GOLD SHOVEL

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.