EXCAVATIONS (OSHA-10)

What are the three main protection methods against cave-ins?

Shields, shoring, and sloping

This excavation is at risk for a cave-in because the walls of the excavation are unstable. What type of excavation protection will address this situation?

Shoring

There are ways to protect yourself when excavating. Which of the following is a way to protect yourself when working around excavations?

Slope or bench the sides of the excavation and support the sides of the excavation.

This type of soil is cohesive but has been cracked or disturbed, or is located near sources of vibration. Examples include angular gravel and silt loam.

Type B

Employees are working within an excavation that is more than 4 foot deep and cannot safely exit the site. What is a hazard that needs to be addressed in this situation?

access and egress

Keep excavated dirt, rocks, and other materials back two feet from the excavation's edge. Whose responsibility is this?

employer

Protect workers from cave-ins and other excavation-related hazards. Whose responsibility is this?

employer

Correct the hazards that can be corrected. Whose responsibility is this?

worker

Unless made in entirely stable rock, at what depth is a protective system required for a trench?

-Any depth if the competent person says so -5 feet and greater

Which of the following is an excavation hazard?

Fire, Toxic fumes, Asphyxiation

What is the minimum distance that excavation materials, tools, and other supplies be kept back from the excavation's edge?

2 Feet

At what depth must a ladder, ramp, steps, or runway be present for quick worker exit?

4 feet

Your employer has the ability to protect you from cave-ins and other hazards by using adequately-designed protection systems in excavations, but these are not required when an excavation is made entirely in stable rock or is less than how deep?

5 feet

Most excavation accidents occur at what depth?

5 to 15 feet.

Which of these is known as the greatest danger associated with excavations?

Cave-ins

What is the greatest risk present at an excavation site?

Cave-ins are the greatest risk present at an excavation site.

This excavation is at risk for cave-in and water accumulation because of the excess soil that has accumulated. What type of excavation protection will address this situation?

Correctly placed spoils

Inspect the excavation at least daily and throughout the shift as needed. Whose responsibility is this?

Employer

In order for a worker to be considered competent, they only need to have specific training in and be knowledgeable about identifying hazards, and are authorized to immediately eliminate hazards. Is this true or false?

False

What two requirements must be met so that a trench does not need to have a protective system installed?

Protective systems aren't required in a trench if the excavation is made entirely out of stable rock or it is less than five feet in depth and examination of the ground by a competent person provides no indication of a potential cave-in.

According to OSHA standards, a competent person is defined as one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. Is this true or false?

True

Among many other responsibilities, a competent person is responsible for evaluating soil conditions; testing for low oxygen, hazardous fumes, and toxic gases; and providing safe access and egress. Is this true or false?

True

This type of soil is cohesive and has high unconfined compressive strength. Examples include clay, silty clay, and clay loam.

Type A