- Certified Irrigation Technician Safety, Tools, and Documentation Flashcards

OSHA regulations require that a trench deeper than what depth must have cave-in protection (shoring, sloping, or trench box)?

Answer: 5 feet

OSHA requires that trenches 5 feet or deeper must have cave-in protection systems in place, such as sloping, benching, shoring, or trench shields, unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock.

A catch can test (irrigation audit) is performed to determine:

Answer: The distribution uniformity and actual precipitation rate of an installed irrigation zone

A catch can test places collection containers at a grid pattern across an irrigation zone, runs the zone for a measured time, and measures the water collected in each container. This data reveals the actual precipitation rate and distribution uniformity of the zone.

When documenting an irrigation system warranty, which information should be included?

Answer: Installation date, component warranty periods, maintenance requirements, system specifications, and conditions that void the warranty

A comprehensive warranty document should include the installation date, warranty duration for different components, required maintenance schedule (that the owner must follow to keep the warranty valid), system specifications, and any conditions that would void the warranty.

When a technician encounters a gas line while hand digging near a utility mark, the correct action is to:

Answer: Stop work immediately, do not touch the line, and contact the utility company

If a gas line is exposed or suspected during excavation, the technician must stop work immediately, avoid any contact with the line, keep all personnel away from the area, and contact the gas utility company. Damaging a gas line can cause explosions, fires, and fatalities.

A soil probe is used in irrigation work primarily to:

Answer: Check soil moisture depth, root zone depth, and identify soil layers or compaction

A soil probe (push probe or sampling tube) is inserted into the ground to check how deep moisture has penetrated after irrigation, evaluate root zone depth, and identify soil compaction layers or changes in soil type that affect water infiltration.

What information should be recorded on the irrigation controller's programming chart (typically inside the controller door)?

Answer: All programs, start times, zone run times, watering days, seasonal adjust settings, and sensor status for each program

The programming chart should document every aspect of the controller's settings so any technician can understand and verify the programming without scrolling through menus. This includes all programs, start times, zone assignments, run times, and sensor settings.