FLORIDA UNDERGROUND UTILITY
CONTRACTOR EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
1. According to OSHA standards, at what depth is a professional engineer required to design a
protective system for an excavation?
A. 5 feet
B. 20 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 10 feet
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA 1926 Subpart P requires that protective systems for
excavations greater than 20 feet in depth be designed by a registered professional
engineer.
2. What is the minimum horizontal distance that a spoil pile must be kept from the edge of an
excavation?
A. 1 foot
B. 3 feet
,C. 2 feet
D. 4 feet
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA regulations require that the spoil pile and other materials
be kept at least 2 feet back from the edge of the trench to prevent cave-ins.
3. In Florida, how many full business days must a contractor wait after notifying Sunshine 811
before beginning an excavation?
A. 1 business day
B. 5 business days
C. 2 business days
D. 10 business days
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Florida Statute 556 requires a minimum of 2 full business days
notice (excluding the day of the call, weekends, and holidays) before starting any
excavation.
4. What is the maximum allowable slope for a trench in Type C soil for an excavation less than
20 feet deep?
A. 3/4 to 1 (53 degrees)
B. 1.5 to 1 (34 degrees)
, C. 1 to 1 (45 degrees)
D. Vertical (90 degrees)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type C soil is the least stable and requires a maximum slope of
1.5 horizontal to 1 vertical.
5. Which color is used to mark proposed excavation limits according to the APWA uniform
color code?
A. Yellow
B. Pink
C. Red
D. White
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: White is designated for proposed excavation or ‘pre-marking’ of
the dig site.
6. What is the standard horizontal separation distance required between a new water main
and a sanitary sewer line in Florida?
A. 3 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 15 feet
CONTRACTOR EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
1. According to OSHA standards, at what depth is a professional engineer required to design a
protective system for an excavation?
A. 5 feet
B. 20 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 10 feet
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA 1926 Subpart P requires that protective systems for
excavations greater than 20 feet in depth be designed by a registered professional
engineer.
2. What is the minimum horizontal distance that a spoil pile must be kept from the edge of an
excavation?
A. 1 foot
B. 3 feet
,C. 2 feet
D. 4 feet
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA regulations require that the spoil pile and other materials
be kept at least 2 feet back from the edge of the trench to prevent cave-ins.
3. In Florida, how many full business days must a contractor wait after notifying Sunshine 811
before beginning an excavation?
A. 1 business day
B. 5 business days
C. 2 business days
D. 10 business days
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Florida Statute 556 requires a minimum of 2 full business days
notice (excluding the day of the call, weekends, and holidays) before starting any
excavation.
4. What is the maximum allowable slope for a trench in Type C soil for an excavation less than
20 feet deep?
A. 3/4 to 1 (53 degrees)
B. 1.5 to 1 (34 degrees)
, C. 1 to 1 (45 degrees)
D. Vertical (90 degrees)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type C soil is the least stable and requires a maximum slope of
1.5 horizontal to 1 vertical.
5. Which color is used to mark proposed excavation limits according to the APWA uniform
color code?
A. Yellow
B. Pink
C. Red
D. White
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: White is designated for proposed excavation or ‘pre-marking’ of
the dig site.
6. What is the standard horizontal separation distance required between a new water main
and a sanitary sewer line in Florida?
A. 3 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 15 feet
