Plumber Red Seal · Question
A plumber is called to repair a broken water main in a trench that is 1.8 metres deep, 1.0 metre wide, and 5 metres long. The soil is visibly unstable, with signs of previous disturbance. What is the immediate safety priority before entering the trench?
For trenches exceeding 1.2 metres in depth (and especially with unstable soil), adequate shoring or sloping is mandatory to prevent trench collapse, which poses
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Question: A plumber is called to repair a broken water main in a trench that is 1.8 metres deep, 1.0 metre wide, and 5 metres long. The soil is visibly unstable, with signs of previous disturbance. What is the immediate safety priority before entering the trench?
Answer options:
- Install a ladder for access/egress
- Obtain a hot work permit ✅ Ensure shoring or sloping is in place
- Begin dewatering operations
Correct answer: Ensure shoring or sloping is in place
Explanation: For trenches exceeding 1.2 metres in depth (and especially with unstable soil), adequate shoring or sloping is mandatory to prevent trench collapse, which poses an immediate and severe life-threatening hazard. While a ladder is necessary for safe access, collapsing walls are a more critical and immediate concern in this scenario.
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