COURSE OVERVIEW
Digger derricks are powerful lifting machines used to drill holes, set poles, and move heavy materials on utility, telecommunications, and construction job sites across the United States. They are essential for many tasks, but their operations also carry serious hazards like tip-overs, powerline contact, falling loads, and struck-by incidents. This course gives you the foundational knowledge needed to inspect the equipment, set up properly, recognize hazards, and follow safe lifting practices on every lift.
By the end of this course, learners should be able to:
- Identify the major hazards associated with digger derrick operations
- Perform basic pre-use inspections and recognize unsafe equipment conditions
- Explain how stability, leverage, and outrigger setup affect tip-over risk
- Use safe setup practices, including cribbing and outrigger pads, to support lifting operations
- Apply lift planning basics, including load awareness, exclusion zones, and communication roles
- Describe safe operating practices to prevent struck-by injuries and dropped loads
- Recognize when conditions are unsafe and follow general emergency response procedures
COURSE TOPICS
Course topics include:
- Digger Derrick Fundamentals and Key Components
- Major Hazards: Tip-Over, Powerline Contact, Rigging, and Struck-By
- Responsibilities, Roles, and Competency
- Pre-Operational Inspection
- Setup and Stability
- Load Charts and Lift Planning
- Rigging Safety Awareness
- Safe Operation: Work Zones, Communication, and PPE
- Emergency Procedures
ONLINE COURSE DURATION
This course is approximately 120 minutes long.
PASS MARK
The pass mark for this course is 80%. Learners can make 3 attempts to pass the course before it must be reassigned.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Upon successful completion of this course, learners will receive a certificate of completion.
ABOUT THIS OSHA TRAINING
This course is an informational and awareness-based training resource, developed and reviewed by an OSHA subject matter expert to ensure content accuracy and regulatory alignment. However, completion of this course does not qualify as OSHA Outreach Training under the OSHA Outreach Training Program, nor does it qualify you as a Competent Person as defined under any OSHA standard.
This course is also not a substitute for site-specific training required by applicable federal, state, or local regulations, and does not provide any official certification, designation, or credential recognized by OSHA or any regulatory authority. We encourage you to consult applicable OSHA standards and work with qualified safety professionals to ensure you fully comply with all regulatory requirements applicable to your workplace and role.
