Title: Access, Egress & Hazard Controls
Type: Lesson
Even with protection in place, trenches remain hazardous. Workers need safe access, constant hazard awareness, and proper control measures to prevent accidents inside or around the trench.
If a trench is 4 feet or deeper, it must have:
Ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of access and egress
Located within 25 feet of all workers
Secure and stable (not makeshift or leaning)
Ladders must extend 3 feet above the trench edge
Egress points must be in place before workers enter the trench.
Spoil piles and heavy machinery:
Must be placed at least 2 feet from the edge of the trench
Can add weight to trench walls and cause collapse if too close
Must never hang over the edge or block access
To prevent workers or equipment from falling in:
Use barricades, fencing, or guardrails around open trenches
Place warning signs and lights for night work
Maintain clear walkways and visibility near trenches
Water control: Use pumps or drainage systems to remove standing water
Atmospheric testing: Required if there’s a risk of low oxygen or hazardous gases
No unauthorized entry: Only trained and designated workers should enter a trench
Trench inspections must be done daily and after any hazard event (e.g. rain, collapse, equipment nearby)
Even short trips into a trench can turn deadly without proper access and hazard controls. Never enter a trench without an exit plan — and protection in place.
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 6: Inspections and Competent Person Requirements, where we’ll focus on daily inspections, hazard recognition, and who is qualified to oversee trench safety.