For trenches deeper than 4 feet, a ladder must be placed every how many feet?

In construction safety, particularly with respect to trenching and excavations, regulations are designed to prevent accidents and ensure worker safety. For trenches that exceed a depth of 4 feet, a ladder is required to provide a safe means of entering and exiting the trench.

The correct requirement is that a ladder must be placed at least every 25 feet along the trench. This specification is critical because it ensures that workers have a safe and accessible way to exit the trench quickly in case of an emergency. The longer distance between ladders is permissible because workers in a trench should ideally be able to reach a ladder quickly without the risk of injury from extended periods in the trench without a means of egress.

Establishing regular intervals for ladders is essential, particularly in deeper trenches where the hazards increase, including potential cave-ins. This standard is in accordance with safety regulations that prioritize easy access and safe working conditions, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and promoting the overall safety of workers on site.