Our Excavation Safety Courses

Groundforce Training Services is the countries market leader for high quality Energy & Utilities Skills Register (EUSR) Categories 1 through 5 qualifications + Endorsed Training Programmes (ETP’s). Most courses in this area are both theoretical and practical in nature. Our aim is to ensure candidates are able to come away from the instruction with a) an industry recognised qualification, b) the knowledge to apply the learning straight away within the workplace.

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EUSR Appreciation of Excavation Safety

EUSR Appreciation of Excavation Safety

Classroom based appreciation course introduces the delegate to the reasons to why excavations should be supported, current legislation surrounding excavations, and types of proprietary shoring equipment.

EUSR Category 1 Locate Utility Services

EUSR Category 1 Locate Utility Services

Cat & Genny cable avoidance course. Our EUSR accredited is a comprehensive training package covering what a safe system of work for avoiding underground services must take into account.

EUSR Category 2

EUSR Category 2

Implement Safe (Digging) Excavating Practices. This one day course covers training and assessment required for those working to safely excavate and maintain holes and trenches using both hand tools and hand held power tools.

EUSR Categories 1&2

EUSR Categories 1&2

EUSR Categories 1&2 combined training safety course includes both theoretical and practical assessments. This training increases the knowledge required to safely detect buried utility services as well as increasing the knowledge required for those working to safely excavate and maintain holes and trenches using both hand tools and hand held power tools.

EUSR Category 3

EUSR Category 3

Install, Inspect and Remove Timber Shoring Systems. This course introduces the delegate to the theoretical and practical sides of excavation safety, specifically focusing on the use of timber.

EUSR Categories 3, 4 & 5

EUSR Categories 3, 4 & 5

Install, Inspect & Remove Timber, Steel and Proprietary Shoring Systems. This course introduces the delegate to the theoretical and practical sides of excavation safety, specifically focusing on the use of timber and proprietary shoring systems.

EUSR Categories 3, 4 & 5 *Refresher*

EUSR Categories 3, 4 & 5 *Refresher*

EUSR Categories 3, 4 & 5 - Install, Inspect & Remove Timber, Steel and Proprietary Excavation Support Systems *Refresher*

EUSR Category 4

EUSR Category 4

Install, Inspect and Remove Steel Shoring Systems. This course introduces the delegate to the theoretical and practical sides of excavation safety and the use of Steel Shoring Equipment.

EUSR Category 5

EUSR Category 5

Install, Inspect and Remove Proprietary Shoring Systems. This course introduces the delegate to the theoretical and practical sides of excavation safety.

EUSR Categories 4 & 5

EUSR Categories 4 & 5

Install, Inspect & Remove Steel and Proprietary Excavation Support Systems. This safety course introduces the learner to the theoretical and practical dangers of excavation work. Examples of areas covered are but not limited to the HSE's HSG150, HSG 47 guidance

EUSR 4 & 5 - Plus Excavation Rescue

EUSR 4 & 5 - Plus Excavation Rescue

This safety course introduces the learner to the theoretical and practical dangers of excavation work. Examples of areas covered are, but not limited to, HSE’s HSG150 and HSG47 guidance:

EUSR Excavation Rescue

EUSR Excavation Rescue

This safety course introduces the learner to the theoretical and practical side of rescue from open excavations. The course has been designed to cover current legislation and guidance including the HSE’s L101 and the use of davit arm systems along with stretchers and harnesses.

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FAQs

Which EUSR excavation course do I need?

The right course will depend on your role and what you do on site:




  • Site supervisors and office-based personnel: EUSR Appreciation of Excavation Safety provides an overview of excavation safety, regulations and trench support methods.

  • Groundworkers and excavation teams: EUSR Categories 1 & 2 suit those involved in locating underground services and carrying out excavation work.

  • Shoring and structural support teams: Categories 3, 4 or 5 cover different types of trench support, depending on the equipment and shoring methods used.

  • Emergency and rescue teams: EUSR Excavation Rescue training is designed for those responsible for safely rescuing workers from collapsed or unstable excavations.


What is the difference between EUSR Categories 1 and 2?

Category 1 focuses on locating underground services and using equipment such as CAT and Genny to identify buried utilities and work safely around them.

Category 2 focuses on safe digging and excavation techniques, including hand tools and power-assisted equipment.


What is the difference between EUSR Categories 3, 4 and 5?

Categories 3, 4 and 5 focus on different types of trench support and shoring:




  • Category 3: Covers traditional timber shoring.

  • Category 4: Covers steel shoring systems.

  • Category 5: Covers proprietary shoring equipment, such as trench boxes and hydraulic bracing systems.


Can EUSR Categories 1 and 2 be completed together?

Yes. EUSR Categories 1 and 2 can be completed together, allowing delegates to cover underground utility detection and safe excavation practices in the same training programme.


Do I need EUSR Category 1 before Category 2?

Category 1 and Category 2 are often completed together, depending on the role or project requirements. Category 1 covers locating underground services, which is an important part of working safely before and during excavation.


What excavation training do I need to work safely around underground services?

If your role involves working around underground services, EUSR Category 1 training helps you identify and locate buried utilities. The course covers using service drawings and detection equipment to reduce the risk of utility strikes.


Who needs EUSR excavation training?

EUSR excavation training is suitable for people working in construction, civil engineering and utilities who are involved in, or responsible for, excavation and groundworks.

This can include groundworkers, site operatives, supervisors, managers and other personnel responsible for excavation activities.


What does EUSR excavation training cover?

The content will depend on the course or category you choose, but EUSR excavation training can cover:




  • Excavation health and safety requirements, including relevant HSE guidance.

  • Identifying excavation hazards and working safely around underground services.

  • Safe manual and mechanical digging techniques.

  • Installing, inspecting, and removing trench support systems.

  • Emergency rescue procedures and the use of relevant safety equipment.


How long does EUSR excavation training take?

Training length depends on the course and category. Some EUSR excavation courses can be completed in one day, while courses covering multiple categories or specialist rescue training may take longer.


Do EUSR excavation courses include practical training?

Yes. EUSR excavation courses may include a mix of classroom learning and practical exercises. Depending on the course, this can include using underground service detection equipment or installing and working with trench support systems.


What is the difference between excavation safety awareness and EUSR Category 2?

Excavation Safety Awareness provides a general understanding of excavation safety, including the risks of excavation work, legal responsibilities and the dangers associated with trench collapse.

EUSR Category 2 is more practical and focuses on the skills required to safely carry out excavation and digging activities using hand tools and power-assisted equipment.