2A HOISTING LICENCE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS| ACCURATE REAL EXAM WITH FREQUENTLY
TESTED QUESTIONS AND RATIONALE|ALREADY A
GRADED|GUARANTEED PASS|LATEST UPDATE 2025.
When towing (not trailering) a backhoe loader, what speed should you not exceed?
A) 3 miles per hour
B) 5 miles per hour
C) 10 miles per hour
D) 25 miles per hour - CORRECT ANSWER B) 5 miles per hour
What color paint is used to ore-mark a trench?
A) Black
B) Blue
C) Red
D) White - CORRECT ANSWER D) White
What protects a worker in a trench? - CORRECT ANSWER Sloping, shoring, or shielding (a
trench box)
When does Dig-Safe expire?
A) 30 days from when you call it in
B) 60 days from when you call it in
C) 90 days from when you call it in - CORRECT ANSWER A) 30 days from when you call it in
What is a clutch disconnect? - CORRECT ANSWER It allows you to disconnect the
transmission power without putting in the clutch and is used off road only
What is a master disconnect? - CORRECT ANSWER A master switch that shuts all of the
electrical functions on a machine— essentially a "kill switch"
What type of material are chain slings made of? - CORRECT ANSWER Alloy, steel—grade 80
or higher
What is shoring? - CORRECT ANSWER Panels at the trench sides held in position with
hydraulic pistons, mechanical screw jacks, or the equivalent to prevent a cave-in and protect the
workers inside those panels.
On a backhoe, how far down do your stabilizers need to be for proper operation? - CORRECT
ANSWER When the rubber comes slightly off the ground, stabilizers are properly deployed
What type of sling material would be best to use in reducing shock loading?
A) Wire
B) Chain
C) Nylon slings - CORRECT ANSWER C) Nylon slings
,What is the purpose of the swing gear? - CORRECT ANSWER To facilitate rotating the
equipment
What is No. 1 Fuel?
A) Kerosene
B) Diesel
C) Natural Gas
D) Ethanol Fuel - CORRECT ANSWER A) Kerosene
What is No. 2 fuel?
A)Kerosene
B) Diesel
C) Natural Gas
D) Ethanol Fuel - CORRECT ANSWER Diesel
What sling angle is not acceptable?
A) 25 degrees or more
B) 35 degrees or less
C) 25 degrees or less
D) 30 degrees or less - CORRECT ANSWER D) 30 degrees or less
How many brake pedals are found on a backhoe?
A) one
B) Two
C) Four
D) Six - CORRECT ANSWER B) Two
In a trench when the dirt collapses, what is it called?
A) Cave-in
B) Shoring
C) Industrial Collapse
D) Lock-out - CORRECT ANSWER A) Cave-in
T or F: Hydraulic fluid compresses when heated - CORRECT ANSWER False it expands
T or F: One should check the hydraulic fluid level annually - CORRECT ANSWER False,
needs to be checked everyday
T or F: According to MA law equipment that lifts 10ft high and over 400 lbs or 1/4 of a cubic
yard of material requires a hoisting license - CORRECT ANSWER False, 500 lbs is the limit
you must call OPSI within what time period of an accident resulting in death occurs -
CORRECT ANSWER 1 hour
what is the fine for operating without a license - CORRECT ANSWER $500-$3,000 or 3
months in jail
,what is the minimum distance from a powerline? - CORRECT ANSWER it all depends on the
voltage
T or F: operator manuals must be kept in the office - CORRECT ANSWER False
How often must a hoisting license be renewed? - CORRECT ANSWER every 2 years
What state department enforces hoisting laws? - CORRECT ANSWER OPSI: Office of Public
Safety and Inspections
T or F: when traveling the front bucket should be low and curled back - CORRECT ANSWER
True
T or F: when digging across a slope the spoil pile should be placed down the slope - CORRECT
ANSWER False
T or F: It's not ok to straddle an open trench - CORRECT ANSWER True
How often must a machine be inspected? - CORRECT ANSWER Daily
What must you do if you dig up a gas line? - CORRECT ANSWER Let gas vent, evacuate the
area, extinguish all flame if possible, call gas company and 911
If your machine comes into contact with a powerline what should you do? - CORRECT
ANSWER if you cannot stay put, hop from machine with both feet together and hop or shuffle
with feet touching
When is protection required for a trench? - CORRECT ANSWER 5 feet or ask the competent
person
Per OSHA, who must classify soil? - CORRECT ANSWER Competent person
