Final answer:
Means of egress must be within 25 lateral feet of employees in trenches 4 feet deep or more, following OSHA regulations for trench safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a trench is 4 feet or more in depth, a means of egress from the trench must be within 25 lateral feet of employees in the trench. This safety requirement is mandated by organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure that workers can quickly and safely exit a trench in the event of an emergency. Providing adequate egress options, which could include ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of exiting, is essential for trench safety and helps to prevent accidents and injuries on construction sites.