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MINNESOTA EXCAVATION COMPETENT PERSON EXAM –
PRACTICE 2026/2027 COMPLETE (140) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
EXCAVATION
Prepare for the Minnesota Excavation Competent Person Exam with this focused
practice resource designed to support your certification preparation. It features exam-
style practice questions covering OSHA 1926 Subpart P excavation standards, soil
classification and testing methods (Visual and Manual), protective system selection
(sloping, benching, shoring, and shielding), hazardous atmosphere testing, access
and egress rules, and Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) compliance. An ideal study aid for
jobsite superintendents, safety managers, and utility construction foremen looking to
demonstrate competent person knowledge and ensure workplace safety.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
DOMAIN 1 — Competent Person Definition, Roles, and Responsibilities
(Questions 1–14)
1. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, what is the definition of a
"Competent Person" in excavation operations?
A. An individual with at least 10 years of excavation experience
B. An individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards
and has the authority to take prompt corrective measures
C. An individual who has completed a 40-hour OSHA safety course
D. An individual who is designated by the project owner
Answer: B. An individual who is capable of identifying existing and
predictable hazards and has the authority to take prompt corrective
measures
Rationale: The OSHA Construction Standard defines a competent person as
someone who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the
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surroundings or working conditions that are hazardous or dangerous to
employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.
2. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the Competent Person
on an excavation site?
A. Conducting daily inspections of the trench
B. Stopping work when unsafe conditions exist
C. Operating heavy excavation equipment
D. Classifying soil types
Answer: C. Operating heavy excavation equipment
Rationale: The Competent Person's primary responsibilities include
inspecting the trench, identifying hazards, stopping unsafe work, and
classifying soil. Operating equipment is not a required responsibility of the
Competent Person, though they may have other roles.
3. A Competent Person must have specific training in and be
knowledgeable about which of the following?
A. Soil analysis
B. The use of protective systems
C. The requirements of 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: MNOSHA requires that a Competent Person shall have specific
training in and be knowledgeable about soil analysis, the use of protective
systems, and the requirements of Subpart P.
4. How often must a Competent Person inspect an excavation or trench
when weather conditions change?
A. Once per week
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B. Daily, and after any hazard change
C. Only at the start of the project
D. Every 2 hours
Answer: B. Daily, and after any hazard change
Rationale: A Competent Person must inspect trenches daily and after any
hazard change, including weather changes. The OSHA standard requires
inspections by a competent person prior to each shift and after any event that
could increase hazards.
5. A Competent Person observes water accumulation in a 6-foot trench.
What is the appropriate action?
A. Continue work if the water is not rising
B. Immediately remove workers and address the water hazard before allowing
re-entry
C. Place a pump and continue working
D. Ignore the water if it is less than 6 inches deep
Answer: B. Immediately remove workers and address the water hazard
before allowing re-entry
Rationale: Water accumulation in a trench is a serious hazard that can
destabilize soil and increase cave-in risk. The Competent Person must remove
workers and correct the hazard before work resumes.
6. A Competent Person on an excavation site must have the authority to:
A. Approve all material purchases
B. Stop work when unsafe conditions exist
C. Hire and fire workers
D. Redesign the project
Answer: B. Stop work when unsafe conditions exist
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Rationale: The Competent Person must have the authority to take prompt
corrective action, including stopping work when hazards are identified. This is
a defining characteristic of the Competent Person role.
7. According to OSHA, a Competent Person is required to be present
during excavation activities when:
A. The excavation is deeper than 4 feet
B. The excavation is deeper than 5 feet
C. The excavation involves any trenching or excavating activity
D. Only when the excavation is deeper than 10 feet
Answer: C. The excavation involves any trenching or excavating activity
Rationale: OSHA requires a Competent Person to be present during most
trenching and excavating activities under 29 CFR 1926.650-652.
8. Who is responsible for designating the Competent Person on an
excavation site?
A. OSHA
B. The employer
C. The project owner
D. The employee
Answer: B. The employer
Rationale: The employer designates the Competent Person based on
knowledge and training. The employer is responsible for ensuring that a
qualified individual is assigned to this role.
9. A Competent Person is performing a soil classification. What is the
minimum requirement for the analysis?
