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What you need to know

Working in and around trenches exposes you to significant hazards such as falls, falling loads, mobile equipment incidents, and cave-ins. Conditions can change rapidly, making it critical to have a plan for exiting the trench. Your survival may depend on how quickly you can locate an egress and climb out. Here are some quick tips and requirements for trench egress.

Safety tips and requirements for trench egress:

  • Never enter a trench that has not been inspected by a competent person, is not properly protected, or does not have adequate egress. 
  • If a trench is 4 feet deep or greater, ladders, stairways, ramps or other safe means of egress must be provided.
Trench with ladder positioned for egress

Ladders:

  • If ladders are used, they must extend 3 feet above the edge of the trench.
  • Ladders should be secured in place.
  • Ladders or other means of egress must be positioned within 25 lateral feet of workers. This could require multiple ladders depending on the length of the trench and position of workers.
  • If a trench is 5 feet deep or greater, ensure ladders are located within approved trench protective systems.

Ramps:

  • If structural ramps are used, they:
    • Must be designed by a competent person
    • Should be uniform thickness and joined to prevent trip and falls
    • Should have non-slip surfaces
  • Earthen ramps can only be used if designed and evaluated by a competent person and allow the worker to walk in an upright position.

Why trench safety matters

Working within trenches can pose significant hazards workers. Annual fatalities have increased from an average of 21 per year from 2011-2018 to 39 in 2022 alone,2 with construction accounting for more than 80% of those deaths.1

Understand the hazards and know basic egress components that should be in place before you enter a trench.
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More resources

Supplement this talk: Trenching and excavation safety 

More on this topic: Safeguarding workers during trenching and excavation operations

Construction resources: Construction Risk Management
[1] National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Trenching and Excavation Safety. February 23, 2024.
[2] U.S. Department of Labor. State Agencies, Industry Leaders Launch Campaign to Educate Workers of Deadly Excavation Hazards. 

The information included is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided.