Question

there are ways to protect yourself when excavating. which of the following is a way to protect yourself when working around excavations? select the best option. slope or bench the sides of the excavation and support the sides of the excavation. have another employee declare the excavation safe. support systems, shield systems, or other protective systems should be used only when the excavation is 10 feet in depth or deeper. place a shield outside the work area.

Explanation:

Sloping or benching the sides of an excavation and supporting them is a standard safety practice. Having another employee declare it safe is not a proper safety measure (a qualified person should assess). Support systems should be used based on soil conditions etc., not just depth. Placing a shield outside the work area doesn't protect within the excavation.

Answer:

Slope or bench the sides of the excavation and support the sides of the excavation.