Shoring must protrude _____ above the top of the excavation?

Shoring must protrude _____ above the top of the excavation?

• A. 3 feet
• B. 24 inches
• C. 18 inches
• D. 1 foot

Answer: (C)

Shoring is used to keep trench walls from cave­ing in while workers are inside. To work safely, the protective system must extend above the trench opening enough to allow installation, adjustment, and removal of the shoring from the surface without having personnel inside the trench. Eighteen inches provides that minimum clearance and helps prevent material from falling into the trench while the shoring is being set up or adjusted. The other options are either more or less than this standard minimum, but the required extension is eighteen inches.

Shoring is used to keep trench walls from cave­ing in while workers are inside. To work safely, the protective system must extend above the trench opening enough to allow installation, adjustment, and removal of the shoring from the surface without having personnel inside the trench. Eighteen inches provides that minimum clearance and helps prevent material from falling into the trench while the shoring is being set up or adjusted. The other options are either more or less than this standard minimum, but the required extension is eighteen inches.