Question

At what depth does an employer need to use a protection system to ensure the safety of workers in a trench or excavation?

Answer 1

The answer is explained below.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Trenching and Excavation Safety, published by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, we can find the following:

"OSHA requires employers to provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. The means of egress must be located so as not to require workers to travel more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) laterally within the trench."

Due to this, the answers are 4 feet and 25 feet.