Ground Disturbance 101

Course Overview

This course is endorsed by Utility Safety Partners (USP), formerly the Alberta Common Ground Alliance (ABCGA). Click here to view the August 5, 2022 endorsement certificate.

This online Utility Safety Partners (USP) endorsed course is designed for operators, labourers, and employees who are required to have knowledge of ground disturbance best practices and who will not be responsible for planning or supervising ground disturbance projects. For supervisory level training, please search for “Ground Disturbance 201” in the field above.

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

• Explain the importance of damage prevention
• Identify key ground disturbance stakeholders
• Define ground disturbance
• Identify potential ground disturbance hazards and their controls
• Explain the importance of emergency response plans
• Outline the processes for notification, locating, and marking buried facilities
• Outline techniques and hazards of hand exposure
• Explain procedures for backfilling
• Explain what to do if damage occurs

This Ground Disturbance 101 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 101 Standard. Virtual proctoring is available on purchase.

Course Topics

Chapter 1: Damage Prevention

1. The importance of damage prevention
2. Buried facility damage and its consequences
3. Ground disturbance stakeholders
4. Worker training and competency