Online Training

Ground Disturbance 201

This online Utility Safety Partners (USP), formerly the Alberta Common Ground Alliance (ABCGA), endorsed course is designed for planners, managers, supervisors, and employees who are required to develop, plan, or undertake any kind of ground disturbance.

Virtual proctoring is available on purchase.

Learn More

Course Overview

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 Utility Safety Partners (USP) endorsed 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.

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

Online Course Duration

Approximately 6 hours

Universally Compatible

This course was created using standards that will allow playback on most internet capable devices with standard web browsing capabilities, including Apple’s iPad and most other tablets including those with Android and Windows operating systems.

Pass mark

A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to pass this course. The final exam is able to be taken three times in efforts to achieve the pass mark.

Certification of Completion

Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing. The certificate is valid for 3 years from the course completion date indicated on the certificate.

Continuing Education Credits

This course is eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program in the following provinces:

  • Alberta CEU value: 0.6
  • Saskatchewan CEU Value: 0.5

Alberta legislation requires that specified water and wastewater facilities have certified operators. Therefore, the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program was developed to ensure proper operation and maintenance of water and wastewater facilities. For more information on the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program, click here.

Registration Fee: $94.95

Click Here to Register

Frequently asked questions about online training

For general questions about certifications, payments, etc. See our comprehensive FAQ page.

DISCLAIMER - Any user of the online courses provided by Safe + Sound First Aid Training Ltd. (the “Company”) found on the website staging-wp123859.wpdns.ca acknowledges and agrees that Safe + Sound disclaims all liability and legal responsibility howsoever caused for the information contained in or referenced in any of the online courses. The Company does not warrant that the information will be sufficient for the user’s purposes and takes no responsibility for the consequences of how the information is used by the user or any employee or affiliate of the user.