In trenches of five feet or greater, what is required?

• A. A protective system must be in place
• B. A permit from OSHA
• C. Daily weather monitoring
• D. A second supervisor on site

Answer: (A)

In trenches five feet deep or more, a protective system must be in place to prevent cave-ins and protect workers. OSHA requires that an appropriate protective system—such as shielding (trench boxes), sloping of the sides, or shoring—be used whenever the excavation exceeds this depth. The system must be designed by a qualified person based on soil conditions, installed before anyone enters, and inspected daily by a competent person for stability and changes in conditions like water accumulation or rain.

This focus on a protective system is why the other options don’t fit. There isn’t a separate OSHA permit process for trenches, daily weather monitoring isn’t a standalone requirement for trench safety, and having a second supervisor on site isn’t mandated by trench depth. The core obligation is to have a protective system in place.