An excavation is 12 feet deep in Type B soil. A protective system using hydraulic shoring is installed. What is the maximum allowable horizontal spacing between the shoring systems?
Correct Answer
B) 8 feet
For hydraulic shoring systems in Type B soil at depths up to 20 feet, OSHA allows maximum horizontal spacing of 8 feet between individual shoring units to ensure adequate soil support and worker protection.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 specifies that hydraulic shoring systems in Type B soil can have a maximum horizontal spacing of 8 feet between individual shoring units for excavations up to 20 feet deep. This spacing ensures adequate lateral support to prevent soil movement and cave-ins while maintaining structural integrity of the protective system. The 8-foot spacing strikes the proper balance between worker safety and construction efficiency for this soil type and depth range.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 10 feet
6 feet spacing, while safe, is more restrictive than what OSHA allows for hydraulic shoring in Type B soil at this depth range.
Option C: 6 feet
10 feet spacing exceeds OSHA's maximum allowable horizontal spacing requirements and could result in inadequate soil support, creating unsafe conditions for workers in the excavation.
Option D: 4 feet
4 feet spacing is overly conservative and not required by OSHA standards for Type B soil with hydraulic shoring, which would result in unnecessary equipment costs and installation time.
Memory Technique
Think 'H8' - Hydraulic shoring = 8 feet maximum spacing for Type B soil
Reference Hint
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 - Requirements for protective systems, Table B-1 for hydraulic shoring specifications
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