Ground Disturbance 201 – Online Course

When registering for our online courses you will be taken to our online registration site bistrainer.com. All registration links will open in a new window.

This course is endorsed by Utility Safety Partners (USP), formerly the Alberta Common Ground Alliance
(ABCGA). Click here to view the January 25, 2022 endorsement certificate.

This online course is designed for planners, managers, supervisors, and employees who are required to develop, plan, or undertake any kind of ground disturbance.

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • Explain the importance of the damage prevention process
  • Outline ground disturbance stakeholder responsibilities
  • Identify and define ground disturbance
  • Describe hazards associated with ground disturbance
  • Identify approvals and permits that may be required
  • Explain how to search for, locate, and identify buried facilities
  • Describe methods for exposing buried facilities
  • Outline the procedures to follow if damage is caused or found

This Ground Disturbance 201 course contains the same course content and examination criteria as a classroom delivered course that has been endorsed to the Utility Safety Partners (USP) Ground Disturbance 201 Standard. Virtual proctoring is available on purchase.

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Course Topics:

Module A: Damage Prevention

  1. The importance of damage prevention
  2. Buried facility damage and its consequences
  3. Responsibilities of stakeholders involved in damage prevention and ground disturbance
  4. Damage prevention regulators, organizations, and publications
  5. The need for damage prevention and ground disturbance training

Module B: Ground Disturbance Planning

  1. The definition of ground disturbance
  2. The importance of codes of practice
  3. The importance of, and requirements for, hazard assessments and emergency response plans
  4. Various approvals required for ground disturbance
  5. Various agreements related to ground disturbance
  6. Onsite supervision responsibilities for all parties involved in a ground disturbance

Module C: Preparing for a Ground Disturbance

  1. The requirements for conducting a search for buried facilities
  2. The notification process and the requirements of those involved
  3. The responsibilities and requirements for requesting locates and locating buried facilities
  4. Different types of locate marks and outline marking requirements

Module D: The Execution and Completion of a Ground Disturbance

  1. How to use a ground disturbance permit
  2. The purpose of a pre-job meeting
  3. Tailgate meetings and how to conduct them
  4. Hand expose zones and hand exposure techniques
  5. Proper excavation and backfilling procedures
  6. Damage management, incident reporting, and investigation requirements

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