The Digging Awareness course provides essential training for anyone involved in ground disturbance or excavation activities.
Developed with input from multiple industries, this program introduces the hazards, regulations, and safe work practices required
to perform excavation tasks safely. Learners explore the PROPPER Phases of Safe Digging and review the legislation, planning steps,
and procedures necessary to prevent incidents and protect underground infrastructure.

The course highlights why digging awareness is critical, the responsibilities involved in ground disturbance work, and how to
identify buried facilities before breaking ground. Participants also gain an understanding of how to prepare a site, coordinate
with stakeholders, interpret locate information, and follow safe excavation practices from start to finish.

This training is designed for supervisors, ground disturbers, excavators, project managers, laborers, and anyone working in the
ground disturbance or excavation industry. It provides a foundational understanding suitable for both new and experienced workers.

Ground disturbance and excavation activities present significant safety risks, from damaging underground facilities to causing
worker injuries. Understanding safe digging phases, planning requirements, and location procedures helps prevent costly and
dangerous incidents. This course equips learners with the knowledge needed to operate safely and responsibly around buried utilities.

Module 1 – Introduction to Digging Awareness
• Review the purpose and importance of safe digging principles
• Understand key terminology and regulatory context

Module 2 – Damage Prevention: Why It Is Important
• Learn why preventing damage is critical for safety and infrastructure protection
• Understand the financial and operational impacts of excavation errors

Module 3 – Ground Disturbance & Excavation
• Explore types of excavation activities and associated risks
• Learn how to identify and manage common hazards

Module 4 – Facilities, Damage and Stakeholders
• Review buried facility types and potential consequences of damage
• Understand stakeholder roles and responsibilities

Module 5 – Requirements Prior to Ground Disturbance
• Learn key steps before breaking ground, including permits and documentation
• Understand legal and procedural requirements

Module 6 – The Notification Process
• Review how and when to notify local authorities or locate services
• Understand communication protocols and required information

Module 7 – Locating and Identifying Buried Facilities
• Learn how locate markings work and how to interpret them
• Review methods for identifying underground infrastructure

Module 8 – Hand Exposure and Hand Expose Zones
• Understand when and how hand exposure is required
• Learn safe digging practices in sensitive zones

Module 9 – Ground Disturbance Safety Procedures
• Explore safe work practices to reduce excavation risks
• Learn emergency considerations and hazard controls

Module 10 – Plan, Review and Organize
• Review planning requirements to ensure a safe excavation
• Understand how to organize workflows and responsibilities

Module 11 – Perform Locates and Pre-Excavate
• Learn pre-excavation inspection steps and locate confirmation
• Review how to validate markings and site conditions

Module 12 – Excavate and Restore
• Understand safe excavation techniques and restoration expectations
• Learn how to document work and restore sites appropriately

Module 13 – Incidents and Damage Prevention Procedures
• Explore how to respond to incidents and near misses
• Review strategies for preventing future occurrences

This online Digging Awareness course takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Learners may start, pause, and resume the 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. Short quizzes throughout the training reinforce key learning points.

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