What protection does shoring provide in a trench? - CORRECT ANSWER Prevents cave ins
and adds material for protection
A Trench box is a type of: - CORRECT ANSWER Shielding Device
T or F: Sloping removes material for protection - CORRECT ANSWER True
T or F: The larger the grain size the less stable the material - CORRECT ANSWER True
T or F: Type B soils require a 1:1 slope ratio - CORRECT ANSWER True
T or F: It's ok to leave spoil piles right up against the edge of a trench - CORRECT ANSWER
False
, T or F: Suffocation only occurs when a person's face is buried in a cave in - CORRECT
ANSWER False, you limbs can suffocate you aswell
At what depth does a trench require a ladder every 25 feet? - CORRECT ANSWER 4 feet deep
T or F: Ladders must extend above the trench 3 feet - CORRECT ANSWER True
Can you bench Type C soils? - CORRECT ANSWER NO
T or F: you should try to break contact with an electric powerline - CORRECT ANSWER False
What should you do when backfilling - CORRECT ANSWER backfill in lifts, compact with
front tires, look before backing up
How wide can the bottom of an excavation be to be called a trench? - CORRECT ANSWER 15
feet max
All welding and cutting on equipment must be in accordance with: - CORRECT ANSWER
Section IX (9) of ASME codes 520 CMR
What is the minimum notice to call Dig Safe? - CORRECT ANSWER 72 hours
What color does red mean on a Dig Safe marking? - CORRECT ANSWER Electrical
A safety zone is the width of the facility and: - CORRECT ANSWER 18 inches on each side of
the facility
If an excavation does not start within 30 days of notification to Dig Safe: - CORRECT
ANSWER Markings become invalid
How old must a person be to acquire a hoisting license? - CORRECT ANSWER 18
T or F: I should load a truck on the passenger side - CORRECT ANSWER False
In order to give hand signals in construction I must be: - CORRECT ANSWER Designated and
qualified/trained
T or F: Seatbelts must be worn if no ROP is present - CORRECT ANSWER False
Who is responsible for obtaining the dig safe markings? - CORRECT ANSWER The excavator
If I prevent an OPSI inspector from doing his job I could be fined for up to: - CORRECT
ANSWER $3,000
T or F: I should dig into a bank at a 45 degree angle - CORRECT ANSWER True
ANSWERS| ACCURATE REAL EXAM WITH FREQUENTLY
TESTED QUESTIONS AND RATIONALE|ALREADY A
GRADED|GUARANTEED PASS|LATEST UPDATE 2025.
When towing (not trailering) a backhoe loader, what speed should you not exceed?
A) 3 miles per hour
B) 5 miles per hour
C) 10 miles per hour
D) 25 miles per hour - CORRECT ANSWER B) 5 miles per hour
What color paint is used to ore-mark a trench?
A) Black
B) Blue
C) Red
D) White - CORRECT ANSWER D) White
What protects a worker in a trench? - CORRECT ANSWER Sloping, shoring, or shielding (a
trench box)
When does Dig-Safe expire?
A) 30 days from when you call it in
B) 60 days from when you call it in
C) 90 days from when you call it in - CORRECT ANSWER A) 30 days from when you call it in
What is a clutch disconnect? - CORRECT ANSWER It allows you to disconnect the
transmission power without putting in the clutch and is used off road only
What is a master disconnect? - CORRECT ANSWER A master switch that shuts all of the
electrical functions on a machine— essentially a "kill switch"
What type of material are chain slings made of? - CORRECT ANSWER Alloy, steel—grade 80
or higher
What is shoring? - CORRECT ANSWER Panels at the trench sides held in position with
hydraulic pistons, mechanical screw jacks, or the equivalent to prevent a cave-in and protect the
workers inside those panels.
On a backhoe, how far down do your stabilizers need to be for proper operation? - CORRECT
ANSWER When the rubber comes slightly off the ground, stabilizers are properly deployed
What type of sling material would be best to use in reducing shock loading?
A) Wire
B) Chain
C) Nylon slings - CORRECT ANSWER C) Nylon slings
,What is the purpose of the swing gear? - CORRECT ANSWER To facilitate rotating the
equipment
What is No. 1 Fuel?
A) Kerosene
B) Diesel
C) Natural Gas
D) Ethanol Fuel - CORRECT ANSWER A) Kerosene
What is No. 2 fuel?
A)Kerosene
B) Diesel
C) Natural Gas
D) Ethanol Fuel - CORRECT ANSWER Diesel
What sling angle is not acceptable?
