Tech Forum – CGA Offers Free English & Spanish Online Excavator Education Curriculum

The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is expanding access to critical safety education with the launch of its enhanced Excavator Education Curriculum, now available free of charge to all industry professionals through the organization’s new learning management system.

As a member-driven association representing nearly 4,000 damage prevention professionals across every sector of the underground utility industry, CGA has served as North America’s leading authority on damage prevention since its establishment in 2000. Our organization’s mission centers on saving lives and preventing damage to underground infrastructure by promoting effective safety practices and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

Free Excavator Education for All Industry Professionals

Our new comprehensive digital curriculum addresses a critical industry need by equipping excavators with essential knowledge for working safely around underground utilities. Recognizing that effective damage prevention requires industry-wide participation, CGA has made the training modules accessible to everyone — membership is not required.

This commitment to open access reflects CGA’s broader mission of making critical safety information available throughout the industry. By removing barriers to education, we aim to significantly reduce underground utility damages and enhance overall safety standards.

CGA’s free online damage prevention curriculum addresses a crucial need in the damage prevention community by offering standardized, high-quality training to excavators in English and Spanish regardless of their location or organizational affiliation. The short self-paced format allows professionals to fit training into their busy schedules.

The curriculum is designed to cover the entire damage prevention process. Each four- to seven-minute module focuses on a specific topic, allowing for targeted and efficient learning. Through our damage data, we’re able to create training content that targets specific behaviors and actions associated with the highest risk, such as hand digging best practices and excavating within the tolerance zone. Excavators can access these resources 24/7 from any internet-connected device, eliminating travel costs and time away from work associated with traditional training methods.

Members Can Integrate Curriculum into Existing Systems

CGA members managing their own Learning Management System (LMS) can host individual curriculum modules directly within their existing platforms.

This integration option serves organizations with established training programs who want to supplement their offerings with CGA’s specialized content. Members simply complete a request form, and CGA staff provides implementation guidance.

This arrangement allows organizations to maintain their centralized training environment while leveraging CGA’s damage prevention expertise.

Progressive Learning Path

Building on the momentum of modules released during the excavator curriculum’s initial launch in autumn 2024, the CGA will be building out additional curriculum this summer. Building on this approach, we’ve developed four interactive modules that address high-risk behaviors and actions identified through our damage data, such as hand digging best practices and excavating within the tolerance zone. These concise four- to seven-minute lessons collectively cover the full damage prevention process, with each one focused on a specific topic to support targeted and efficient learning.

The training curriculum follows a structured approach built around six key content areas:

• Introduction to Safe Digging
• The 811 Process
• 811 Troubleshooting
• Preparing for Excavation: Damage
• Prevention & Safety Precautions
• Facility Protection & Avoidance
• What to do When Damage Occurs

Continuously Evolving Content

The education platform regularly incorporates new modules based on emerging technologies and updates content to reflect the latest revisions to CGA Best Practices.

Data from the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report informs curriculum updates, ensuring the most pressing industry challenges are addressed. User feedback also drives improvements to the interactive elements.

The curriculum is designed to evolve with the industry. As new challenges emerge, CGA’s training resources will adapt accordingly.

Measuring Effectiveness

CGA’s platform includes analytics capabilities that track user engagement and knowledge retention. This data-driven approach enables continuous refinement of educational content.

Participating organizations can access reports on their employees’ progress, helping identify specific areas where additional training may be beneficial.

Industry-Wide Benefits

• The expanding online curriculum delivers numerous advantages:
• Free access regardless of CGA membership status
• Spanish language training for organizations without translators
• Consistent delivery of standardized best practices
• Continuous updates reflecting industry developments
• Integration options for existing training programs
• Immediate access to critical safety information

For more information about accessing CGA’s excavator education curriculum or implementing it within your organization’s LMS, visit education.commongroundalliance.com.

Erika Lee is executive vice president at the Common Ground Alliance.