Excavation Safety PREPARATION TEST
2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
● Trench. Answer: A narrow excavation (no more than 15 ft wide at the
bottom).
● Cave-in Protection. Answer: Required for excavations 5 feet or
deeper.
● Fall Protection. Answer: Required for excavations 6 feet or deeper,
typically involving guardrails around the opening.
● Competent Person. Answer: An individual capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working
conditions.
● Qualified Person. Answer: Someone with extensive knowledge and
experience who can perform complex calculations and design protective
systems.
● Registered Professional Engineer (RPE). Answer: Required to design
protective systems for excavations 20 feet or deeper.
, ● Spoil Pile (Excavated Earth). Answer: Material removed from an
excavation, must be kept at least 2 feet away from the edge.
● Cave-ins. Answer: Primary Hazard: Soil can collapse due to various
factors.
● Weight of Soil. Answer: 1 cubic foot of soil: approximately 100
pounds.
● Factors Affecting Soil Stability. Answer: Water, vibrations, and
change of weather can impact soil strength.
● Common Gases. Answer: Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Methane (CH4),
Carbon Monoxide (CO), and other solvents/hydrocarbons.
● Oxygen Deficiency. Answer: A risk in confined spaces like trenches.
● SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). Answer: May be
necessary for entry into immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)
atmospheres.
● Access/Egress (Ladders). Answer: Required for trenches 4 feet or
deeper, must extend 3 feet above the top of the trench.
2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
● Trench. Answer: A narrow excavation (no more than 15 ft wide at the
bottom).
● Cave-in Protection. Answer: Required for excavations 5 feet or
deeper.
● Fall Protection. Answer: Required for excavations 6 feet or deeper,
typically involving guardrails around the opening.
● Competent Person. Answer: An individual capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working
conditions.
● Qualified Person. Answer: Someone with extensive knowledge and
experience who can perform complex calculations and design protective
systems.
● Registered Professional Engineer (RPE). Answer: Required to design
protective systems for excavations 20 feet or deeper.
, ● Spoil Pile (Excavated Earth). Answer: Material removed from an
excavation, must be kept at least 2 feet away from the edge.
● Cave-ins. Answer: Primary Hazard: Soil can collapse due to various
factors.
● Weight of Soil. Answer: 1 cubic foot of soil: approximately 100
pounds.
● Factors Affecting Soil Stability. Answer: Water, vibrations, and
change of weather can impact soil strength.
● Common Gases. Answer: Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Methane (CH4),
Carbon Monoxide (CO), and other solvents/hydrocarbons.
● Oxygen Deficiency. Answer: A risk in confined spaces like trenches.
● SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). Answer: May be
necessary for entry into immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)
atmospheres.
● Access/Egress (Ladders). Answer: Required for trenches 4 feet or
deeper, must extend 3 feet above the top of the trench.
