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Excavations and underground services questions for the CSCS MAP test

4 free questions on Excavations and underground services, from section D. High risk activities. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

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Question 1

Medium ·Link to this question (question 1)

A deep excavation on your site has trench support in place.

When must it be inspected?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Only after heavy rain
  2. B. At the start of each shift, and after anything that could affect it
  3. C. Once a week, like a scaffold
  4. D. Only when it is first dug
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Inspect each shift as well as after events like heavy rain.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says excavations should be inspected by a competent person at the start of each shift, and after any event that may have affected their strength or stability.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Excavations must be inspected at the start of each shift.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Ground conditions change. Inspect every shift.

Explanation

Excavations must be inspected by a competent person at the start of each shift and after any event that could affect them.

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Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

A trench is to be dug near a road on your site.

What should the planning include about buried services?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Nothing, as the excavator driver will feel any cables
  2. B. Digging fast to finish before anyone finds out
  3. C. Plans, then tracing and marking services
  4. D. Only the plans, as they show exactly where services are
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. A machine can easily cut a cable.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. That is dangerous and could kill someone.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says get plans, use a cable locator to trace and mark services, and use safe digging methods.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Plans only give an indication. Services must be traced on site.

Explanation

Plan, locate and dig safely: get plans, trace and mark services, then hand dig trial holes.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

A dumper is going to tip spoil into an excavation.

What should stop it falling in?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Tipping quickly before the edge gives way
  2. B. Wheel stops set back from the edge
  3. C. The driver's judgement alone
  4. D. A traffic cone at the edge
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. That is dangerous.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says use stop blocks to keep vehicles back from excavation edges.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Drivers can misjudge the edge. Use stop blocks.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. A cone won't stop a dumper.

Explanation

Keep vehicles, spoil and materials back from excavation edges, using stop blocks where vehicles tip.

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Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

Your team is working near buried cables that have been located and marked.

What should they use when digging close to them?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. The excavator, with the driver taking care
  2. B. A pick, as it is lighter
  3. C. Insulated hand tools
  4. D. A breaker, to get through quickly
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Machines can easily damage cables.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Picks and spikes can pierce cables.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says trial holes should be dug by hand near cables, using suitable insulated tools.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Breakers can strike cables.

Explanation

Near buried cables, dig trial holes by hand with insulated tools.

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