Ground Disturbance Safety Training:

Ground disturbance is a prevalent activity in various industries, such as construction, pipeline installation, and excavation. However, it can pose significant hazards to both workers and the environment if not conducted safely and responsibly. Ground disturbance and damage prevention safety is a critical component in ensuring the safety of workers and the general public in Canada. Given the reliance of numerous industries on excavation, digging, and drilling, it is imperative to prioritize ground disturbance and damage prevention safety training to prevent accidents and minimize damage to underground infrastructure.

GROUND DISTURBANCE AND DAMAGE PREVENTION DEFINITION

What is ground disturbance and damage prevention?

Ground disturbance refers to any human activity that alters the land's surface, including excavation, drilling, trenching, and blasting. Damage prevention safety, on the other hand, refers to the measures taken to ensure the safety of workers and the public and protect underground infrastructure during ground disturbance activities.

Which are the main safety practices?

The main practices of Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention Safety involve a range of activities and procedures that are designed to prevent damage to underground infrastructure, as well as to protect workers and the public from potential hazards. Here are some of the key practices involved in Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention Safety:

• Pre-planning and site assessment: Before any excavation or ground disturbance work takes place, it is important to plan the work and assess the site to identify any potential hazards or risks. This includes obtaining and reviewing relevant documentation, such as utility maps and permits, as well as conducting a physical inspection of the site.

• Marking and locating utilities: Underground utilities, such as gas, water, and telecommunications lines, must be accurately located and marked before excavation work begins. This is typically done using specialized equipment and processes, such as electromagnetic locators and ground-penetrating radar.

• Excavation and digging techniques: To minimize the risk of damage to underground infrastructure, excavation work should be done using appropriate techniques and equipment, such as hand digging or vacuum excavation. Workers should also be trained in safe excavation practices, such as avoiding over-digging and backfilling properly.

• Communication and coordination: Effective communication and coordination among all stakeholders involved in the project, including contractors, utility companies, and regulators, is essential for ensuring that everyone is aware of potential hazards and is working together to prevent damage.

• Post-excavation inspection and reporting: After excavation work is completed, a final inspection should be conducted to ensure that all underground infrastructure has been properly protected. Any damage or incidents should be reported to the appropriate authorities and documented for future reference.

What are possible hazards?

There are several hazards associated with Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention Safety. It is important to identify these hazards and take appropriate measures to prevent accidents and injuries. Here are some possible hazards and their descriptions:

• Striking underground utilities: When digging or excavating, workers may accidentally strike underground utilities such as gas, water, electricity or telecommunications lines. This can lead to gas leaks, electrical shocks, water damage, and communication disruptions.

• Soil collapse: Excavation can destabilize the soil and cause it to collapse, leading to cave-ins, suffocation, or buried workers.

• Heavy equipment accidents: Workers using heavy equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers or excavators may be injured if they are not properly trained, or if the equipment is not properly maintained. This can lead to rollovers, collisions, and other types of accidents.

• Falls and slips: Workers may be at risk of falls and slips when working in or around excavations, trenches or other ground disturbances. This can be caused by unstable ground, debris or equipment, or poor lighting.

• Chemical exposure: Workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals when excavating contaminated soil or working in close proximity to chemicals stored underground. This can lead to respiratory problems, burns, and other health issues.

• Wildlife encounters: Workers may encounter wildlife such as snakes, insects or rodents when working in rural areas. This can lead to bites, stings, or other injuries.

GROUND DISTURBANCE AND DAMAGE PREVENTION LEGISLATION

What is federal legislation?

The federal legislation governing ground disturbance and damage prevention safety in Canada is the Canada Labour Code (Source: Government of Canada, Canada Labour Code, Part II: Occupational Health and Safety, URL: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-2/page-1.html). This code outlines the responsibilities of employers and employees regarding workplace safety and health, including ground disturbance activities.

