Online Training
Ground Disturbance 201
The Alberta Ground Disturbance 201 course, endorsed by Utility Safety Partners, taken online at your own pace. About 6 hours, 80% to pass, and a certificate valid for 3 years.
Who needs Ground Disturbance 201
Ground Disturbance 201 is for the people who plan, approve or supervise ground disturbance: planners, managers, supervisors, and employees who develop, plan or carry out the work. Utility Safety Partners (USP) describes its 201 standard as suitable for people who want to become ground disturbance supervisors.
Workers who take part in ground disturbance under supervision usually need Ground Disturbance 101 instead. If your employer or client names a level, take that one.
What you will learn
The course goes beyond hazard awareness into the planning side of the job.
- Approvals and agreements needed before work starts
- Searching for buried facilities and requesting locates
- Locate marks and outline marking requirements
- Using a ground disturbance permit
- Onsite supervision duties, including pre-job and tailgate meetings
- What to do if a buried facility is damaged
Endorsement, exam and certificate
This course is endorsed by Utility Safety Partners, the Alberta organization formed from Alberta One-Call, the Alberta Common Ground Alliance and the Joint Utility Safety Team. Its content and exam match a classroom course endorsed to the USP Ground Disturbance 201 Standard.
You need 80% on the final exam, and you get three attempts. Virtual proctoring is available when you buy. After you pass, you download and print your certificate. It is valid for 3 years from the completion date shown on it. For a module-by-module look at the content, read our Ground Disturbance 201 course overview.
Which Ground Disturbance course do you need?
201 standards are set by province. USP maintains separate 201 standards for Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba, so start with the province where you do most of your work.
- Ground Disturbance 201 (this course): the Alberta version, endorsed by USP. About 6 hours.
- Ground Disturbance 201 (BC): the British Columbia version, endorsed by the BC Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA). About 6 hours.
- Ground Disturbance 201 (AB) Add-on: about 45 minutes. Adds Alberta content for people who hold a valid BC 201 issued through Astec Safety Inc. Your Alberta certificate expires on the same date as your BC one.
- Ground Disturbance 201 (BC) Add-on: about 45 minutes. The reverse, for people with a valid Alberta 201 issued through Astec Safety Inc.
- Ground Disturbance 101: about 75 minutes. For operators, labourers and workers who won't plan or supervise the work.
About This Course
This course is endorsed by Utility Safety Partners (USP), formerly the Alberta Common Ground Alliance
(ABCGA). Click here to view the January 25, 2025 endorsement certificate.
This online Utility Safety Partners (USP) endorsed course is designed for planners, managers, supervisors, and employees who are required to develop, plan, or undertake any kind of ground disturbance.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Explain the importance of the damage prevention process
- Outline ground disturbance stakeholder responsibilities
- Identify and define ground disturbance
- Describe hazards associated with ground disturbance
- Identify approvals and permits that may be required
- Explain how to search for, locate, and identify buried facilities
- Describe methods for exposing buried facilities
- Outline the procedures to follow if damage is caused or found
This Ground Disturbance 201 course contains the same course content and examination criteria as a classroom delivered course that has been endorsed to the Utility Safety Partners (USP) Ground Disturbance 201 Standard. Virtual proctoring is available on purchase.
If you are looking for the Ground Disturbance 201 (BC Add-on) which can be completed after this course, please use this link: https://training.astecsafety.com/store/astec-safety-inc-store/productdetails/ground-disturbance-201-bc-add-on
Continuing Education Credits
This course is eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program in the following provinces:
- Alberta CEU value: 0.6
- Saskatchewan CEU Value: 0.5
Alberta legislation requires that specified water and wastewater facilities have certified operators. Therefore, the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program was developed to ensure proper operation and maintenance of water and wastewater facilities. For more information on the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program, click here.
Gold Seal Certification Credits
This course is eligible for Gold Seal Certification Credits from the Canadian Construction Association:
- Value 2 Credits
For more information on the Canadian Construction Association program please go here: https://www.cca-acc.com/gold-seal/accreditation-program/accredited-training/.
Course Requirements
- Estimated Duration
- Approximately 6 hours
- Pass Requirements
- A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to pass this course. The final exam is able to be taken three times in efforts to achieve the pass mark.
- Certificate
- Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing. The certificate is valid for 3 years from the course completion date indicated on the certificate.
