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In a trench 4 feet deep or more, how far may a worker have to walk to a ladder?

No more than 25 feet of lateral travel.

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  1. No more than 50 feet
  2. No more than 100 feet
  3. No more than 25 feet of lateral travel ✔

Why: 1926.651(c)(2) requires ladders, ramps, or stairs in trench excavations 4 feet deep or more so workers travel no more than 25 feet laterally.

Huh, didn't know that: The egress rule helps workers leave a trench quickly in an emergency.

The dad joke
Why did the ladder wait every 25 feet? It was ready for a quick exit.
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References

Answer: No more than 25 feet of lateral travel. 1926.651(c)(2) requires ladders, ramps, or stairs in trench excavations 4 feet deep or more so workers travel no more than 25 feet laterally.

  1. 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2) www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/1926.651
    A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations ... so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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