Ground Disturbance BC - Level I
An introduction to safe digging in British Columbia, from requesting a locate to hand-exposing buried facilities and responding to a strike.
Course Overview
1hAfter completing this course you'll understand:
- Explain what a ground disturbance is and which activities count in British Columbia
- Identify the organizations and legislation that govern digging in BC, including WorkSafeBC and Technical Safety BC
- Describe worker responsibilities under the Workers Compensation Act and applicable codes of practice
- Complete the notification process and request a locate before starting work
- Interpret locate marks and the uniform colour code, and keep marks protected and refreshed
- Apply hand-exposure techniques within the hand-expose zone around a buried facility
- Follow safe excavation and backfilling practices around exposed facilities
- Respond correctly to a gas line strike or electrical and fibre contact, including reporting requirements
About this course
Beginner Ground Disturbance Level 1 training for British Columbia, covering locates, colour codes, hand exposure, safe digging and line strikes.
Ground Disturbance (BC) - Level I is an introductory course for workers who dig, excavate or otherwise disturb the ground in British Columbia. It explains what counts as a ground disturbance, who regulates digging in the province, how to request and interpret a locate, and how to expose and work around buried facilities safely. The course also covers what to do if a gas, electrical or fibre facility is contacted, including reporting and investigation steps. It closes with a summary and a final exam based on the material presented.
What you'll learn
Ground Disturbance (BC) - Level I
1 lesson · 60 min- Ground Disturbance (BC) - Level I
What you'll get
97 slides across six teaching sections
Structured content covering damage prevention, planning, preparation, execution and completion, plus a summary.
British Columbia focus
Content references BC regulators, legislation and notification processes rather than generic national material.
Final exam
A scored end-of-course exam drawn from the material presented in the slides.
Certificate of completion
A certificate is issued once you finish the course and pass the final exam.
Self-paced online access
Work through the sections in your own time and return to any topic before the exam.
Why choose us
The course is built around British Columbia's own rules and notification process, so the steps you learn match the ones you will follow on site. Each section moves from the reason for a requirement to the practical task, ending with a final exam that checks your understanding.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is this course for?
Workers who perform ground disturbance activities in British Columbia, such as excavation, trenching, hydrovac work and other digging tasks, along with anyone who needs an introduction to buried-facility damage prevention in the province.
What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2?
The course includes a dedicated slide comparing the two. Level 1 is aimed at workers who carry out ground disturbance work, while Level 2 addresses the broader planning and supervisory responsibilities associated with the activity.
Is any prior experience required?
No. The course is written at a beginner level and starts from the basics, including what a ground disturbance is and which activities count.
Is this course specific to British Columbia?
Yes. It refers to BC legislation and organizations, including the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, the Workers Compensation Act, the Gas Safety Regulation, Technical Safety BC and BC 1 Call.
How is the course assessed?
There is a final exam at the end covering the material from the damage prevention, planning, preparation and execution sections.
How long does it take?
The course has 97 slides and most learners finish in about two hours, depending on reading speed and time spent on the final exam.
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