United Rentals this week announced that its excavation safety training courses are now available online to help contractors to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements. The online curriculum has been developed by instructors with trench site experience, and mirrors the classroom training the company provides at each of its trench safety locations nationwide.

Excavation Safety Training for Competent Persons addresses OSHA 1926 subpart P, including proper soil test procedures, types of protective systems, and guidance on how to take control of hazardous conditions. Confined Space Training addresses OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, including safety procedures, hazards, and the duties of confined space entrants, attendants and supervisors. When successfully completed, both courses provide written documentation that satisfies U.S. federal requirements.

"As the leading provider of trench safety services in North America, we want to help our customers comply with health and safety legislation in the best practicable ways,” said Paul McDonnell, senior vice president - operations, trench safety, power and HVAC. “Online access extends the benefit of classroom training to contractors who find it easier to train on their own schedule. Since the launch of our national trench safety training program in 2006, our instructors have trained more than 60,000 workers face-to-face. We expect that number to accelerate dramatically with online convenience.”

United Rentals' trench safety training is part of a broader curriculum that includes safety and fall protection, site-specific regulatory compliance, and operator certifications for equipment such as aerial lifts, loaders, backhoes, forklifts and cranes. To access trench safety training programs online, visit www.ur.com/trench-safety.

Greenwich, Conn.-based United Rentals is No. 1 on the RER 100.