Excavation and Trenching Safety
A cubic metre of soil weighs more than a tonne and gives no warning before it moves, which is why trench collapse kills experienced people in shallow excavations. This course covers working below ground safely.
Course outline
What this programme covers, module by module.
- 01A tonne of soil that gives no warning
- 02Ground conditions, soil types and what makes a face fail
- 03Battering, benching, shoring and trench boxes
- 04Buried services: locating, proving and protecting
- 05Access, edge protection, spoil placement and plant proximity
- 06Water ingress, atmosphere and when a trench becomes confined
- 07Inspection regimes, records and the authority to stop work
What you will gain
- Assess ground conditions and what they mean for support
- Select shoring, battering or benching appropriately
- Locate and protect buried services before breaking ground
- Control access, edges and spoil placement
- Manage water, atmosphere and confined conditions
- Inspect an excavation and know when to stop work
Who should attend
- Construction supervisors and site managers
- Civil engineering and utilities staff
- Safety practitioners on construction sites
- Plant operators working near excavations
Upcoming sessions
| Date | City | Duration | Fees | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 to 10 Nov 2026 | Durban | 2 Days | R10,000 | |
| 23 to 24 Nov 2026 | Cape Town | 2 Days | R10,000 | |
| 11 to 12 Jan 2027 | Johannesburg | 2 Days | R10,000 | |
| 1 to 2 Mar 2027 | Dubai | 2 Days | US$1,100 | |
| 10 to 11 May 2027 | Pretoria | 2 Days | R10,000 | |
| 12 to 13 Jul 2027 | Durban | 2 Days | R10,000 |
Fees are per delegate and exclude VAT. Public intakes are confirmed once minimum numbers are met. We also deliver this course on your own schedule, in-house or live online.
Enquire about this course
Register your team or ask for a tailored in-house quote. We reply within one working day.
WhatsApp usCourse brochure (PDF)- Fees from
- R10,000 per delegate
- Duration
- 2 Days
- Field
- Health, Safety & Environment
- Formats
- In-house, public, online
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