Excavated soil and rock must be stored at least ________ from the edge of an excavation.

• A. 1 foot
• B. 2 feet
• C. 3 feet
• D. 4 feet

Answer: (B)

The key idea is keeping a safe buffer between where excavated material is stored and the edge of the trench. Soil and rock near the trench edge can slip or cave in, especially when heavy equipment moves nearby or workers step close to the edge. Storing spoil at a reasonable distance helps prevent material from pushing into the trench and reduces the risk of a collapse affecting people inside or near the trench.

Two feet provides a practical, commonly used safety margin. It gives enough room for machinery, foot traffic, and shoring work without wasting excessive space. A smaller distance, like one foot, offers less protection and increases the chance of material encroaching on the edge. Larger distances, while safer, are often unnecessary for typical jobs and can hinder workflow.