Other noteworthy laws include the Pipeline Safety Act (Source: Government of Canada, Pipeline Safety Act, URL: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/annualstatutes/2015_21/page-1.html). The Pipeline Safety Act is a Canadian federal law that was enacted in 2015 to improve the safety and security of pipelines that operate within Canada's borders. The law aims to protect the environment, the public, and workers by strengthening regulations related to pipeline safety and emergency management.

The Canadian Energy Regulator Act (Source: Government of Canada, Canadian Energy Regulator Act, URL: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-15.1) is a federal regulatory agency responsible for overseeing the safety and security of pipelines that operate within Canada's borders. One of the key areas that the regulator focuses on is ground disturbance, which refers to any activity that disturbs the ground, including digging, excavating, or drilling. Ground disturbance can pose a risk to pipeline safety and integrity, as it can damage or disrupt pipelines that are located underground.

What is provincial and territorial legislation?

Each province and territory in Canada has its own legislation governing ground disturbance and damage prevention safety. For example, in Alberta, the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act outlines the requirements for ground disturbance activities (Source: Alberta Government, Occupational Health and Safety Act. URL: https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-act-regulation-code).

In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that employers take every reasonable precaution to protect workers from hazards, including those associated with ground disturbance activities (Ontario Ministry of Labour, Occupational Health and Safety Act, URL: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90o01).

GROUND DISTURBANCE AND DAMAGE PREVENTION SAFETY TRAINING

What is Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention Safety training?

Ground disturbance and damage prevention safety training is designed to provide workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform ground disturbance activities safely and effectively. This training covers topics such as identifying and locating underground infrastructure, implementing safety measures, and communicating with utility companies and other stakeholders.

Which are the main types of Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention training courses?

In summary, there are two main types of Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention training courses: one for workers and one for supervisors.

The worker-level training courses encompass various names such as Ground Disturbance Safety, Awareness, and Level 1. These courses are designed to provide workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out ground disturbance activities safely and effectively.

On the other hand, supervisor-level training courses, known as Level 2 courses or Ground Disturbance 201, are more advanced and specifically tailored to meet the requirements set forth by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z662, which is a standard for oil and gas pipeline systems. These courses focus on equipping supervisors with the additional knowledge and expertise needed to oversee and manage ground disturbance projects. Those training programs are approved by industry stakeholders, including pipeline companies and regulatory agencies, and are recognized as meeting the training requirements set out in the CSA Standard Z662.

It is important to note that the specific names and content of these training courses may vary depending on the training provider or organization offering them. However, the general distinction between worker-level and supervisor-level courses remains consistent.

Who is responsible for Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention Safety training?

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, it is the responsibility of the employer to provide ground disturbance training to their workers and to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their job safely. Employers are also responsible for complying with all relevant legislation and regulations regarding ground disturbance and damage prevention (Source: Justice Laws, Government of Canada, “Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)”. URL: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-86-304/index.html).

Who needs Ground Disturbance and Damage Prevention Safety training?

Ground disturbance and damage prevention safety training is necessary for any individual who works in an industry where ground disturbance occurs. This includes workers involved in construction, excavation, drilling, and other similar activities. The following industries and job roles are particularly in need of this type of training:

• Construction: Construction workers are frequently involved in excavation and ground disturbance activities. They need to be trained in the proper techniques for locating and avoiding underground utilities, as well as the use of safe excavation practices.
• Oil and gas: The oil and gas industry is heavily involved in ground disturbance activities, including drilling, pipeline construction, and other related work. Workers in this industry must be trained in the safe use of heavy machinery and equipment, as well as proper excavation techniques.
• Telecommunications: Telecommunications workers are often involved in the installation and maintenance of underground cables and other infrastructure. They need to be trained in the proper techniques for locating and avoiding underground utilities, as well as the use of safe excavation practices.
• Municipal and government services: Workers in municipal and government services, including water and sewer departments, parks and recreation departments, and public works, are often involved in excavation and ground disturbance activities. They need to be trained in the proper techniques for locating and avoiding underground utilities, as well as the use of safe excavation practices.
• Transportation: Workers in the transportation industry may be involved in ground disturbance activities during the construction or maintenance of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. They need to be trained in the safe use of heavy machinery and equipment, as well as proper excavation techniques.
• Agriculture: Workers in the agriculture industry may need to dig trenches or perform other excavation work in order to install irrigation systems or other infrastructure. They need to be trained in the proper techniques for locating and avoiding underground utilities, as well as the use of safe excavation practices.

