FLORIDA UNDERGROUND UTILITY
CONTRACTOR EXAM PREP -
ADVANCED LEVEL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
1. According to OSHA 1926 Subpart P, what is the maximum allowable slope for an
excavation in Type B soil for a trench less than 20 feet deep?
A. 1/2:1 (63 degrees)
B. 3/4:1 (53 degrees)
C. 1.5:1 (34 degrees)
D. 1:1 (45 degrees)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA Table B-1 specifies that Type B soil requires a maximum
allowable slope of 1:1 (45 degrees).
2. Under the Florida Trench Safety Act, who is required to sign the trench safety compliance
statement for a public project?
A. The building inspector
B. The licensed contractor
C. The project engineer
,D. The safety officer only
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The licensed contractor is responsible for acknowledging
compliance with the Trench Safety Act as part of the bid or contract.
3. What is the minimum horizontal separation required between a new water main and an
existing sanitary sewer line in Florida?
A. 3 feet
B. 5 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 10 feet
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Standard Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(FDEP) rules require a 10-foot horizontal separation for sanitary sewers.
4. Which soil type is characterized by an unconfined compressive strength of 0.5 tons per
square foot (tsf) or less?
A. Type A
B. Type B
C. Solid Rock
D. Type C
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type C soil includes cohesive soil with an unconfined
compressive strength of 0.5 tsf or less, or granular soils.
5. A ‘competent person’ must inspect an excavation for evidence of a situation that could
result in possible cave-ins how often?
A. Weekly
B. After every rainstorm
C. Daily and after any hazard-increasing event
D. Only when shoring is adjusted
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA requires inspections daily by a competent person and
after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing event.
6. In Florida, what is the vertical clearance required when a water main crosses under a sewer
line?
A. 6 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 24 inches
Answer: B
CONTRACTOR EXAM PREP -
ADVANCED LEVEL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
1. According to OSHA 1926 Subpart P, what is the maximum allowable slope for an
excavation in Type B soil for a trench less than 20 feet deep?
A. 1/2:1 (63 degrees)
B. 3/4:1 (53 degrees)
C. 1.5:1 (34 degrees)
D. 1:1 (45 degrees)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA Table B-1 specifies that Type B soil requires a maximum
allowable slope of 1:1 (45 degrees).
2. Under the Florida Trench Safety Act, who is required to sign the trench safety compliance
statement for a public project?
A. The building inspector
B. The licensed contractor
C. The project engineer
,D. The safety officer only
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The licensed contractor is responsible for acknowledging
compliance with the Trench Safety Act as part of the bid or contract.
3. What is the minimum horizontal separation required between a new water main and an
existing sanitary sewer line in Florida?
A. 3 feet
B. 5 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 10 feet
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Standard Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(FDEP) rules require a 10-foot horizontal separation for sanitary sewers.
4. Which soil type is characterized by an unconfined compressive strength of 0.5 tons per
square foot (tsf) or less?
A. Type A
B. Type B
C. Solid Rock
D. Type C
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type C soil includes cohesive soil with an unconfined
compressive strength of 0.5 tsf or less, or granular soils.
5. A ‘competent person’ must inspect an excavation for evidence of a situation that could
result in possible cave-ins how often?
A. Weekly
B. After every rainstorm
C. Daily and after any hazard-increasing event
D. Only when shoring is adjusted
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: OSHA requires inspections daily by a competent person and
after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing event.
6. In Florida, what is the vertical clearance required when a water main crosses under a sewer
line?
A. 6 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 24 inches
Answer: B
