Ladder safety regarding trenching: For trenches 4' or greater, which statement is true?

• A. Any trench 4' or greater requires a ladder with access to that ladder within 25'
• B. Ladders are not required
• C. A guardrail is sufficient
• D. A ladder is required only for trenches over 8'

Answer: (A)

In trench safety, once a trench is four feet deep or more, you must provide a safe means of egress so workers can reach the surface quickly. That means installing a ladder (or another approved exit like a stairway or ramp) and ensuring no worker is more than 25 feet from that exit. This rule is in place to reduce the risk of getting trapped or overwhelmed if the trench caves in or a worker needs to escape quickly.

So the statement that any trench four feet or greater requires a ladder with access to that ladder within 25 feet reflects this requirement exactly. Ladders aren’t optional for shallow trenches; egress is required for four feet and deeper, and a guardrail alone doesn’t provide a means of exit. The rule isn’t about eight feet or more; it applies at four feet.