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Excavations in the highway questions for the Highway works (HIW) specialist test

6 free questions on Excavations in the highway, from section E. Specialist: Highway works. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

Last verified against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions

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Question 1

Medium ·Link to this question (question 1)

A trench is to be dug across a road to lay a new duct.

When should you decide what temporary support it needs?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Only if it rains
  2. B. Before digging starts
  3. C. Once the sides start to crack
  4. D. After the first shift
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Dry trenches can collapse too.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says decide what temporary support will be needed before digging any trench or excavation.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. By then a collapse could already happen.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Plan the support before any digging.

Explanation

Plan the temporary support for an excavation before you start digging.

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Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

Trench supports are in place in a road excavation.

Who checks them, and when?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. The client, at handover
  2. B. Nobody, unless the sides move
  3. C. A competent person, each shift
  4. D. The ganger, once a week on Mondays
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. That is far too late.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Checks are needed every shift, before anything moves.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says a competent person must check the supports at the start of each shift, and after anything that could affect stability.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. They must be checked at the start of every shift.

Explanation

A competent person checks excavation supports at the start of each shift and after any event that could affect them.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

Spoil from a trench is piled right next to its edge, where people are working below.

What does HSE say?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Pile it higher so it takes up less room
  2. B. Nothing, as spoil can't roll back in
  3. C. Wet it down so that it sticks together and stays put
  4. D. Stop it falling in, for example with toe boards
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. A higher pile adds weight and more can fall in.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Loose material can fall into the trench.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Wet spoil is heavier and can still slip.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says loose material can fall from spoil heaps into the excavation. Toe boards or projecting trench sheets can stop it, and head protection should be worn.

Explanation

Keep spoil and materials back from the edge and stop them falling in, with toe boards or raised trench sheets.

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Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

A tipper needs somewhere to wait while it is loaded beside an open trench.

What does HSE say?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Keep it back from the trench sides
  2. B. Park with its wheels right at the edge
  3. C. Park it on the trench if the trench is shored
  4. D. Anywhere, as long as the engine is off
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says don't park plant and vehicles close to the sides of excavations, as the extra weight can make the sides collapse.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. The weight could collapse the trench side.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Supports are not designed for vehicle loads.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. The weight is the problem, running or not.

Explanation

Keep plant and vehicles away from the sides of excavations.

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Question 5

Medium ·Link to this question (question 5)

A trench next to a busy footway will be left open overnight.

What should you do?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Leave a ladder in it so people can climb out
  2. B. Cover it, or put strong barriers round it
  3. C. Leave a cone at each end
  4. D. Put tape across the top
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. HSE says remove access ladders, so children can't climb in.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says protect excavation edges with substantial barriers and remove access ladders. The street works code says consider temporary covers or enhanced barriers.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Cones won't stop someone falling in.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Tape won't stop a fall.

Explanation

Guard open excavations near the public with covers or substantial barriers, and take ladders out.

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Question 6

Easier ·Link to this question (question 6)

A ladder is used to get in and out of a deep trench.

How far must it stick out above the landing point?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Level with the top of the trench
  2. B. It doesn't need to stick out
  3. C. At least 1 metre
  4. D. At least 30 centimetres
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. You need something to hold as you step off.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. It must extend at least 1 metre.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says ladders into excavations must be secured, on a firm base, and extend at least 1 m above the landing point.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. It must extend at least 1 metre.

Explanation

Ladders into excavations: secured, on a firm base, extending at least 1 metre above the landing point.

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