Want to learn about ground disturbances? We can help. Over 1700 courses can be found on BIStrainer, one of which — our ground disturbance 201 — has received over 15,000 reviews. Ground disturbance courses are required for most digging activities.

What Ground Disturbance Do I Need?

Ground disturbance level 1 courses cover the labor side of digging, whereas ground disturbance level 2 covers the planning, supervisory, and regulatory side of digging. More on disturbance course types.

Ground Disturbance 101: Our Best Rated Level 1 Ground Disturbance Course

With a 4.7 out of 5 stars and USP (Utility Safety Partners) Certified, our most recent online ground disturbance course is highly acclaimed. Ground Disturbance 101 focuses on operator responsibilities and is meant for everyone who will be physically digging. There are also virtual proctoring options so you can guarantee your people have been paying attention. Upon passing, you will receive a printed certificate.

This course will examine and explain:

  1. damage prevention
  2. ground disturbance stakeholders
  3. potential ground disturbance hazards and their controls
  4. emergency response plans
  5. locating, and marking buried facilities
  6. hazards of hand exposure
  7. backfilling
  8. damage protocols

Ground Disturbance 101 Chapters:

Chapter 1: Damage Prevention

  • The importance of damage prevention
  • Buried facility damage and its consequences
  • Ground disturbance stakeholders
  • Worker training and competency

Chapter 2: Ground Disturbance Planning

  • The definition of ground disturbance
  • Codes of practice
  • Ground disturbance hazards and hazard assessments
  • Emergency response plans

Chapter 3: Preparing for a Ground Disturbance

  • The requirements for conducting a search
  • The notification process
  • Locating buried facilities
  • Marking buried facilities

Chapter 4: The Execution and Completion of a Ground Disturbance

  • Ground disturbance permits
  • Pre-job meetings and tailgate meetings
  • Hand exposure of buried facilities
  • Backfill requirements
Agricultural work concept with a copy space. Male and female feet in rubber shoes digging ground with shovels on the edges of a long strip of dug earth.

Ground Disturbance 201: Our Best Rated Level 2 Ground Disturbance Course

Anyone who plans, manages, or oversees a ground disturbance project should take the ground disturbance 201 online course. This course has over 15,000 reviews and maintains a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. The course incorporates content from in-person training and is supported by the Utility Safety Partners (USP).

If you complete this course successfully, you will be able to:

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

Ground disturbance 201 Modules:

Module A: Damage Prevention

  • The importance of damage prevention
  • Buried facility damage and its consequences
  • Responsibilities of stakeholders involved in damage prevention and ground disturbance
  • Damage prevention regulators, organizations, and publications
  • The need for damage prevention and ground disturbance training

Module B: Ground Disturbance Planning

  • The definition of ground disturbance
  • The importance of codes of practice
  • The importance of, and requirements for, hazard assessments and emergency response plans
  • Various approvals required for ground disturbance
  • Various agreements related to ground disturbance
  • Onsite supervision responsibilities for all parties involved in a ground disturbance

Module C: Preparing for a Ground Disturbance

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

Module D: The Execution and Completion of a Ground Disturbance

  • How to use a ground disturbance permit
  • The purpose of a pre-job meeting
  • Tailgate meetings and how to conduct them
  • Hand expose zones and hand exposure techniques
  • Proper excavation and backfilling procedures
Engineers are working on road construction. engineer holdingradio communication at road construction site with roller compactor working dust road on during sunset

What Ground Disturbance Do I Need? Continued

Ground disturbance courses are often divided into two separate types, a course for anyone physically digging (ground disturbance level 1) or a course for planning and leadership (ground disturbance level 2). If you are doing your own digging in a private subdivision, you should take both courses to avoid causing damage and being held liable for costly damages.

Ground Disturbance Level 1

A complete ground disturbance level 1 course should cover the labor side of digging and include lessons on:

  • damage prevention
  • hazards
  • controls
  • emergency plans
  • locating buried facilities
  • marking buried facilities
  • backfilling
  • accidental damage plans

Ground Disturbance Level 2

Both the regulatory and planning requirements for digging are usually covered in level 2 ground disturbance courses. For example, the following topics are covered in our ground disturbance 201 online course:

  • the importance of damage prevention
  • planning
  • preparing
  • execution