CWEA COLLECTION SYSTEMS
MAINTENANCE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS FOR CWEA GRADE 1
AND 2 TESTS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
What is the difference between 25% oxygen and 100% oxygen? -
ANSWERS-Neither are suitable for work, but 25% is an increased
fire risk and 100% can cause brain damage
What are all 7 steps of LOTO procedure? - ANSWERS-1. Identify
potential hazards
2. notify all affected employees
3. turn off/disable/isolate controls
4. Lock out all energy control switched (sign and date!)
5. Test by turning on controls and accounting for personnel before the
safety test
6. turn control to OFF
7. Perform task (when complete, only the person who tagged out may
remove the lock and tag)
What is the difference between a trench and an excavation? -
ANSWERS-A trench is an excavation! Trenches specifically are
deeper than they are wide, have a bottom width of 15 feet or less and
,have a higher potential for wall cave in. Excavations are any man-
made work-related functions affected by earth removal or disturbance
(i.e. cuts, trenches or deprsions)
What is the "pipe zone" in the trench? - ANSWERS-the portion of the
excavation where the pipe is located.
What is the "haunch zone" of an excavation? - ANSWERS-Either side
of the arched section in the bottom half of the pipe
What type of equipment should be used to excavate a broken sewer
pipe? - ANSWERS-Backhoe
Name and describe the three soil types - ANSWERS-Type A:
cohesive soils like clay
Type B: Cohesive soil that have been disturbed or angular gravel
Type C: Granular Soils like sand. These are the least stable
What three steps can prevent harm to you whole in a trench? -
ANSWERS-1. Find the competent person
2. Work in protected areas
3. Check your escape
What are some factors that can make soil unstable? - ANSWERS-
Excessively wet, Loose, Excessive roots
, What are the maximum allowable slopes or all the soil types? -
ANSWERS-Type A: 3/4:1
Type B: 1:1
Type C: 1.5:1
What are some advantages of hydraulic shoring systems? -
ANSWERS-They are light enough to be installed by one worker:
from top down
They are gauge-regulated to ensure even distribution of pressure
along the trench line
They can have their trench faces "preloaded" to use the soils natural
cohesion to prevent movement
They can be adapted easily to various trench depths and widths
What are the components of a temporary traffic control? -
ANSWERS-Traffic space that allows traffic to pass by activity,
temporary lanes with a 10' minimum width and a 5' clearance from
the excavation, and tapers that are used in the transition area and
moves traffic out of its normal path.
What is the minimum length of a taper in a temporary traffic control
setup? - ANSWERS-50'
MAINTENANCE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS FOR CWEA GRADE 1
AND 2 TESTS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
What is the difference between 25% oxygen and 100% oxygen? -
ANSWERS-Neither are suitable for work, but 25% is an increased
fire risk and 100% can cause brain damage
What are all 7 steps of LOTO procedure? - ANSWERS-1. Identify
potential hazards
2. notify all affected employees
3. turn off/disable/isolate controls
4. Lock out all energy control switched (sign and date!)
5. Test by turning on controls and accounting for personnel before the
safety test
6. turn control to OFF
7. Perform task (when complete, only the person who tagged out may
remove the lock and tag)
What is the difference between a trench and an excavation? -
ANSWERS-A trench is an excavation! Trenches specifically are
deeper than they are wide, have a bottom width of 15 feet or less and
,have a higher potential for wall cave in. Excavations are any man-
made work-related functions affected by earth removal or disturbance
(i.e. cuts, trenches or deprsions)
What is the "pipe zone" in the trench? - ANSWERS-the portion of the
excavation where the pipe is located.
What is the "haunch zone" of an excavation? - ANSWERS-Either side
of the arched section in the bottom half of the pipe
What type of equipment should be used to excavate a broken sewer
pipe? - ANSWERS-Backhoe
Name and describe the three soil types - ANSWERS-Type A:
cohesive soils like clay
Type B: Cohesive soil that have been disturbed or angular gravel
Type C: Granular Soils like sand. These are the least stable
What three steps can prevent harm to you whole in a trench? -
ANSWERS-1. Find the competent person
2. Work in protected areas
3. Check your escape
What are some factors that can make soil unstable? - ANSWERS-
Excessively wet, Loose, Excessive roots
, What are the maximum allowable slopes or all the soil types? -
ANSWERS-Type A: 3/4:1
Type B: 1:1
Type C: 1.5:1
What are some advantages of hydraulic shoring systems? -
ANSWERS-They are light enough to be installed by one worker:
from top down
They are gauge-regulated to ensure even distribution of pressure
along the trench line
They can have their trench faces "preloaded" to use the soils natural
cohesion to prevent movement
They can be adapted easily to various trench depths and widths
What are the components of a temporary traffic control? -
ANSWERS-Traffic space that allows traffic to pass by activity,
temporary lanes with a 10' minimum width and a 5' clearance from
the excavation, and tapers that are used in the transition area and
moves traffic out of its normal path.
What is the minimum length of a taper in a temporary traffic control
setup? - ANSWERS-50'
