At what depth must a trench require protective measures?

Trenches pose a significant safety hazard due to the risk of cave-ins, especially as they become deeper. The requirement for protective measures, such as shoring or trench boxes, is typically mandated to ensure the safety of workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specifies that protective measures must be implemented for trenches that are 5 feet deep or more. This threshold is critical because the likelihood of soil collapse increases significantly at this depth, making it essential to take preventative measures to protect workers from the serious hazards associated with trenching operations. Thus, for any trench that reaches or exceeds 5 feet in depth, protective measures are necessary to maintain a safe working environment.