussion and Case Studies
Case studies from regional trenching incidents including (unshored trench collapses, struck-by incidents, and utility strikes) and lessons learned in prevention
Group discussion on common excavation safety failures including (inadequate protective systems, rushed inspections, and unmarked utilities)
Sharing regional best practices including (soil assessment in arid conditions and utility coordination procedures)
Discussion on integrating trenching safety within site HSE management systems
1. Introduction to Trenching and Excavation Safety
Overview of trenching operations and their applications including (utility installation, foundation work, and pipeline laying)
Applicable international standards and regulatory requirements including (OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, ANSI/ASSE A10.12, and local excavation regulations)
Roles and responsibilities including (competent person, excavation operator, and site supervisor duties)
Overview of trenching incidents and their primary causes including (cave-ins, struck-by hazards, and falls into excavations)
2. Soil Classification and Ground Conditions
Soil classification categories including (Type A, Type B, and Type C soil characteristics)
Factors affecting soil stability including (moisture content, vibration, and previously disturbed soil)
Visual and manual soil testing methods including (thumb penetration test and plasticity assessment)
Identifying unstable ground conditions including (fissures, layered soil, and water seepage)
3. Protective Systems Selection and Installation
Sloping and benching requirements including (maximum allowable slope by soil type)
Shoring systems including (hydraulic shoring, timber shoring, and installation sequencing)
Trench boxes and shields including (selection criteria, placement, and movement procedures)
Determining when protective systems are required including (depth thresholds and exemption criteria)
4. Excavation Hazard Identification and Control
Identifying underground utility hazards including (locating services, marking, and hand-digging near utilities)
Water accumulation and control measures including (dewatering methods and water removal equipment)
Spoil pile placement and surcharge load management including (minimum distance requirements from trench edge)
Adjacent structure and load stability considerations including (foundation proximity and vibration monitoring)
5. Safe Trenching Operations
Pre-operation site setup and planning including (utility clearance verification, protective system installation, and access point planning)
Safe excavator operation near trenches including (stable positioning, load handling, and spotter coordination)
Access and egress requirements including (ladder placement, ramps, and maximum travel distance)
Atmospheric testing and monitoring including (oxygen levels, toxic gas detection, and ventilation needs)
6. Competent Person Inspections and Emergency Procedures
Daily and conditional inspection requirements including (before entry, after rainfall, and following any hazard-increasing event)
Recognizing warning signs of potential collapse including (cracking, bulging, and soil separation)
Emergency response procedures including (evacuation, rescue coordination, and civil defense notification)
Post-incident actions including (scene preservation, reporting, and investigation participation)
7. Group Discussion and Case Studies
Case studies from regional trenching incidents including (unshored trench collapses, struck-by incidents, and utility strikes) and lessons learned in prevention
Group discussion on common excavation safety failures including (inadequate protective systems, rushed inspections, and unmarked utilities)
Sharing regional best practices including (soil assessment in arid conditions and utility coordination procedures)
Discussion on integrating trenching safety within site HSE management systems
Group Exercises
Team-based excavation planning exercise including (assessing a simulated site, classifying soil, and selecting an appropriate protective system)
Incident investigation group exercise including (reviewing a trench collapse scenario, identifying contributing causes, and producing a corrective action plan)
Gained Core Technical Skills
Ability to classify soil types and assess ground stability using visual and manual testing methods
Proficiency in selecting and verifying appropriate protective systems including sloping, shoring, and trench boxes
Competency in identifying excavation hazards including underground utilities, water accumulation, and surcharge loads
Skill in operating trenching equipment safely under supervision across varied site conditions
Ability to conduct competent person inspections and recognize warning signs of potential collapse
Understanding of access, egress, and atmospheric monitoring requirements for trench work
Services Geographical Coverage
In Tamkene Training Center or at our client's facility (On-Site), Covering All Saudi Arabia Cities and Locations:
Targeted Audience
Excavator operators and trenching crew members involved in excavation work
Competent persons and site supervisors responsible for excavation safety oversight
HSE officers and safety supervisors overseeing trenching and excavation programs
Utility and pipeline installation personnel working in and around trenches
Any personnel required to obtain formal authorization to operate trenching equipment on site
Practical Assessment
Supervised soil classification exercise including (conducting a visual and manual soil assessment)
Protective system inspection exercise including (verifying correct shoring or trench box installation)
Trenching equipment operation practical under supervision including (excavator positioning, safe digging technique, and spotter coordination)
Knowledge Assessment
Multiple-choice questions on soil classification, protective systems, and applicable standards including (OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P requirements)
Scenario-based questions on selecting appropriate protective systems for given soil and depth conditions
Hazard identification questions including (utility strikes, water accumulation, and spoil pile placement)
Emergency procedure questions including (evacuation triggers, warning sign recognition, and reporting obligations)
Why Choose This Course
Aligned with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P and ANSI/ASSE A10.12 for internationally credible trenching safety competency
Delivers a complete learning journey from soil classification and protective systems through to safe operation and emergency response
Applies structured hazard identification to real-world trenching scenarios, developing proactive risk management skills
Structured practical exercises conducted under supervision build genuine operational confidence and technical judgment
Incorporates regional case studies addressing soil and site conditions common across Middle East construction and utility projects
Note: This course outline, including specific topics, modules, and duration, can be customized based on the specific needs and requirements of the client.
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The training I received from Tamkene was truly exceptional.
Dalal AlSaeed
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Choosing Tamkene for our professional development was a game-changer.
Wafi AlZayer
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Tamkene delivered quality training with a strong focus on standards. The organization and delivery exceeded our expectations.
Saad AlMisehal
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