EXCAVATION COMPETENT PERSON CERTIFICATION
PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST (2025 - 2026 UPDATE)
FROM REAL PAST PAPERS QUESTIONS – SET 100
MOST COMMON EXAM FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN DETAILS 100%
VERIFIED EXAM HIGHLY RECOMMENDABLE FOR
GRADE A+
1. A competent person is defined as one who:
A. Has 10 years of experience
B. Is capable of identifying hazards and has authority to take corrective
action
C. Has completed OSHA training only
D. Is a supervisor on site
✔ Correct Answer: B (Is capable of identifying hazards and has authority
to take corrective action)
A competent person must both recognize hazards and be empowered to
correct them immediately.
2. The primary hazard associated with excavation work is:
A. Noise exposure
B. Cave-ins
C. Electrical shock
D. Slips and trips
✔ Correct Answer: B (Cave-ins)
Cave-ins are the leading cause of fatalities in excavation operations.
3. Protective systems are required in excavations:
A. Deeper than 3 feet
B. Deeper than 4 feet
, C. Deeper than 5 feet
D. All excavations
✔ Correct Answer: C (Deeper than 5 feet)
OSHA requires protection systems in excavations 5 feet or deeper unless
stable rock is present.
4. Soil classified as Type A is:
A. The least stable
B. Cohesive with high compressive strength
C. Granular soil
D. Previously disturbed soil
✔ Correct Answer: B (Cohesive with high compressive strength)
Type A soil is the most stable and includes clay with high compressive
strength.
5. Previously disturbed soil is classified as:
A. Type A
B. Type B
C. Type C
D. Stable rock
✔ Correct Answer: C (Type C)
Previously disturbed soil cannot be classified as Type A and is typically Type
C.
6. The maximum allowable slope for Type C soil is:
A. 3/4:1
B. 1:1
C. 1.5:1
D. 2:1
✔ Correct Answer: C (1.5:1)
Type C soil requires the gentlest slope due to its instability.
7. A trench box is used to:
A. Prevent water accumulation
, B. Support trench walls
C. Protect workers from cave-ins
D. Measure trench depth
✔ Correct Answer: C (Protect workers from cave-ins)
Trench boxes do not prevent collapse but protect workers if it occurs.
8. The minimum safe distance for spoil piles is:
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 5 feet
✔ Correct Answer: B (2 feet)
Spoil must be kept at least 2 feet from the edge to reduce collapse risk.
9. Oxygen deficiency is defined as oxygen levels below:
A. 21%
B. 20%
C. 19.5%
D. 18%
✔ Correct Answer: C (19.5%)
Atmospheres below 19.5% oxygen are considered hazardous.
10.A ladder must extend above the landing surface by:
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
✔ Correct Answer: C (3 feet)
Ladders must extend 3 feet for safe access and egress.
11.Inspections of excavations must be conducted:
A. Weekly
B. Daily and after hazard-increasing events
C. Monthly
PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST (2025 - 2026 UPDATE)
FROM REAL PAST PAPERS QUESTIONS – SET 100
MOST COMMON EXAM FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN DETAILS 100%
VERIFIED EXAM HIGHLY RECOMMENDABLE FOR
GRADE A+
1. A competent person is defined as one who:
A. Has 10 years of experience
B. Is capable of identifying hazards and has authority to take corrective
action
C. Has completed OSHA training only
D. Is a supervisor on site
✔ Correct Answer: B (Is capable of identifying hazards and has authority
to take corrective action)
A competent person must both recognize hazards and be empowered to
correct them immediately.
2. The primary hazard associated with excavation work is:
A. Noise exposure
B. Cave-ins
C. Electrical shock
D. Slips and trips
✔ Correct Answer: B (Cave-ins)
Cave-ins are the leading cause of fatalities in excavation operations.
3. Protective systems are required in excavations:
A. Deeper than 3 feet
B. Deeper than 4 feet
, C. Deeper than 5 feet
D. All excavations
✔ Correct Answer: C (Deeper than 5 feet)
OSHA requires protection systems in excavations 5 feet or deeper unless
stable rock is present.
4. Soil classified as Type A is:
A. The least stable
B. Cohesive with high compressive strength
C. Granular soil
D. Previously disturbed soil
✔ Correct Answer: B (Cohesive with high compressive strength)
Type A soil is the most stable and includes clay with high compressive
strength.
5. Previously disturbed soil is classified as:
A. Type A
B. Type B
C. Type C
D. Stable rock
✔ Correct Answer: C (Type C)
Previously disturbed soil cannot be classified as Type A and is typically Type
C.
6. The maximum allowable slope for Type C soil is:
A. 3/4:1
B. 1:1
C. 1.5:1
D. 2:1
✔ Correct Answer: C (1.5:1)
Type C soil requires the gentlest slope due to its instability.
7. A trench box is used to:
A. Prevent water accumulation
, B. Support trench walls
C. Protect workers from cave-ins
D. Measure trench depth
✔ Correct Answer: C (Protect workers from cave-ins)
Trench boxes do not prevent collapse but protect workers if it occurs.
8. The minimum safe distance for spoil piles is:
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 5 feet
✔ Correct Answer: B (2 feet)
Spoil must be kept at least 2 feet from the edge to reduce collapse risk.
9. Oxygen deficiency is defined as oxygen levels below:
A. 21%
B. 20%
C. 19.5%
D. 18%
✔ Correct Answer: C (19.5%)
Atmospheres below 19.5% oxygen are considered hazardous.
10.A ladder must extend above the landing surface by:
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
✔ Correct Answer: C (3 feet)
Ladders must extend 3 feet for safe access and egress.
11.Inspections of excavations must be conducted:
A. Weekly
B. Daily and after hazard-increasing events
C. Monthly
