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Excavation & Trench Safety
Training Project

A multi-modal safety training program designed to reduce risk and improve compliance for construction workers performing excavation and trenching activities across USA and Canada. The program combined eLearning, instructor-led training, and immersive VR simulations to support consistent, high-quality safety instruction.

Excavation & trench safety training overview.png

Business Problem

Excavation and trenching incidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatalities in construction. The client needed a standardized, engaging training solution that could be delivered consistently across multiple training providers while meeting regulatory requirements and improving learner retention and on-the-job safety behaviors.

My Role

Lead Instructional Designer & Project Lead

 

Responsible for end-to-end delivery, including instructional strategy, project planning, team coordination, stakeholder management, and quality assurance across all learning modalities.

Audience

  • Construction workers and supervisors

  • Apprentices and experienced tradespeople

  • Training providers delivering safety certification programs

Solution

Designed and delivered a blended learning program consisting of:

  • Interactive eLearning modules covering excavation and trench safety fundamentals

  • Immersive VR simulation scenarios allowing learners to identify hazards and practice decision-making in realistic jobsite environments

  • Instructor-led training materials, including facilitator guides, slide decks, and hands-on activities

  • Assessments aligned to regulatory standards and learning objectives

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The solution emphasized real-world application, hazard recognition, and decision-making rather than rote memorization.​

Leadership & Collaboration

  • Led a cross-functional delivery team, including instructional designers, subject matter experts, VR developers, and external stakeholders

  • Established project timelines, milestones, and quality standards across multiple deliverables

  • Partnered closely with regulatory bodies and SMEs to ensure accuracy, compliance, and instructional integrity

  • Facilitated design reviews, risk discussions, and iterative feedback cycles to keep the project on track

Tools & Technology

  • Articulate Storyline & Rise

  • VR simulation development tools

  • Learning management systems (LMS)

  • Miro and collaborative design tools

  • Jira, Monday.com, and other project planning and documentation tools

Outcomes & Impact

  • Delivered a scalable, standardized safety training program adopted across multiple training providers

  • Improved learner engagement through immersive, scenario-based learning

  • Supported consistent compliance with excavation and trench safety regulations

  • Created reusable learning assets that reduced long-term development and delivery costs

 

(Quantitative metrics omitted or generalized to protect client confidentiality.)

What I'd Improve Next Time

Future iterations could incorporate expanded data tracking on post-training behavior change and safety outcomes, as well as additional VR scenarios to address edge cases and advanced supervisory decision-making.

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