- Registration Fee
- $94.95 CAD
Ground Disturbance 201: common questions
What does Astec mean in "Astec Ground Disturbance 201"?
Astec Safety Inc. is a safety training company with locations in Lloydminster and Provost. USP lists it as an endorsed online and classroom provider for the Alberta and BC 201 standards. The add-ons on this site are written for learners whose 201 certificate came through Astec Safety Inc.
Can I take Ground Disturbance 201 fully online?
Yes. It runs in a web browser on most computers and tablets, including iPads, and ends with an online final exam. Google Chrome is the recommended browser.
How long is a GD 201 certificate valid?
The course states 3 years from the completion date on your certificate. An add-on certificate expires on the same date as the certificate it builds on.
Can I use the BC add-on if my Alberta 201 came from another provider?
Not according to the course record. The BC add-on is only for learners with a currently valid Alberta 201 through Astec Safety Inc. Otherwise, take the full Ground Disturbance 201 (BC) course.
Where do I request locates before I dig?
In Alberta, you submit a locate request to USP through Click Before You Dig. In BC, you submit a locate request to BC 1 Call online or by phone, and its members respond within 3 business days, or 5 for large projects.
Sources for this page
Related Courses
More courses starting with G→
6hGround Disturbance 201 (BC)
$94.95 CAD
45 minGround Disturbance 201 (BC) Add-on
$49.95 CAD
45 minGround Disturbance 201 (AB) Add-on
$49.95 CAD
1h 15mGround Disturbance 101
$49.99 CAD
45 minGround Disturbance (SK) Add-on
$49.95 CAD
1h 30mICC Shipping Dangerous Goods by Ground Drivers & Handlers (CA)
$43.99 CAD
Frequently asked questions about online training
Common questions about enrollment, completion, and certificates.
What are the benefits of online training?
Benefits of online training include:
- Cost effective: no hotels, travel, meals and less time away from the workplace.
- Convenient: courses can be completed wherever you have access to a computer and internet access.
- Self paced: students can pause at any time and continue where they left off.
- Consistent: video/slide format ensures the course is the same every time.
- Easy verification: online access to training and certification records for students and managers.
Which online training courses does Safe + Sound offer?
Click here for a full list of online courses, listed alphabetically.
What is BIS Safety Software Inc.?
BIS Safety Software Inc. is a network of more than 200 leading safety training companies from across North America who collectively share and provide companies and individuals with access to a wide variety of safety training courses through one centralized online application.
Since 2010, the collaborative partnership between these training companies has not only enabled the best-of-the-best in online safety training to be brought together in one location but it is also helping to improve industry safety performance through the provision of convenient, cost-effective training.
Our partners BIS Safety Software Inc. are, in our opinion, the best providers of online safety training courses in Canada. We’ve been working with BIS since March 2012 and we are completely happy with the service they provide.
It might be that your first aid certification hasn’t yet expired but you don't feel confident in your skills and would like a refresher or you maybe you need to do a WHMIS course or H2S. Whether you're looking for Confined Space Entry, Firefighting, Ground Disturbance, Fall Protection, Safe Slinging and Rigging, First Aid, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, WHMIS, Wilderness Awareness, or many other safety courses, you will likely find them in our Online Course Library.
Is there a time limit for online courses?
Everyone learns at a different pace and everyone retains information differently. When you take a course online, you go at your own speed. If you get to a certain point and don’t fully understand the material, you can pause and go back for a review. On the other hand, if everything makes perfect sense, you can go straight through the entire course right to the test.
How does virtual proctoring/testing with webcam monitoring work?
When you start your test, you will be monitored via your webcam. If you disappear from the screen or appear to be consulting another device or other material, you will be disqualified from the course. The company responsible for virtual proctoring is Integrity Advocate. You can find out more about how their system works here.
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Safe+Sound First Aid Training Ltd has made every effort to ensure the quality and standards of educational products sold and distributed by Safe+Sound via this website. Once purchased all online courses and products are non-refundable and all sales are final. Please review all cancellation policy details prior to purchase.
Please ensure your specific jurisdiction and workplace accepts online safety training and allows online training for your use.
Safe+Sound First Aid Training Ltd is not involved in course development and all online courses are sold and delivered in partnership with BIS Safety Software and approved and/or endorsed agencies.