Excavator/Trackhoe Operator Safety Training
Mastering Safe and Compliant Excavation
Course Overview
Excavators and trackhoes are powerhouse machines, vital to the construction, pipeline, and oil and gas industries nationwide and across the Rio Grande Valley. This course provides essential operator training focused on the safety fundamentals, rules, and regulations that govern daily excavator operations.
Our program is designed for individuals who have a basic understanding of, or are actively involved in, operating an excavator. We delve deep into the manufacturer's operating procedures and, most importantly, the OSHA Excavation and Trenching Standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P) to ensure every operator can perform their duties safely and prevent catastrophic accidents like cave-ins.
Who Should Attend?
This program is designed for any person who operates an excavator/trackhoe. It is intended for operators who need to formalize their training and certification.
Prerequisites: Participants must be at least 18 years of age, have some prior experience working with or around an excavator, and have written approval from their employer.
Comprehensive Training Curriculum
Our curriculum provides a robust framework for safe and compliant operation:
Machine Inspection & Maintenance
How to properly perform daily pre-use inspection checks.
Understanding operator-level field maintenance procedures.
Safe Operation & Transport
Implementing the manufacturer's specific operator's manual for safe operation.
Correct procedures for safely loading and securing an excavator on a trailer for transport.
Mastering the OSHA Excavation Standard (29 CFR 1926.650-.652)
Soil Classification: Learn to identify different soil types (Stable Rock, Type A, B, and C) to determine the necessary protective systems.
Cave-In Prevention: Understand the operator's critical responsibility in ensuring proper sloping, benching, shoring, and shielding systems are used to protect workers in an excavation.
Trenching & Confined Spaces: Learn to identify when a trench deeper than 4 feet may be classified as a permit-required or non-permit-required confined space.
Certification Process
To earn certification, a student must successfully complete both stages of the evaluation:
Written Exam: Pass a comprehensive written test covering all course topics.
Practical Evaluation: Demonstrate safe operating skills on an excavator/trackhoe under the observation of a qualified instructor.
All training records are meticulously documented for employer verification, including the operator's name, employer, evaluation/training dates, and trainer information. Upon successful completion, students receive a certification card.
Refresher Training & Re-Evaluation
To maintain certification and ensure ongoing competency:
Annual Performance Evaluation: Each operator's performance must be evaluated at least once per year by a Qualified Person.
3-Year Full Refresher: Operators should attend a full refresher course every three years to stay current with any changes in OSHA standards.
Immediate retraining is also required if an operator is involved in an accident or near-miss, is observed operating unsafely, or if workplace conditions change.
Course Details
Course Length: 4-6 Hours
Instructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:10
Location: Serving McAllen, Texas, and the surrounding Rio Grande Valley.
Ensure your operators have the critical knowledge to prevent the number one killer on excavation jobs. Contact us today to schedule your Excavator Operator Training.