OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach (knowledge check)
Focus Four: Caught-in or between: practice questions
Our OSHA 10 Construction bank has 34 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
What is shoring?
- A soil test done by an engineer
- Cutting the trench walls back at an angle away from the excavation so they will not fall in
- A ladder placed inside the trench
- A system of supports, such as hydraulic or timber, that holds up trench walls to prevent movement
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D. A system of supports, such as hydraulic or timber, that holds up trench walls to prevent movement — Shoring is a structure that supports the sides of an excavation to prevent cave-ins.
Question 2
What is the maximum allowable slope for a trench in Type C soil (under 20 feet deep)?
- 1 horizontal to 1 vertical (45 degrees)
- ¾ horizontal to 1 vertical (53 degrees)
- 1½ horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees)
- Vertical walls are allowed if the trench is less than 20 feet deep
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C. 1½ horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees) — Appendix B allows ¾:1 for Type A, 1:1 for Type B and 1½:1 for Type C.
Question 3
Walkways or bridges over trenches must have standard guardrails when the drop is:
- 1 foot or more
- 6 feet or more
- Guardrails are never required
- 3 feet or more
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B. 6 feet or more — Walkways must be provided where workers cross over excavations, with guardrails where the fall is 6 feet or more.
Question 4
Why is it dangerous to stand between a moving vehicle and a fixed object such as a wall?
- It is against traffic laws
- You can be crushed or pinned
- It blocks the view of the mirrors
- The vehicle's exhaust is hot
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B. You can be crushed or pinned — Being pinned between equipment and a fixed object is a classic caught-between hazard.
Question 5
Can workers ride or stand under loads being handled by excavating equipment?
- Yes, if they wear hard hats
- No, workers must not be under loads handled by lifting or digging equipment
- Yes, if the operator is certified and the load is moving slowly
- Yes, if the load is soil
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B. No, workers must not be under loads handled by lifting or digging equipment — No employee may be permitted underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment.