Exams / HS&E Operatives / Excavations and confined spaces / Question 2
HS&E Operatives practice question: Excavations and confined spaces (2 of 7)
C. Safety A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
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Your gang is digging a deep trench for a new drain.
Which two help stop the sides collapsing? (Choose two.)
Choose two answers.
- AA. Getting the work done quickly so the trench is open for less time
- BB. Supporting the sides, or sloping them back to a safe angle
- CC. Keeping plant, vehicles and spoil heaps back from the edge
- DD. Leaving the sides unsupported if the ground is dry and hard
Show the answer and explanation
Answers: B, C
- A. Wrong: Wrong. A trench can collapse at any time, however quickly you work. It needs proper support.
- B. Right: Right. Supports or battering (sloping the sides back) should be planned before digging starts.
- C. Right: Right. Extra weight near the edge makes a collapse more likely, and spoil can fall into the trench.
- D. Wrong: Wrong. HSE says no ground can be relied on to stand unsupported in all conditions.
Explanation
Support or batter the sides of excavations, and keep plant, vehicles and spoil back from the edge.
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