The Digging Awareness course provides essential training for workers involved in ground disturbance and excavation activities. Developed with guidance from multiple industries, this program introduces learners to the PROPPER Phases of Safe Digging and the key legislation, procedures, and safety requirements needed to complete excavation work safely. The training emphasizes hazard recognition, planning, communication, and the steps required to prevent damage to buried facilities.

Learners review the stages of the excavation process, from initial planning and notification to exposing buried facilities, performing the dig, and restoring the site. The course also highlights the responsibilities of all parties involved in ground disturbance, along with best practices to reduce the risk of incidents and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

This course is designed for supervisors, ground disturbers, excavators, project managers, and workers involved in any ground disturbance or excavation activity. It provides foundational knowledge suitable for new workers as well as experienced personnel looking to refresh their understanding of safe digging practices.

Excavation work presents significant risks—ranging from utility strikes to worker injuries. Understanding how to plan a dig, locate buried facilities, follow notification procedures, and apply safe digging techniques is essential to preventing incidents. This course equips learners with the knowledge needed to perform excavation tasks responsibly and safely.

Module 1 – Introduction to Digging Awareness

• Understand the purpose and importance of safe excavation practices

Module 2 – Damage Prevention: Why It Is Important

• Review the impacts of facility strikes and why prevention is critical

Module 3 – Ground Disturbance & Excavation

• Learn types of excavation activities and related hazards

Module 4 – Facilities, Damage and Stakeholders

• Review buried facility types and stakeholder responsibilities

Module 5 – Requirements Prior to Ground Disturbance

• Explore legal requirements, permits, and pre-excavation planning

Module 6 – The Notification Process

• Understand when and how to contact local one-call or locate services

Module 7 – Locating and Identifying Buried Facilities

• Learn how locate markings work and how to interpret them correctly

Module 8 – Hand Exposure and Hand Expose Zones

• Review safe hand-exposure methods and zone requirements

Module 9 – Ground Disturbance Safety Procedures

• Explore safe digging techniques and hazard controls during excavation

Module 10 – Plan, Review and Organize

• Learn how to review locate information and organize work safely

Module 11 – Perform Locates and Pre-Excavate

• Understand steps for verifying locates and preparing the site

Module 12 – Excavate and Restore

• Review excavation procedures and site restoration practices

Module 13 – Incidents and Damage Prevention Procedures

• Learn how to respond to incidents and how to prevent recurrence

This online Digging Awareness course takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Learners may start, pause, and resume training at their convenience.

A minimum score of 80% is required to receive a certificate of completion. Participants may repeat the course as many times as needed to achieve a passing grade. Knowledge checks throughout the program reinforce learning.

Upon successful completion, learners can download and print a digital certificate. The certificate is valid for 3 years from the completion date.