Free Excavation & Trenching Safety Videos — short, high-impact videos for toolbox talks, onboarding, and refresher training. Tip: Use these to reinforce your Competent Person inspections, spoil pile control, and protective systems (sloping/shoring/shielding).
Cave-in prevention Soil classification Competent person Protective systems

Excavation & Trenching Safety Videos

Trench collapses can happen suddenly and without warning. These free videos help workers and supervisors recognize high-risk conditions, understand protective systems, and reinforce safe work practices before anyone enters an excavation.

Best for Construction crews, underground utility work, supervisors, and Competent Persons responsible for trench safety.
Use in Toolbox talks, pre-task planning, daily trench briefings, and refresher training.
Worker stands near an excavation with a trench shield installed
Before entry: protect • inspect • communicate

Watch the Videos

Click any video to play in a fast pop-up (the page stays in place).
Excavation & Trenching Safety thumbnail Play
Excavation & Trenching Safety

A foundation video covering trench hazards and the essentials of cave-in prevention.

Basics Cave-ins Awareness
Ditch Witch® Trencher Safety & Operation thumbnail Play
Ditch Witch® Trencher Safety & Operation

Equipment-focused best practices for trenching operations—hazards, setup, and safe operation.

Equipment Work zone Operations
Incident Investigation: Worker Pulled Into Ground by Groundwater thumbnail Play
Incident Investigation: Worker Pulled Into Ground by Groundwater

A reconstruction highlighting how unstable ground and groundwater can create sudden, deadly conditions.

Groundwater Incident learning Unstable soil
5 Things You Should Know to Stay Safe in a Trench thumbnail Play
5 Things You Should Know to Stay Safe in a Trench

Quick, practical reminders that reinforce the “stop-and-check” habits before trench entry.

Quick tips Entry checks Toolbox talk
Excavations in Construction / Soil Classification thumbnail Play
Excavations in Construction / Soil Classification

Why soil type matters—understanding stability and how conditions affect protective system choices.

Soils Classification Planning
Excavation Inspection: Trench Cave In thumbnail Play
Excavation Inspection: Trench Cave In

A trench collapse case study—what went wrong and what inspections should catch before entry.

Inspection Cave-in Lessons learned
Excavations: A Guide to Safe Work Practices thumbnail Play
Excavations: A Guide to Safe Work Practices (Full-length)

Common excavation hazards and the procedures for preparing and working in trenches.

Procedures Hazards Protective systems
Excavation Death Trap: Not Today thumbnail Play
Excavation Death Trap: Not Today

A blunt warning about unprotected excavations—why “just for a minute” can be fatal.

Stop work Protection Entry decision
Curtis Zanussi: Injured Young Worker thumbnail Play
Curtis Zanussi: Injured Young Worker

A personal, emotional reminder of how life changes after a serious workplace injury.

Culture Real story Safety mindset
Violating Trench Safety Regulations – Potentially Fatal Mistake thumbnail Play
Violating Trench Safety Regulations – Potentially Fatal Mistake

A cautionary example that reinforces why protective systems and inspections must come first.

Compliance Protective systems Supervisor-ready
Complete program kit • OSHA 1926 Subpart P

Want the full Excavation & Trenching Safety Training Compliance Kit?

Use these free videos as quick refreshers—then step up to a complete, reusable training + documentation system for your crews.

  • Train and certify employees who work in trenches and excavations
  • Customize training materials to your business
  • Create an excavation & trenching safety program (includes forms & weekly meeting support)