Spanish-Language Safety Training Program for Excavation Workers Offered for Free
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) recently launched a Spanish-language version of its free online excavator safety training and curriculum. The self-paced, online curriculum provides comprehensive training on safe digging practices, including how to use the 811 system to have underground utility lines marked before digging. Learners earn a certificate of completion in excavation safety.
The organization is supporting the launch with a new Spanish-language marketing campaign in United States markets including California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and New York.
According to the CGA’s most recent economic impact report, damage to underground utilities costs the U.S. economy an estimated $83.2 billion annually. The organization explains, “Direct repairs represent just 5.9% of that total, meaning for every dollar spent fixing a damaged line, nearly $16 more is lost to service disruptions, emergency response, community damage, injuries, and loss of life.” The CGA also pointed out that the percentage of Hispanic/Latino workers in the U.S. construction industry has doubled since 2000.
“Protecting our essential frontline workers is at the core of CGA’s mission,” said Common Ground Alliance president and CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle. “This program is about saving lives and heling you get home safely to your family after a long day on the job. By providing this critical safety training free of charge and in Spanish, we’re putting key resources into the hands of Hispanic/Latino excavation professionals to help protect themselves, their colleagues, and their communities.”
The CGA said the education program and awareness campaign are the result of a multi-year effort to make utility damage prevention awareness and education resources more accessible to all industry professionals.