A) 25 degrees or more
B) 35 degrees or less
C) 25 degrees or less
D) 30 degrees or less - CORRECT ANSWER D) 30 degrees or less
How many brake pedals are found on a backhoe?
A) one
B) Two
C) Four
D) Six - CORRECT ANSWER B) Two
In a trench when the dirt collapses, what is it called?
A) Cave-in
B) Shoring
C) Industrial Collapse
D) Lock-out - CORRECT ANSWER A) Cave-in
T or F: Hydraulic fluid compresses when heated - CORRECT ANSWER False it expands
T or F: One should check the hydraulic fluid level annually - CORRECT ANSWER False,
needs to be checked everyday
T or F: According to MA law equipment that lifts 10ft high and over 400 lbs or 1/4 of a cubic
yard of material requires a hoisting license - CORRECT ANSWER False, 500 lbs is the limit
you must call OPSI within what time period of an accident resulting in death occurs -
CORRECT ANSWER 1 hour
what is the fine for operating without a license - CORRECT ANSWER $500-$3,000 or 3
months in jail
,what is the minimum distance from a powerline? - CORRECT ANSWER it all depends on the
voltage
T or F: operator manuals must be kept in the office - CORRECT ANSWER False
How often must a hoisting license be renewed? - CORRECT ANSWER every 2 years
What state department enforces hoisting laws? - CORRECT ANSWER OPSI: Office of Public
Safety and Inspections
T or F: when traveling the front bucket should be low and curled back - CORRECT ANSWER
True
T or F: when digging across a slope the spoil pile should be placed down the slope - CORRECT
ANSWER False
T or F: It's not ok to straddle an open trench - CORRECT ANSWER True
How often must a machine be inspected? - CORRECT ANSWER Daily
What must you do if you dig up a gas line? - CORRECT ANSWER Let gas vent, evacuate the
area, extinguish all flame if possible, call gas company and 911
If your machine comes into contact with a powerline what should you do? - CORRECT
ANSWER if you cannot stay put, hop from machine with both feet together and hop or shuffle
with feet touching
When is protection required for a trench? - CORRECT ANSWER 5 feet or ask the competent
person
Per OSHA, who must classify soil? - CORRECT ANSWER Competent person
What protection does shoring provide in a trench? - CORRECT ANSWER Prevents cave ins
and adds material for protection
A Trench box is a type of: - CORRECT ANSWER Shielding Device
T or F: Sloping removes material for protection - CORRECT ANSWER True
T or F: The larger the grain size the less stable the material - CORRECT ANSWER True
T or F: Type B soils require a 1:1 slope ratio - CORRECT ANSWER True
T or F: It's ok to leave spoil piles right up against the edge of a trench - CORRECT ANSWER
False
, T or F: Suffocation only occurs when a person's face is buried in a cave in - CORRECT
ANSWER False, you limbs can suffocate you aswell
At what depth does a trench require a ladder every 25 feet? - CORRECT ANSWER 4 feet deep
T or F: Ladders must extend above the trench 3 feet - CORRECT ANSWER True
Can you bench Type C soils? - CORRECT ANSWER NO
T or F: you should try to break contact with an electric powerline - CORRECT ANSWER False
What should you do when backfilling - CORRECT ANSWER backfill in lifts, compact with
front tires, look before backing up
How wide can the bottom of an excavation be to be called a trench? - CORRECT ANSWER 15
feet max
All welding and cutting on equipment must be in accordance with: - CORRECT ANSWER
Section IX (9) of ASME codes 520 CMR
What is the minimum notice to call Dig Safe? - CORRECT ANSWER 72 hours
What color does red mean on a Dig Safe marking? - CORRECT ANSWER Electrical
A safety zone is the width of the facility and: - CORRECT ANSWER 18 inches on each side of
the facility
If an excavation does not start within 30 days of notification to Dig Safe: - CORRECT
ANSWER Markings become invalid
How old must a person be to acquire a hoisting license? - CORRECT ANSWER 18
T or F: I should load a truck on the passenger side - CORRECT ANSWER False
In order to give hand signals in construction I must be: - CORRECT ANSWER Designated and
qualified/trained
T or F: Seatbelts must be worn if no ROP is present - CORRECT ANSWER False
Who is responsible for obtaining the dig safe markings? - CORRECT ANSWER The excavator
If I prevent an OPSI inspector from doing his job I could be fined for up to: - CORRECT
ANSWER $3,000
T or F: I should dig into a bank at a 45 degree angle - CORRECT ANSWER True
