Massachusetts Hoisting License Practice Test

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What is the allowable angle for sloping trench walls in Type C soil?

Vertical Walls
1:1 or 45 degrees
3:1 or 18 degrees
4:1 or 14 degrees

The correct answer is: 3:1 or 18 degrees

In the context of trench safety, particularly in Type C soil, the allowable angle for sloping trench walls is set to ensure stability and reduce the risk of cave-ins. In Type C soil, which is characterized as the least stable and tends to be granular or silty, the recommended slope is 1:1 or 45 degrees for a more favorable condition, but if we consider typical excavation practices as defined by OSHA guidelines, a 3:1 slope, or approximately 18 degrees, is often used for Type C soil. This means that for every 3 units of horizontal distance, the trench wall should rise up 1 unit vertically. This gentle slope helps to distribute the weight of the soil and reduce pressure against the walls, thus enhancing safety. Trenches with a slope of 3:1 provide a balance between site safety and practicality for workers operating within that space. Understanding this acceptable slope is vital for ensuring the safety of construction operations and workers in trenching environments, particularly in soils classified as Type C, where the risk of collapses is higher without proper sloping practices.