RHODE ISLAND EXCAVATOR
OPERATOR STUDY GUIDE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
2025/2026
Scope and application - ANS This subpart applies to all open excavations made in the earth's
surface. Excavations are defined to include trenches.
Accepted engineering practices - ANS means those requirements which are compatible with
standards of practice required by a registered professional engineer.
Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring - ANS means a pre-engineered shoring system comprised of
aluminum hydraulic cylinders (crossbraces) used in conjunction with vertical rails (uprights) or
horizontal rails (walers). Such system is designed, specifically to support the sidewalls of an
excavation and prevent cave-ins.
Bell-bottom pier hole - ANS means a type of shaft or footing excavation, the bottom of which
is made larger than the cross section above to form a belled shape
Benching - ANS (Benching system) means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by
excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually
with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Cave-in - ANS means the separation of a mass of soil or rock material from the side of an
excavation, or the loss of soil from under a trench shield or support system, and its sudden
movement into the excavation, either by falling or sliding, in sufficient quantity so that
Competent person - ANS means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable
hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or
dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.
Cross braces - ANS mean the horizontal members of a shoring system installed perpendicular
to the sides of the excavation, the ends of which bear against either uprights or wales.
Excavation - ANS means any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface,
formed by earth removal.
Faces or sides - ANS means the vertical or inclined earth surfaces formed as a result of
excavation work.
Failure - ANS means the breakage, displacement, or permanent deformation of a structural
member or connection so as to reduce its structural integrity and its supportive capabilities.
Hazardous atmosphere - ANS means an atmosphere which by reason of being explosive,
flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritating, oxygen deficient, toxic, or otherwise
harmful, may cause death, illness, or injury.
Kickout - ANS means the accidental release or failure of a cross brace.
Protective system - ANS means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins, from
material that could fall or roll from an excavation face or into an excavation, or from the collapse
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, of adjacent structures. Protective systems include support systems, sloping and benching
systems, shield systems, and other systems that provide the necessary protection.
Ramp - ANS means an inclined walking or working surface that is used to gain access to one
point from another, and is constructed from earth or from structural materials such as steel or
wood.
Registered Professional Engineer - ANS means a person who is registered as a professional
engineer in the state where the work is to be performed. However, a professional engineer,
registered in any state is deemed to be a "registered professional engineer" within the meaning
of this standard when approving designs for "manufactured protective systems" or "tabulated
data" to be used in interstate commerce.
Sheeting - ANS means the members of a shoring system that retain the earth in position and
in turn are supported by other members of the shoring system.
Shield/Shield System - ANS means a structure that is able to withstand the forces imposed on
it by a cave-in and thereby protect employees within the structure. Shields can be permanent
structures or can be designed to be portable and moved along as work progresses. Additionally,
shields can be either premanufactured or job-built in accordance with § 1926.652 (c)(3) or
(c)(4). Shields used in trenches are usually referred to as "trench boxes" or "trench shields."
Shoring - ANS means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating to form
sides of an excavation that are inclined away from the excavation so as to prevent cave-ins. The
angle of incline required to prevent a cave-in varies with differences in such factors as the soil
type, environmental conditions of exposure, and application of surcharge loads.
Stable rock - ANS means natural solid mineral material that can be excavated with vertical
sides and will remain intact while exposed. Unstable rock is considered to be stable when the
rock material on the side or sides of the excavation is secured against caving-in or movement by
rock bolts or by another protective system that has been designed by a registered professional
engineer.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
OPERATOR STUDY GUIDE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
2025/2026
Scope and application - ANS This subpart applies to all open excavations made in the earth's
surface. Excavations are defined to include trenches.
Accepted engineering practices - ANS means those requirements which are compatible with
standards of practice required by a registered professional engineer.
Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring - ANS means a pre-engineered shoring system comprised of
aluminum hydraulic cylinders (crossbraces) used in conjunction with vertical rails (uprights) or
horizontal rails (walers). Such system is designed, specifically to support the sidewalls of an
excavation and prevent cave-ins.
Bell-bottom pier hole - ANS means a type of shaft or footing excavation, the bottom of which
is made larger than the cross section above to form a belled shape
Benching - ANS (Benching system) means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by
excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually
with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Cave-in - ANS means the separation of a mass of soil or rock material from the side of an
excavation, or the loss of soil from under a trench shield or support system, and its sudden
movement into the excavation, either by falling or sliding, in sufficient quantity so that
Competent person - ANS means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable
hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or
dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.
Cross braces - ANS mean the horizontal members of a shoring system installed perpendicular
to the sides of the excavation, the ends of which bear against either uprights or wales.
Excavation - ANS means any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface,
formed by earth removal.
Faces or sides - ANS means the vertical or inclined earth surfaces formed as a result of
excavation work.
Failure - ANS means the breakage, displacement, or permanent deformation of a structural
member or connection so as to reduce its structural integrity and its supportive capabilities.
Hazardous atmosphere - ANS means an atmosphere which by reason of being explosive,
flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritating, oxygen deficient, toxic, or otherwise
harmful, may cause death, illness, or injury.
Kickout - ANS means the accidental release or failure of a cross brace.
Protective system - ANS means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins, from
material that could fall or roll from an excavation face or into an excavation, or from the collapse
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, of adjacent structures. Protective systems include support systems, sloping and benching
systems, shield systems, and other systems that provide the necessary protection.
Ramp - ANS means an inclined walking or working surface that is used to gain access to one
point from another, and is constructed from earth or from structural materials such as steel or
wood.
Registered Professional Engineer - ANS means a person who is registered as a professional
engineer in the state where the work is to be performed. However, a professional engineer,
registered in any state is deemed to be a "registered professional engineer" within the meaning
of this standard when approving designs for "manufactured protective systems" or "tabulated
data" to be used in interstate commerce.
Sheeting - ANS means the members of a shoring system that retain the earth in position and
in turn are supported by other members of the shoring system.
Shield/Shield System - ANS means a structure that is able to withstand the forces imposed on
it by a cave-in and thereby protect employees within the structure. Shields can be permanent
structures or can be designed to be portable and moved along as work progresses. Additionally,
shields can be either premanufactured or job-built in accordance with § 1926.652 (c)(3) or
(c)(4). Shields used in trenches are usually referred to as "trench boxes" or "trench shields."
Shoring - ANS means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating to form
sides of an excavation that are inclined away from the excavation so as to prevent cave-ins. The
angle of incline required to prevent a cave-in varies with differences in such factors as the soil
type, environmental conditions of exposure, and application of surcharge loads.
Stable rock - ANS means natural solid mineral material that can be excavated with vertical
sides and will remain intact while exposed. Unstable rock is considered to be stable when the
rock material on the side or sides of the excavation is secured against caving-in or movement by
rock bolts or by another protective system that has been designed by a registered professional
engineer.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
