CM 3503 Test Questions and All Actual
Answers 2026 Updated.
OSHA standard for excavation. - Answer 29 CFR 1926 sub-part P; Applies to all excavations.
Competent person. - Answer One who is capable of identifying hazards and has authorization
to take corrective action.
_____ % of the time a competent person wasn't on site when an accident occurred. - Answer
86
Qualified person - Answer One who has a recognized degree or professional training and can
solve the problem.
24 hours. - Answer Time to contact utilities owner before excavation according to OSHA
(state requires 48-72)
_____ % of fatalities are due to hazardous working conditions. - Answer 30
4 types of Protective Systems for excavations. - Answer 1) Sloping
2) Benching
3) Shoring
4) Shielding
Sloping. - Answer Sides of the trench are sloped in accordance with OSHA standards; angles
are self supporting; Sloped 1.5 times the height.
Benching - Answer Protects from cave ins by excavating the side as a series of steps.
Shoring - Answer Support system for holding up the sides of an excavation.
3 types of Shoring - Answer 1) Timber
2) Hydraulic
3) Pneumatic
, Shielding - Answer Includes trench boxes that protect against cave-ins but they don't prevent
them.
Surface encumbrances - Answer Anything that may cause hazardous surcharge loads causing
a cave in.
Underground Installations. - Answer Underground utility installation must be behind a certain
tolerance zone to avoid injury to workers.
Access and Egress: - Answer Stairway, ladder, or ramp should be located 25 ft. of all workers
for trenches that are 4ft or more.
Exposure to traffic. - Answer Warning vests are worn
Exposure to Falling loads - Answer Restriction of employees presence underneath loads.
Warning systems to mobile equipment. - Answer When a mobile equipment piece is next to
an open excavation with no clear view of the edge, a warning system will be in place.
Hazardous atmosphere - Answer Explosive, flammable, poisonous atmosphere.
Hazardous atmosphere has less than _____ % oxygen or more than _____ % oxygen. - Answer
19.5
23.5
Hazardous atmosphere expected to contain more than _____ % flammable gas. - Answer 20
Hazards associated with Water Accumulation. - Answer Water accumulation
Stability of adjacent structures. - Answer Structures near are affected.
Protection of employees from a cave in - Answer Mass of soil from the side sudden
movement into the excavation.
Inspections - Answer Willful violation: failure to conduct daily inspections by a competent
person.
Answers 2026 Updated.
OSHA standard for excavation. - Answer 29 CFR 1926 sub-part P; Applies to all excavations.
Competent person. - Answer One who is capable of identifying hazards and has authorization
to take corrective action.
_____ % of the time a competent person wasn't on site when an accident occurred. - Answer
86
Qualified person - Answer One who has a recognized degree or professional training and can
solve the problem.
24 hours. - Answer Time to contact utilities owner before excavation according to OSHA
(state requires 48-72)
_____ % of fatalities are due to hazardous working conditions. - Answer 30
4 types of Protective Systems for excavations. - Answer 1) Sloping
2) Benching
3) Shoring
4) Shielding
Sloping. - Answer Sides of the trench are sloped in accordance with OSHA standards; angles
are self supporting; Sloped 1.5 times the height.
Benching - Answer Protects from cave ins by excavating the side as a series of steps.
Shoring - Answer Support system for holding up the sides of an excavation.
3 types of Shoring - Answer 1) Timber
2) Hydraulic
3) Pneumatic
, Shielding - Answer Includes trench boxes that protect against cave-ins but they don't prevent
them.
Surface encumbrances - Answer Anything that may cause hazardous surcharge loads causing
a cave in.
Underground Installations. - Answer Underground utility installation must be behind a certain
tolerance zone to avoid injury to workers.
Access and Egress: - Answer Stairway, ladder, or ramp should be located 25 ft. of all workers
for trenches that are 4ft or more.
Exposure to traffic. - Answer Warning vests are worn
Exposure to Falling loads - Answer Restriction of employees presence underneath loads.
Warning systems to mobile equipment. - Answer When a mobile equipment piece is next to
an open excavation with no clear view of the edge, a warning system will be in place.
Hazardous atmosphere - Answer Explosive, flammable, poisonous atmosphere.
Hazardous atmosphere has less than _____ % oxygen or more than _____ % oxygen. - Answer
19.5
23.5
Hazardous atmosphere expected to contain more than _____ % flammable gas. - Answer 20
Hazards associated with Water Accumulation. - Answer Water accumulation
Stability of adjacent structures. - Answer Structures near are affected.
Protection of employees from a cave in - Answer Mass of soil from the side sudden
movement into the excavation.
Inspections - Answer Willful violation: failure to conduct daily inspections by a competent
person.
