1. Before excavating in a public ROW in Wisconsin, the FIRST step is to:
A. Notify OSHA
B. Call 811 for utility locates
C. Set up traffic control
D. Obtain soil borings
Answer: B.
Explanation: State law requires notifying the one-call system (811) before any
excavation to mark underground facilities.
2. The legal minimum time to wait after making a routine 811 locate request
(non-emergency) before digging is typically:
A. Immediately
B. 1 hour
C. 3 business days
D. 30 days
Answer: C.
Explanation: Standard window allows utilities time to mark; always verify
current ticket timelines in your area.
3. White paint/flags in utility marking indicate:
A. Sewer
B. Water
C. Proposed excavation
D. Electric
Answer: C.
Explanation: White = proposed excavation. (APWA color code.)
4. Blue utility marks indicate:
A. Potable water
B. Reclaimed water
C. Telecom
D. Gas
Answer: A.
Explanation: Blue = potable water lines.
5. Yellow marks indicate:
A. Storm sewer
B. Gas/oil
,C. Electric
D. Survey
Answer: B.
Explanation: Yellow = gas, oil, steam, petroleum.
6. Red marks indicate:
A. Electric power
B. Communications
C. Temporary survey
D. Sanitary sewer
Answer: A.
Explanation: Red = electric.
7. Green marks indicate:
A. Reclaimed water
B. Sewer and drain lines
C. Fiber optic
D. Private irrigation
Answer: B.
Explanation: Green = sanitary/storm sewers and drains.
8. Purple marks indicate:
A. Reclaimed water/irrigation
B. Private lighting
C. CATV
D. Abandoned lines
Answer: A.
Explanation: Purple = reclaimed water/reuse.
9. Orange marks indicate:
A. CATV/communications
B. Electric
C. Gas
D. Survey
Answer: A.
Explanation: Orange = communications, CATV, fiber.
10. Pink marks indicate:
A. Temporary survey
B. Private utilities
C. Explosive lines
D. Traffic control
Answer: A.
Explanation: Pink = temporary survey markings.
,11. In Type C soil, the maximum allowable trench sidewall slope (no shoring,
no shield) up to 20 ft deep is approximately:
A. ½:1 (34°)
B. 1:1 (45°)
C. 1½:1 (34°)
D. 3:1 (18°)
Answer: C.
Explanation: OSHA permits 1.5H:1V (≈34°) for Type C when sloping is used.
12. A trench is considered an “excavation” when its depth is:
A. More than 2 ft
B. More than 4 ft
C. Any man-made cut in earth
D. More than 6 ft
Answer: C.
Explanation: Excavation = any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression.
13. Atmospheric testing is required in trenches greater than:
A. 2 ft
B. 4 ft
C. 5 ft
D. 20 ft
Answer: B.
Explanation: At >4 ft and where hazardous atmospheres could exist, test before
entry; ladders required at 4 ft+ too.
14. A ladder in a trench must extend above the landing by at least:
A. 6 in
B. 12 in
C. 3 ft
D. Flush is fine
Answer: C.
Explanation: OSHA: ladder must extend ≥3 ft above the top.
15. The maximum spacing between egress points (ladders/ramps) in trenches 4
ft or deeper is:
A. 25 ft
B. 50 ft
C. 100 ft
D. 150 ft
Answer: B.
Explanation: Workers should not have to travel more than 25 ft laterally to an
exit—commonly summarized as 50 ft between ladders.
, 16. A “competent person” on an excavation site is someone who:
A. Is the most senior employee
B. Can identify hazards and has authority to correct them
C. Holds a PE license
D. Is the site owner
Answer: B.
Explanation: Competent person = identifies hazards and can take corrective
action.
17. The purpose of a trench box is to:
A. Prevent soil movement
B. Protect workers from cave-ins
C. Dewater the trench
D. Provide fall protection
Answer: B.
Explanation: Shields protect personnel even if walls fail.
18. Backfill around PVC water mains should generally be:
A. Large cobbles
B. Frozen soil
C. Granular material free of sharp objects
D. Peat
Answer: C.
Explanation: Prevents pipe damage and ensures uniform support.
19. Thrust blocks on pressure water mains are placed at:
A. Straight pipe runs only
B. Valves only
C. Bends, tees, and dead ends
D. Service taps
Answer: C.
Explanation: Resist hydraulic thrust at fittings.
20. Minimum cover over a typical municipal water main in cold climates is
often:
A. 12 in
B. 18 in
C. 5–6 ft to below frost depth
D. 2 in
Answer: C.
Explanation: Protects from freezing; actual depth per local standard drawings.
