Trenching and Excavation Safety Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

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Questions and Answers

Match the excavation hazard with its description:

Soil Collapse = Principal Causes: Steep cutting angle, Super imposed load, Shock & Vibration, Water Pressure Falls = Hazards: Excavation Works Vehicular Traffic = Hazards: Excavation Works Confined Space Conditions = Hazards: Excavation Works

Match the type of soil with its stability level for prevention of collapse:

Type A = Most stable: clay Type B = Medium stability: silt and unstable rock (disturbed soil as type B) Type C = Least stable: gravel, loamy sand, submerged soil, soil from which water is freely seeping

Match the description with the type of excavation:

Trench = A narrow excavation where the depth is greater than its width, and the width measured at the bottom is not greater than 15 ft. Excavation = Any man-made cut, cavity or depression in an earth surface that is formed by earth removal

Match the following safety measures with their corresponding categories:

Providing warning vests or reflectorized garments = Vehicular Traffic Designating a trained flagperson along with signs and barricades = Vehicular Traffic Determining location of underground facilities = Underground Utilities Keeping excavation free of water at all times = Working Surface Signup and view all the answers

Match the following requirements with their related details:

Minimum clear width of 20 in. = Surface Crossing of Trenches Extended a minimum of 24 in. past the surface edge = Surface Crossing of Trenches Supporting, protecting, or removing underground installations = Underground Utilities Providing workers with boots in muddy areas = Working Surface Signup and view all the answers

Match the following actions with their corresponding safety precautions:

Using horns or giving signals for safety = Vehicular Traffic Posting signs to prevent public access near excavation = Surface Crossing of Trenches Ensuring no water accumulation in the excavation area = Working Surface Locating and taking steps to prevent damage to underground facilities = Underground Utilities Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of slope with its corresponding angle:

Type A = 53° Type B = 45° Type C = 34° Box Type = Unknown Signup and view all the answers

Match the method of preventing soil collapse with its description:

Provision of shoring and timbering = Supporting walls of excavation over 1 meter deep Sheet Piles = Unknown Plate Lining System = Unknown Shielding = Unknown Signup and view all the answers

Match the action required for falls with the regulation:

Minimum Berm = Not less than one third of the depth of the excavation Barricades = At least 1 meter high Materials Stability = Presence of shoring and barriers Reduction Limitation = Not less than 1 meter Signup and view all the answers

Match the organization with its focus area:

Department of Labor and Employment = Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) Occupational Safety and Health Center = Prevention of Soil Collapse Falls = Unknown Shielding = Unknown Signup and view all the answers

Match the safety precaution with the Confined Space Condition it addresses:

Provide lifeline = Working alone in a confined space Check the condition of the atmosphere before entry = Excavation in confined space Provide emergency rescue equipment such as breathing apparatus = Hazardous toxic chemicals Ingress and Egress (Ladder) = Oxygen levels < 19.5% or > 23.5% Signup and view all the answers

Match the action with the Working in Excavation stage it corresponds to:

Check excavation permit = Prior to opening Wear appropriate PPE = During operations Maintain guardrails, fences, or other barricades = During operations Do not leave tools, materials, or debris in walkways = During break time Signup and view all the answers

Match the scenario with the Inspection frequency it requires:

Daily before start of each shift = Inspection When fissures, tension cracks, undercutting occur = Inspection After heavy rain = Inspection When there is any indication of change in adjacent structures = Inspection Signup and view all the answers

Match the activity with the Groundwater Control method it involves:

Sump Pumping = Groundwater Control Well Pointing Single-sided Well Point = Groundwater Control Double-sided Well Point = Groundwater Control Well Pointing = Groundwater Control Signup and view all the answers

Match the warning sign with the Hazardous Atmosphere condition it indicates:

Oxygen, O2 : < 19.5% or > 23.5% = Hazardous Atmosphere Flammable gas concentration > 10% of LFL = Hazardous Atmosphere Hazardous toxic chemicals = Hazardous Atmosphere Confined Space Conditions = Hazardous Atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Match the recommendation with the Ingress and Egress (Ladder) purpose it serves:

Provide ventilation or blower before entering = Ingress and Egress (Ladder) Provide lifeline = Ingress and Egress (Ladder) Do not use guardrails as resting place = Ingress and Egress (Ladder) Do not work alone in a confined space = Ingress and Egress (Ladder) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Excavation Safety

Excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, or depression in an earth surface that is formed by earth removal.
A trench is a narrow excavation where the depth is greater than its width, and the width measured at the bottom is not greater than 15 ft.

Hazards of Excavation Works

Soil Collapse
Falls
Vehicular Traffic
Underground Utilities
Working Surface
Confined Space Conditions

Soil Collapse

Principal causes of soil collapse:
- Steep cutting angle
- Super imposed load
- Shock & Vibration
- Water Pressure
- Drying
Prevention of soil collapse:
- Type A soil: most stable (clay)
- Type B soil: medium stability (silt and unstable rock)
- Type C soil: least stable (gravel, loamy sand, submerged soil)
- Cut the slope at a safe angle (H:V)
- Provision of shoring and timbering
- Use of sheet piles, plate lining system, and shielding

Prevention of Soil Collapse

Per Rule 1413 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS): The walls of every excavation over 1 meter deep shall be supported by adequate shoring.
Signs should be posted to prevent the public from going near the excavation.

Surface Crossing of Trenches

Walkways or bridges must be provided
Minimum clear width of 20 in
Standard rails extended a minimum of 24 in past the surface edge

Vehicular Traffic

Provide workers with warning vests or other suitable garments marked with reflectorized materials
Designate a trained flagperson along with signs and barricades when necessary
Use horn or give signals to ensure safety

Underground Utilities

Determine location of underground facilities and take necessary steps to prevent damage to these facilities
In an open excavation, support, protect or remove underground installation

Working Surface

Excavation shall be kept free of water at all times
In muddy areas, workers should be provided with boots to reduce the hazard of slipping

Prevention of Falls

Minimum Berm - not less than one third of the depth of the excavation
May be reduced to not less than 1 meter provided that materials are stable, shoring and barriers are present
Barricades of at least 1 meter high should be provided

Groundwater Control

Sump Pumping
Well Pointing
- Single-sided Well Point
- Double-sided Well Point

Confined Space Conditions

Hazardous Atmosphere:
- Oxygen, O2 : < 19.5% or > 23.5%
- Flammable gas concentration > 10% of Lower Flammability Limit (LFL)
- Hazardous toxic chemicals
Check the condition of the atmosphere before entry
Do not work alone in a confined space
Provide lifeline, ventilation or blower, and emergency rescue equipment

Ingress and Egress (Ladder)

Ensure safe access to and from the excavation

Working in Excavation

Prior to opening:
- Check excavation permit
- Identify all underground installations
- Remove trees, boulders, stumps, other surface encumbrances and hazards before starting excavation
During operations:
- Wear appropriate PPE
- Maintain safe working distance between workers
- Keep guardrails, fences, or other barricades and warning lights
During break time:
- Do not stand or take rest on high banks of soft material
- Do not leave tools, materials, or debris in walkways, ramps, or near the edge of excavations
- Do not use guardrails as resting place

Inspection

Daily before start of each shift
After heavy rain
When fissures, tension cracks, undercutting, water seepage, bulging at the bottom or other conditions occur
When there is any indication of change or movement in adjacent structures or spoil pile
Rule 1413 of the OSHS states that excavation shall be inspected at least once every day.

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Description

Test your knowledge about excavation safety, including definitions and regulations set by the Department of Labor and Employment Occupational Safety and Health Center. Learn about trenches, hazards, and safety measures in excavation sites.