Massachusetts Hoisting License Practice Test

What is the safest method to rescue a buried worker in a trench?

1. Use a mechanical digger

2. Hand dig around the worker

3. Pull the worker out with ropes

4. Drop a safety harness to them

The correct answer is: Hand dig around the worker

The safest method to rescue a buried worker in a trench is to hand dig around the worker. This approach allows for careful and controlled removal of soil, reducing the risk of further collapse that could harm both the worker trapped inside the trench and the rescuer. Hand digging ensures that the integrity of the trench walls is maintained while providing a direct and safe means to reach the buried individual. Using a mechanical digger, while faster, poses a significant risk of collapsing surrounding soil, potentially worsening the situation for the trapped worker. Pulling the worker out with ropes can also be dangerous, as it may exert sudden force on the person trapped, possibly leading to injuries. Dropping a safety harness can be helpful, but it does not address the immediate need to safely reach and free the worker without risking additional injury from soil movement. Therefore, hand digging is the most reliable and safest option for this scenario.