Exams / HS&E Operatives / Excavations and confined spaces / Question 6
HS&E Operatives practice question: Excavations and confined spaces (6 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.
Last verified against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions
You are hand-digging a trial hole to expose a buried electricity cable that has been located.
What tools should you use?
Choose one answer.
- AA. Insulated hand tools, digging carefully
- BB. A pick, so you get through the ground faster
- CC. A breaker, as the ground is hard
- DD. The excavator bucket, going slowly
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A
- A. Right: Right. HSE says insulated tools should be used when hand digging near electric cables, and trial holes are dug with suitable hand tools.
- B. Wrong: Wrong. A pick can easily damage a cable. Dig carefully with suitable insulated tools.
- C. Wrong: Wrong. A breaker could strike the cable. Hand dig with insulated tools.
- D. Wrong: Wrong. Machines can easily damage cables. Trial holes near cables are dug by hand.
Explanation
Near buried cables, dig by hand with insulated tools. Use the cable locator often as you go.
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