21. Hydrostatic testing of new water mains usually requires holding test
pressure for about:
A. Notify OSHA
B. Call 811 for utility locates
C. Set up traffic control
D. Obtain soil borings
Answer: B.
Explanation: State law requires notifying the one-call system (811) before any
excavation to mark underground facilities.
2. The legal minimum time to wait after making a routine 811 locate request
(non-emergency) before digging is typically:
A. Immediately
B. 1 hour
C. 3 business days
D. 30 days
Answer: C.
Explanation: Standard window allows utilities time to mark; always verify
current ticket timelines in your area.
3. White paint/flags in utility marking indicate:
A. Sewer
B. Water
C. Proposed excavation
D. Electric
Answer: C.
Explanation: White = proposed excavation. (APWA color code.)
4. Blue utility marks indicate:
A. Potable water
B. Reclaimed water
C. Telecom
D. Gas
Answer: A.
Explanation: Blue = potable water lines.
5. Yellow marks indicate:
A. Storm sewer
B. Gas/oil
,C. Electric
D. Survey
Answer: B.
Explanation: Yellow = gas, oil, steam, petroleum.
6. Red marks indicate:
A. Electric power
B. Communications
C. Temporary survey
D. Sanitary sewer
Answer: A.
Explanation: Red = electric.
7. Green marks indicate:
A. Reclaimed water
B. Sewer and drain lines
C. Fiber optic
D. Private irrigation
Answer: B.
Explanation: Green = sanitary/storm sewers and drains.
8. Purple marks indicate:
A. Reclaimed water/irrigation
B. Private lighting
C. CATV
D. Abandoned lines
Answer: A.
Explanation: Purple = reclaimed water/reuse.
9. Orange marks indicate:
A. CATV/communications
B. Electric
C. Gas
D. Survey
Answer: A.
Explanation: Orange = communications, CATV, fiber.
10. Pink marks indicate:
A. Temporary survey
B. Private utilities
C. Explosive lines
D. Traffic control
Answer: A.
Explanation: Pink = temporary survey markings.
,11. In Type C soil, the maximum allowable trench sidewall slope (no shoring,
no shield) up to 20 ft deep is approximately:
A. ½:1 (34°)
B. 1:1 (45°)
C. 1½:1 (34°)
D. 3:1 (18°)
Answer: C.
Explanation: OSHA permits 1.5H:1V (≈34°) for Type C when sloping is used.
12. A trench is considered an “excavation” when its depth is:
A. More than 2 ft
B. More than 4 ft
C. Any man-made cut in earth
D. More than 6 ft
Answer: C.
Explanation: Excavation = any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression.
13. Atmospheric testing is required in trenches greater than:
A. 2 ft
B. 4 ft
C. 5 ft
D. 20 ft
Answer: B.
Explanation: At >4 ft and where hazardous atmospheres could exist, test before
entry; ladders required at 4 ft+ too.
14. A ladder in a trench must extend above the landing by at least:
A. 6 in
B. 12 in
C. 3 ft
D. Flush is fine
Answer: C.
Explanation: OSHA: ladder must extend ≥3 ft above the top.
15. The maximum spacing between egress points (ladders/ramps) in trenches 4
ft or deeper is:
A. 25 ft
B. 50 ft
C. 100 ft
D. 150 ft
Answer: B.
Explanation: Workers should not have to travel more than 25 ft laterally to an
exit—commonly summarized as 50 ft between ladders.
, 16. A “competent person” on an excavation site is someone who:
A. Is the most senior employee
B. Can identify hazards and has authority to correct them
C. Holds a PE license
D. Is the site owner
Answer: B.
Explanation: Competent person = identifies hazards and can take corrective
action.
17. The purpose of a trench box is to:
A. Prevent soil movement
B. Protect workers from cave-ins
C. Dewater the trench
D. Provide fall protection
Answer: B.
Explanation: Shields protect personnel even if walls fail.
18. Backfill around PVC water mains should generally be:
A. Large cobbles
B. Frozen soil
C. Granular material free of sharp objects
D. Peat
Answer: C.
Explanation: Prevents pipe damage and ensures uniform support.
19. Thrust blocks on pressure water mains are placed at:
A. Straight pipe runs only
B. Valves only
C. Bends, tees, and dead ends
D. Service taps
Answer: C.
Explanation: Resist hydraulic thrust at fittings.
20. Minimum cover over a typical municipal water main in cold climates is
often:
A. 12 in
B. 18 in
C. 5–6 ft to below frost depth
D. 2 in
Answer: C.
Explanation: Protects from freezing; actual depth per local standard drawings.
21. Hydrostatic testing of new water mains usually requires holding test
pressure for about:
