Access and Egress
Worker safety may depend on how quickly they can climb out of an excavation. OSHA requires employers to provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper.
Will this worker escape if there's a major collapse?
- The means of egress must be located so as not to require workers to travel more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) laterally within the trench.
- Structural ramps used by workers to enter and exit the site must have non-slip surfaces and be designed by a competent person.
- Structural ramps used for access or egress of equipment must be designed by a competent person qualified in structural design.
- Structural members used for ramps or runways must be uniform in thickness and joined in a manner to prevent tripping or displacement.
- A competent person must also evaluate ramps made from soil that are used to enter and exit an excavation.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-3. The means of egress in a trench must be located within _____ laterally.
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