About the course
What this course covers.
Every excavation puts a worker, and often the public, between a machine and whatever is buried below. A struck gas line, power cable, or pipeline can kill, and the law holds the company that broke ground responsible for finding out what was there first. Ground Disturbance 201 is the course that gets a planner, a supervisor, or an operator to the standard the work demands before a shovel goes in.
The course follows the damage prevention process from start to finish: why it exists and who is accountable, how a ground disturbance is planned and permitted, how buried facilities are searched for and located, and how the dig itself is executed and closed out. It carries the same course content and examination criteria as the classroom Ground Disturbance 201 course endorsed to the Utility Safety Partners standard.
Companies use Ground Disturbance 201 to qualify the people who plan and supervise excavation work, to satisfy prime contractors and contractor pre-qualification platforms that require it, and to give a COR auditor a documented competency record. The course also carries Gold Seal Certification credits and, in some provinces, Water and Wastewater Operator continuing education units.
Pass mark 80%
Score the pass mark to earn the certificate.
Course outline
4 modules, start to finish
Each module ends with a short knowledge check before you move on.
Module A - Damage prevention
Why damage prevention matters, what happens when a buried facility is struck, the responsibilities of every stakeholder, and the regulators, organisations, and publications that govern the work.
Module B - Ground disturbance planning
What counts as a ground disturbance, why codes of practice matter, the hazard assessments and emergency response plans the work requires, and the approvals, agreements, and on-site supervision involved.
Module C - Preparing for a ground disturbance
Searching for buried facilities, the notification process and who is responsible for it, requesting and carrying out locates, and reading the different types of locate marks.
Module D - Execution and completion
Using a ground disturbance permit, running pre-job and tailgate meetings, hand-exposing buried facilities, proper excavation and backfilling, and damage management, reporting, and investigation.
Developed to meet Canadian and provincial standards
What every course includes
Printable and mailed certificates
Digital wallet and wall-sized certificates print the moment the course is passed.
Standards compliant
Built on Canadian federal and provincial legislation, safety standards, and industry best practice.
Self-paced
Unlimited access to the training material. Pause and resume the course any time.
Live student support
Real support is available seven days a week if a learner gets stuck.
Unlimited exam attempts
The exam can be retaken until the learner reaches a passing grade.
Record of training
Training records are stored securely for three years and pulled on demand from the account.
What learners say
Trusted by Canadian crews
This course checked all the boxes. It was thorough, aligned with current regulations, and gave me the confidence to oversee safe digging operations.
Michelle T.
HSE Lead
The flexibility to complete this training online was essential for our crew working across multiple provinces. It is comprehensive and the certification was accepted without issue.
Jasmin R.
Field Supervisor
We use this course company-wide for all our supervisors. It is reliable, detailed, and meets our clients' requirements. The certificate tracking makes renewals simple too.
Curtis R.
Safety Coordinator
Who it is for
Built for the people running the work
- Planners and managers who develop and scope ground disturbance work
- Supervisors responsible for a ground disturbance on site
- Equipment operators and labourers who carry out excavation
- Crews in construction, oil and gas, utilities, and municipal work
- Anyone a prime contractor or pre-qualification platform requires to hold Ground Disturbance 201
What you walk away with
Able to do the job, not just describe it
- Explain the damage prevention process and outline stakeholder responsibilities
- Identify and define a ground disturbance and the hazards it carries
- Identify the approvals and permits a ground disturbance may require
- Search for, request locates for, and identify buried facilities
- Hand-expose buried facilities and follow the procedures when damage is found
Pricing
One seat or the whole crew, priced fairly.
A single seat is $94.95 CAD. Buying one at a time, code ONTRACK10 takes 10 percent off at checkout. Training more than two or three people is cheaper through a free On-Track Safety corporate account, which also tracks every certificate and renewal date for you. Move the slider to see the difference.
- Free corporate account, no setup fee
- 20 percent off every course for the first three months
- Automatic certificate and expiry tracking for your whole team
Team pricing
What it costs to train your crew
Individual purchases
One seat at a time, list price
$474.75
Individually with code ONTRACK10
10% off, applied at checkout
$427.28
Through a free corporate account
20% off every course, first three months
$379.80
A corporate account saves you
$94.95
on 5 seats of Ground Disturbance 201
No setup fee. The account also tracks every certificate and expiry date for you.
Certificate and format
How the course runs
Your certificate
A mark of 80 percent on the final exam earns the certificate, and the exam can be taken up to three times. On completion the worker downloads and prints a certificate of completion valid for three years from the completion date. The course carries the same content and examination criteria as the classroom Ground Disturbance 201 course endorsed to the Utility Safety Partners standard, and it is eligible for two Gold Seal Certification credits from the Canadian Construction Association.
- Fully online and self-paced - about 6 hours of content across four modules
- Mobile-friendly - runs on a laptop, tablet, or phone
- Instant access as soon as the course is purchased
- Virtual proctoring available on purchase for employers who require it
- Eligible for Water and Wastewater Operator continuing education units in Alberta and Saskatchewan
Why it matters for compliance
Provincial occupational health and safety legislation and recognised codes of practice require that a ground disturbance is planned, that buried facilities are located before work starts, and that the people involved are trained and competent. Ground Disturbance 201 is endorsed by Utility Safety Partners and provides the documented competency record a COR auditor or a contractor pre-qualification platform looks for.
Training outside Alberta?
Ground Disturbance 201 is built on the Utility Safety Partners standard and is used across Canada. Crews working in British Columbia should take the British Columbia version of Ground Disturbance 201, which is endorsed for that province.
Common questions
Questions buyers ask
How much does the Ground Disturbance 201 course cost?
- The course is 94.95 CAD per seat. Use code ONTRACK10 at checkout for 10 percent off an individual purchase, or set up a free On-Track Safety corporate account for 20 percent off every course for the first three months when training a crew.
How long does the Ground Disturbance 201 course take?
- The course is about 6 hours of content across four modules and is fully self-paced, so it can be completed in one day or spread across several shorter sessions without losing your place.
Does the Ground Disturbance 201 certificate expire?
- Yes. The certificate of completion is valid for three years from the completion date shown on it, after which the course is retaken to stay current.
Is the online course the same as the classroom Ground Disturbance 201?
- Yes. The online course carries the same course content and examination criteria as the classroom Ground Disturbance 201 course endorsed to the Utility Safety Partners standard. It is widely accepted by prime contractors and pre-qualification platforms that require Ground Disturbance 201.
What is the difference between Ground Disturbance 101 and 201?
- Ground Disturbance 101 is an awareness-level course for workers who need a general understanding of ground disturbance. Ground Disturbance 201 is the planning and supervision course, built for the people who develop, plan, permit, and oversee the work, and it is the one most sites and prime contractors require.
Get your team trained, on the record.
Enrol one person now, or set up a free corporate account and train the whole crew at 20 percent off with every certificate tracked for you.