©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 12:54PM.
OSHA 30- Excavation Hazards, Soils Exam
Questions And Answers 2025 Update.
A cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as: - Answer✔A small pickup truck
To be classified as type A, the soil cannot be - Answer✔All of the above (disturbed, part of a
mixed layered system, subject to vibration, seeping water
When your trench is deeper than 4 ft and hazards may be present, air monitoring must be done
before entry - Answer✔True
A soil cannot be Type A if it is: - Answer✔All of the above
Which of the following are common soil classification tests? - Answer✔All except C
A soils are usually clay and cemented soils such as caliche and hardpan - Answer✔True
Each of the following is Type B soil EXCEPT: - Answer✔Sand
The definition of type C-60 soil is provided by manufactures to allow the competent person an
opportunity to use vertical shores or other protective systems in accordance with tables
provided by the manufacture - Answer✔True
The most important distinction b/w stable rock types A&B and type C is: - Answer✔Degree of
stability
A defining feature of stable rock is that it will: - Answer✔Remain intact while exposed
OSHA requires that the competent person perform two visual and two manual test on a soil
sample fresh out of the ground and not impacted by weather conditions at the site -
Answer✔False
Aluminum hydraulic shoring permits both installation and removal without entering the trench
- Answer✔True
Shores must be pumped to a minimum of 750 pounds of pressure but more is recommended -
Answer✔True
1
, ©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 12:54PM.
Type B soils afford how many options of protection? - Answer✔Four
Which soil type is the most common? - Answer✔Type B
Which of the following statements is true of kickout? - Answer✔All of the above
Mixed oak timber have a greater bending strength per square inch than Douglas fir -
Answer✔False
In type C soil, the angle of repose is very low, how many degrees must the angle be? -
Answer✔34
The depth at which an excavation needs attention from a registered professional engineer is: -
Answer✔20 ft
Placing a shield (e.g., trench shield or trench box) between the side of an excavation and the
work area can minimize the risk in the event of a cave in. - Answer✔True
Shoring and shielding can be custom built from tabulated data approved by a registered PE. -
Answer✔True
The struts of a screw jack system must be adjusted manually, which creates a hazard because
the worker is required to: - Answer✔Be in the trench in order to adjust the strut
All systems have a set of manufacturer's tabulated data to be used for proper design and
installation of the equipment - Answer✔True
When using a ladder in a trench, it must be: - Answer✔All of the above
A surface encumbrance is anything that could create a ___ in or around a trench. -
Answer✔Hazard
Walkways must have handrails when at __ or more above lower level - Answer✔6 ft
A competent person must inspect all excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems daily,
____, and as needed throughout the shift. - Answer✔Before work begins
Establishing eye contact with your equipment operator is a general safety principle when
working outside the working radius. - Answer✔True
Being dangerously close to a falling load is: - Answer✔Not allowed
Each of the following is true of accumulating water hazards EXCEPT: - Answer✔Special supports
or shield are not allowed.
Warning systems for mobile equipment include barricades, hand signals, stop logs -
Answer✔True
All surface encumbrances must be removed or supported within: - Answer✔The zone of
influence
2
OSHA 30- Excavation Hazards, Soils Exam
Questions And Answers 2025 Update.
A cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as: - Answer✔A small pickup truck
To be classified as type A, the soil cannot be - Answer✔All of the above (disturbed, part of a
mixed layered system, subject to vibration, seeping water
When your trench is deeper than 4 ft and hazards may be present, air monitoring must be done
before entry - Answer✔True
A soil cannot be Type A if it is: - Answer✔All of the above
Which of the following are common soil classification tests? - Answer✔All except C
A soils are usually clay and cemented soils such as caliche and hardpan - Answer✔True
Each of the following is Type B soil EXCEPT: - Answer✔Sand
The definition of type C-60 soil is provided by manufactures to allow the competent person an
opportunity to use vertical shores or other protective systems in accordance with tables
provided by the manufacture - Answer✔True
The most important distinction b/w stable rock types A&B and type C is: - Answer✔Degree of
stability
A defining feature of stable rock is that it will: - Answer✔Remain intact while exposed
OSHA requires that the competent person perform two visual and two manual test on a soil
sample fresh out of the ground and not impacted by weather conditions at the site -
Answer✔False
Aluminum hydraulic shoring permits both installation and removal without entering the trench
- Answer✔True
Shores must be pumped to a minimum of 750 pounds of pressure but more is recommended -
Answer✔True
1
, ©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 12:54PM.
Type B soils afford how many options of protection? - Answer✔Four
Which soil type is the most common? - Answer✔Type B
Which of the following statements is true of kickout? - Answer✔All of the above
Mixed oak timber have a greater bending strength per square inch than Douglas fir -
Answer✔False
In type C soil, the angle of repose is very low, how many degrees must the angle be? -
Answer✔34
The depth at which an excavation needs attention from a registered professional engineer is: -
Answer✔20 ft
Placing a shield (e.g., trench shield or trench box) between the side of an excavation and the
work area can minimize the risk in the event of a cave in. - Answer✔True
Shoring and shielding can be custom built from tabulated data approved by a registered PE. -
Answer✔True
The struts of a screw jack system must be adjusted manually, which creates a hazard because
the worker is required to: - Answer✔Be in the trench in order to adjust the strut
All systems have a set of manufacturer's tabulated data to be used for proper design and
installation of the equipment - Answer✔True
When using a ladder in a trench, it must be: - Answer✔All of the above
A surface encumbrance is anything that could create a ___ in or around a trench. -
Answer✔Hazard
Walkways must have handrails when at __ or more above lower level - Answer✔6 ft
A competent person must inspect all excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems daily,
____, and as needed throughout the shift. - Answer✔Before work begins
Establishing eye contact with your equipment operator is a general safety principle when
working outside the working radius. - Answer✔True
Being dangerously close to a falling load is: - Answer✔Not allowed
Each of the following is true of accumulating water hazards EXCEPT: - Answer✔Special supports
or shield are not allowed.
Warning systems for mobile equipment include barricades, hand signals, stop logs -
Answer✔True
All surface encumbrances must be removed or supported within: - Answer✔The zone of
influence
2
