Gold Shovel Standard Training Module
Essential Training for Excavation Safety
Course Overview
The Gold Shovel Standard is a critical certification for any company involved in excavation. This 1.5-hour module, offered here in McAllen, Texas, is specifically designed to bring your team up to speed with the Gold Shovel Standard Program requirements.
This course provides crucial awareness-level safety information to reinforce workers' understanding of the hazards they may encounter during excavation work. It strengthens their knowledge of mitigation practices and shows them how to find and apply necessary legal documentation, including state-specific legislation regarding hand-digging and tolerance zones around underground utilities. This training is a key step in preventing dangerous and costly utility strikes.
Key Curriculum Components
The course curriculum is focused on the most critical aspects of excavation safety:
Training and Competency Requirements
Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Safe Work Practices and Procedures
Site & Equipment Inspections
Identifying and Locating Underground Utilities
Understanding and Respecting Tolerance Zones
Recognizing Hazardous Atmospheres
Preventing Cave-ins
Emergency Response Plans
Regulatory Foundation
This course is built on a solid foundation of federal standards and industry best practices, including:
29 CFR 1926 Subpart P (OSHA's Standard for Excavations)
29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER)
State 811 / Common Ground Alliance Websites and Best Practices
811 Excavation Safety Guide — The Tolerance Zone
Excavation legislation from all 50 states and D.C.
Certification & Verification
To earn certification, students must score at least 80% on the final exam. Upon successfully completing the course:
The student's record is updated in the Advanced Training Tracker to reflect their Gold Shovel Standard certification.
Their Digital ID card is instantly updated via the PEC Mobile App.
Training status can be verified 24/7 by employers online.
Course Details
Course Length: 1.5 Hours
Format: Available as Instructor-Led at our McAllen facility or as self-paced eLearning (Computer-Based Training).
Prerequisites: None
Hands-on Training: None
Refresher Training: Required Annually
Protect your workers, your equipment, and your reputation. Contact us today to schedule your Gold Shovel Standard training.