Texas Wastewater Class B 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct answer is that protective measures are required anytime an excavation is greater than 5 feet deep. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established specific regulations regarding trench safety to protect workers from potential hazards associated with cave-ins, which are more likely as excavations increase in depth.

While excavation sites that are deeper than 2 feet can present risks, the critical depth at which specific protective measures must be implemented is indeed 5 feet. This ensures that adequate safety protocols, such as trench shoring or shielding, are put into place to mitigate the risk of collapse, particularly because the potential for serious injury or death increases significantly with depth.

The other options do not align with OSHA's criteria. Excavations deeper than 2 feet may not necessitate protective measures unless they reach the 5-foot threshold, where regulations become more stringent. Soil stability varies, but concerns about protection aren't solely dependent on unstable soil conditions; regulations are based on depth. Lastly, trench safety applies broadly to any excavation work, not just during specific activities such as sewer line installation.