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other industries or job roles that require ground disturbance and damage prevention safety training. Employers should assess the specific needs of their workforce and ensure that appropriate training is provided.

Can you do Ground Disturbance Safety training online?

This course requires only theoretical training and evaluation, making it suitable for both classroom and online formats. Online training adheres to the same standards as classroom training, ensuring that it is recognized and accepted. In fact, online training can be more convenient and efficient, as it eliminates the need for in-person attendance and allows for flexible scheduling.

Moreover, classroom trainings often have certain requirements imposed by the Ministry of Labour, such as a minimum duration of 8 hours, which may not always be necessary for the content being covered. Online training can be more efficient in this regard, as a well-designed 2-hour course can cover all the necessary material effectively.

Additionally, online training can be a more cost-effective option for employers compared to organizing in-person classroom sessions.

However, keep in mind that employers are responsible for selecting the appropriate level of training for their workplace, so it's essential to check with your employer to ensure they accept online training for this purpose.

Where can you purchase Ground Disturbance Safety online training?

In today’s fast-paced society, online courses have become the cheapest and most convenient solution to get your safety training done. There are many methods and providers of Ground Disturbance Safety training. With any training, it is essential to select a high-quality education provider and one that will provide the most value (best information retention in employees) for the time and money.

Ensuring your program materials are always up to date is also extremely important as the amount of health and safety regulations and enforcement is steadily increasing and constantly updating.

GROUND DISTURBANCE AND DAMAGE PREVENTION SAFETY CERTIFICATE

What do you need to learn?

To obtain a ground disturbance and damage prevention safety certificate, workers must complete an accredited training program that covers the following topics:

• Relevant legislation and regulations,
• Hazard identification and risk assessment,
• Pre-planning and site assessment,
• Marking and locating underground utilities,
• Excavation and digging techniques,
• Communication and coordination,
• Post-excavation inspection and reporting.

How long is certificate valid?

Employees involved in ground disturbance operations should complete this course every 3 years. Accidents in this sector can be debilitating or even fatal, which is why all employees need to remain up to date with the latest safety protocols.

How will I receive my training certificate with eSafetyFirst?

The certificate will be automatically available for printing once you complete the course and pass the quiz with a score of 80% or higher.

All our courses will come with a PDF certificate at the end of the program.

This PDF file will have two pages: a standard certificate and a wallet-size training record.

The employer should store certificates, while the employee should carry their wallet cards at all times during work.
Students who prefer to receive wallet cards in a physical format can request and purchase a physical wallet card from eSafetyFirst. This optional item is not included in the course price and will cost an additional $10 for printing and shipping.

If you do not have the time to make your laminated wallet card, you may find it rather convenient to order this card directly from us.

How can I find my certificate if I lost it?

In most cases, this question is addressed to us by individuals who took their training with a different company. As a private company, we can only store and access our customers’ data. Therefore, if you did your training with another company, you need to contact them to receive a copy of your certificate.

If you are a customer of eSafetyFirst.com, then all you have to do is to Login to your account, and you can, at any time, download a copy of the certificate you received from us.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, ground disturbance and damage prevention safety is essential to prevent accidents, protect underground infrastructure, and ensure the safety of workers and the public. By following best practices and completing the necessary training and certification, workers can safely conduct ground disturbance activities and minimize the risk of damage or injury. Employers have a responsibility to provide their workers with the necessary training and equipment to perform their jobs safely, and workers must also take responsibility for their own safety by following proper safety procedures and guidelines.