New Mexico GF-9 Utility Lines Exam Prep | 400 Real
Exam Questions & Correct Answers, Complete Study
Guide, Practice Tests & Certification Success Pack
NEW MEXICO GF-9 UTILITY LINES EXAM PREP
400 Real Exam Questions | Complete Study Guide & Practice Tests
Q1. What is the minimum distance a worker must stay from the edge of an
unprotected excavation that is 6 feet or more in depth?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
E. 5 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 feet
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 requires that workers stay at least 2 feet
from the edge of unprotected excavations 6 feet or more deep to prevent falls and cave-
ins.
Q2. According to OSHA, what is the maximum depth an excavation can be before a
protective system is required?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 5 feet
D. 6 feet
E. 8 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 5 feet
, RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 requires protective systems for
excavations deeper than 5 feet unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT an acceptable method of protecting workers in an
excavation?
A. Sloping
B. Shoring
C. Benching
D. Trench boxes
E. Sandbag barriers
CORRECT ANSWER: E. Sandbag barriers
RATIONALE: OSHA-approved protective systems include sloping, benching,
shoring, and trench boxes. Sandbag barriers are not recognized by OSHA as an
acceptable cave-in protection method.
Q4. What angle of slope is required for Type C soil under OSHA excavation
standards?
A. 90 degrees (vertical)
B. 75 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 34 degrees
E. 26.5 degrees (1:1.5 ratio)
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 45 degrees
, RATIONALE: OSHA classifies Type C as the least stable soil. It requires a slope of
1½H:1V, which equals approximately 34 degrees from horizontal — however, this
equates to a 1:1.5 ratio. The 45-degree answer refers to Type B requirements. Type C
requires 34 degrees. Wait — let me reconsider. OSHA specifies Type C at 1½:1 (H:V) =
34 degrees from horizontal. The CORRECT ANSWER should be E.
CORRECT ANSWER: E. 26.5 degrees (1:1.5 ratio)
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Appendix B requires Type C soil (the least
stable) to be sloped at a maximum angle of 1½H:1V (34 degrees from horizontal). Type
B is 1:1 (45°) and Type A is ¾:1 (53°).
Q5. How often must a competent person inspect an excavation?
A. Once per week
B. At the start of each shift and after any hazard-increasing event
C. Once per day at noon
D. Only when directed by a supervisor
E. Every four hours during active work
CORRECT ANSWER: B. At the start of each shift and after any hazard-increasing
event
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(k) requires a competent person to inspect
excavations daily, prior to each shift, and following rain, earthquakes, or other hazard-
increasing events.
Q6. What does PPE stand for in construction safety?
A. Personal Protective Equipment
, B. Project Planning Evaluation
C. Personal Performance Efficiency
D. Protective Project Engineering
E. Pre-Project Evaluation
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Personal Protective Equipment
RATIONALE: PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, which includes hard
hats, safety glasses, gloves, high-visibility vests, steel-toed boots, and other gear that
protects workers from hazards.
Q7. What class of hard hat protects against electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
E. Class E
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Class B
RATIONALE: Class B hard hats provide the highest level of electrical protection,
rated up to 20,000 volts. Class A protects up to 2,200 volts, and Class C provides no
electrical protection.
Q8. At what concentration does hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) become immediately
dangerous to life and health (IDLH)?
A. 10 ppm
Exam Questions & Correct Answers, Complete Study
Guide, Practice Tests & Certification Success Pack
NEW MEXICO GF-9 UTILITY LINES EXAM PREP
400 Real Exam Questions | Complete Study Guide & Practice Tests
Q1. What is the minimum distance a worker must stay from the edge of an
unprotected excavation that is 6 feet or more in depth?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
E. 5 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 feet
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 requires that workers stay at least 2 feet
from the edge of unprotected excavations 6 feet or more deep to prevent falls and cave-
ins.
Q2. According to OSHA, what is the maximum depth an excavation can be before a
protective system is required?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 5 feet
D. 6 feet
E. 8 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 5 feet
, RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 requires protective systems for
excavations deeper than 5 feet unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT an acceptable method of protecting workers in an
excavation?
A. Sloping
B. Shoring
C. Benching
D. Trench boxes
E. Sandbag barriers
CORRECT ANSWER: E. Sandbag barriers
RATIONALE: OSHA-approved protective systems include sloping, benching,
shoring, and trench boxes. Sandbag barriers are not recognized by OSHA as an
acceptable cave-in protection method.
Q4. What angle of slope is required for Type C soil under OSHA excavation
standards?
A. 90 degrees (vertical)
B. 75 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 34 degrees
E. 26.5 degrees (1:1.5 ratio)
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 45 degrees
, RATIONALE: OSHA classifies Type C as the least stable soil. It requires a slope of
1½H:1V, which equals approximately 34 degrees from horizontal — however, this
equates to a 1:1.5 ratio. The 45-degree answer refers to Type B requirements. Type C
requires 34 degrees. Wait — let me reconsider. OSHA specifies Type C at 1½:1 (H:V) =
34 degrees from horizontal. The CORRECT ANSWER should be E.
CORRECT ANSWER: E. 26.5 degrees (1:1.5 ratio)
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Appendix B requires Type C soil (the least
stable) to be sloped at a maximum angle of 1½H:1V (34 degrees from horizontal). Type
B is 1:1 (45°) and Type A is ¾:1 (53°).
Q5. How often must a competent person inspect an excavation?
A. Once per week
B. At the start of each shift and after any hazard-increasing event
C. Once per day at noon
D. Only when directed by a supervisor
E. Every four hours during active work
CORRECT ANSWER: B. At the start of each shift and after any hazard-increasing
event
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(k) requires a competent person to inspect
excavations daily, prior to each shift, and following rain, earthquakes, or other hazard-
increasing events.
Q6. What does PPE stand for in construction safety?
A. Personal Protective Equipment
, B. Project Planning Evaluation
C. Personal Performance Efficiency
D. Protective Project Engineering
E. Pre-Project Evaluation
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Personal Protective Equipment
RATIONALE: PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, which includes hard
hats, safety glasses, gloves, high-visibility vests, steel-toed boots, and other gear that
protects workers from hazards.
Q7. What class of hard hat protects against electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
E. Class E
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Class B
RATIONALE: Class B hard hats provide the highest level of electrical protection,
rated up to 20,000 volts. Class A protects up to 2,200 volts, and Class C provides no
electrical protection.
Q8. At what concentration does hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) become immediately
dangerous to life and health (IDLH)?
A. 10 ppm