A. One visual test only
B. At least one visual and one manual test
C. A laboratory analysis
MINNESOTA EXCAVATION COMPETENT PERSON EXAM –
PRACTICE 2026/2027 COMPLETE (140) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
EXCAVATION
Prepare for the Minnesota Excavation Competent Person Exam with this focused
practice resource designed to support your certification preparation. It features exam-
style practice questions covering OSHA 1926 Subpart P excavation standards, soil
classification and testing methods (Visual and Manual), protective system selection
(sloping, benching, shoring, and shielding), hazardous atmosphere testing, access
and egress rules, and Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) compliance. An ideal study aid for
jobsite superintendents, safety managers, and utility construction foremen looking to
demonstrate competent person knowledge and ensure workplace safety.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
DOMAIN 1 — Competent Person Definition, Roles, and Responsibilities
(Questions 1–14)
1. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, what is the definition of a
"Competent Person" in excavation operations?
A. An individual with at least 10 years of excavation experience
B. An individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards
and has the authority to take prompt corrective measures
C. An individual who has completed a 40-hour OSHA safety course
D. An individual who is designated by the project owner
Answer: B. An individual who is capable of identifying existing and
predictable hazards and has the authority to take prompt corrective
measures
Rationale: The OSHA Construction Standard defines a competent person as
someone who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the
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surroundings or working conditions that are hazardous or dangerous to
employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.
2. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the Competent Person
on an excavation site?
A. Conducting daily inspections of the trench
B. Stopping work when unsafe conditions exist
C. Operating heavy excavation equipment
D. Classifying soil types
Answer: C. Operating heavy excavation equipment
Rationale: The Competent Person's primary responsibilities include
inspecting the trench, identifying hazards, stopping unsafe work, and
classifying soil. Operating equipment is not a required responsibility of the
Competent Person, though they may have other roles.
3. A Competent Person must have specific training in and be
knowledgeable about which of the following?
A. Soil analysis
B. The use of protective systems
C. The requirements of 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: MNOSHA requires that a Competent Person shall have specific
training in and be knowledgeable about soil analysis, the use of protective
systems, and the requirements of Subpart P.
4. How often must a Competent Person inspect an excavation or trench
when weather conditions change?
A. Once per week
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B. Daily, and after any hazard change
C. Only at the start of the project
D. Every 2 hours
Answer: B. Daily, and after any hazard change
Rationale: A Competent Person must inspect trenches daily and after any
hazard change, including weather changes. The OSHA standard requires
inspections by a competent person prior to each shift and after any event that
could increase hazards.
5. A Competent Person observes water accumulation in a 6-foot trench.
What is the appropriate action?
A. Continue work if the water is not rising
B. Immediately remove workers and address the water hazard before allowing
re-entry
C. Place a pump and continue working
D. Ignore the water if it is less than 6 inches deep
Answer: B. Immediately remove workers and address the water hazard
before allowing re-entry
Rationale: Water accumulation in a trench is a serious hazard that can
destabilize soil and increase cave-in risk. The Competent Person must remove
workers and correct the hazard before work resumes.
6. A Competent Person on an excavation site must have the authority to:
A. Approve all material purchases
B. Stop work when unsafe conditions exist
C. Hire and fire workers
D. Redesign the project
Answer: B. Stop work when unsafe conditions exist
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Rationale: The Competent Person must have the authority to take prompt
corrective action, including stopping work when hazards are identified. This is
a defining characteristic of the Competent Person role.
7. According to OSHA, a Competent Person is required to be present
during excavation activities when:
A. The excavation is deeper than 4 feet
B. The excavation is deeper than 5 feet
C. The excavation involves any trenching or excavating activity
D. Only when the excavation is deeper than 10 feet
Answer: C. The excavation involves any trenching or excavating activity
Rationale: OSHA requires a Competent Person to be present during most
trenching and excavating activities under 29 CFR 1926.650-652.
8. Who is responsible for designating the Competent Person on an
excavation site?
A. OSHA
B. The employer
C. The project owner
D. The employee
Answer: B. The employer
Rationale: The employer designates the Competent Person based on
knowledge and training. The employer is responsible for ensuring that a
qualified individual is assigned to this role.
9. A Competent Person is performing a soil classification. What is the
minimum requirement for the analysis?
A. One visual test only
B. At least one visual and one manual test
C. A laboratory analysis
