OSHA 1926.651(c)(2): ladders and egress in trenches
Under 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2), a trench 4 feet or more deep must have a stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress located so that no employee has to travel more than 25 feet laterally to reach it.
Official text
(c)(2) Means of egress from trench excavations. A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.Read the full section on eCFR
(b)(1) When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support.Read the full section on eCFR
What it requires, in plain English
- The rule applies to trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 m) or more deep.
- A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress is within 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for every employee in the trench.
- A portable ladder used to climb out has side rails extending at least 3 feet above the landing, or is secured at the top with a grasping device provided.
Where it shows up on site
- A long utility trench with one ladder at the far end
- A ladder stopping below the top of the trench wall
- Workers climbing out on the trench box or shoring
Verify on site before you call it
A photo rarely shows every fact a standard depends on. Confirm these in person before treating the condition as a violation:
- How deep is the trench where employees are working?
- How far do workers have to travel along the trench to reach a ladder, ramp or stair?
- Does the ladder extend at least 3 feet above the top, or is it secured with a grasping device?
- Is the excavation a trench, meaning narrow in relation to its length, under the 1926.650(b) definition?
Typical corrective actions
- Place additional ladders or ramps so no worker is more than 25 feet of lateral travel from egress.
- Extend or replace ladders so the side rails reach at least 3 feet above the top of the trench.
- Move egress points forward as the trench advances.
- Have the competent person confirm egress during the daily inspection.
Common questions
How deep does a trench have to be before OSHA requires a ladder?
Under 1926.651(c)(2), a stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress is required in trench excavations 4 feet or more in depth.
How far apart do ladders need to be in a trench?
The rule is written as travel distance: egress must be located so employees travel no more than 25 feet laterally to reach it. In practice, ladders are spaced so every work location in the trench is within that distance.
Turn the observation into a notice
Record what the photo shows, confirm the on-site checks above, and identify the responsible company and due date. Use the fillable construction safety notice template or follow aworked example from observation to verified fix. Cirqify can draft the notice from your circled photo for you to review.
Related standards
This guide summarizes federal OSHA construction standards for general information. It is not legal advice. States with their own OSHA-approved plans may set different or additional requirements; see federal and state coverage.