1926.651(c)(2): Trench Exits Within 25 Feet
Employers must place a stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of exit in any trench 4 feet or more deep. Exits must be located so no worker has to travel more than 25 feet sideways to reach one, giving everyone in the trench a quick way out.
Key takeaways
- 1926.651(c)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 759 times in the last 3 years, in 737 inspections, with $6,459,364 in current penalties.
- 13 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (80), OH (41), FL (40).
- Related part: 1926.651(c) Access and egress (771 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2) ("Means of egress from trench excavations") is one requirement inside 1926.651 Specific excavation requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart P). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(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. 759 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.651.
Injuries linked to this rule
13 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.651(c)(2).
At 10:55 a.m. on February 17, 2025, Employee #1 was working in a 5.5-foot-wideby 7-foot-deep trench lubricating a water pipe for a water project. Employee #1 was tasked with preparing the water pipes so they could be connected. He kneeleddown to lubricate a pipe when…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 63 |
| 2024 | 267 |
| 2025 | 234 |
| 2026 | 195 |
Top states: TX (80), OH (41), FL (40), IL (37), PA (33)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $1,919,828 |
| WAGNER CONSTRUCTION INC | MINOT, ND | $773,440 |
| BLAZEY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC | ALVIN, TX | $165,514 |
| S&J DITCHING LLC AND JOHN COVEY INDIVIDUALLY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $88,728 |
| LACKO POURED WALLS, LLC | GROVE CITY, OH | $57,930 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.651(c)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Removing ladders during trenching activities; compliance with 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2). (2009-03-17)
- Evaluation of the use of aluminum forms as an exit route from trench excavations (2004-05-11)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.651(c) Access and egress 771 citations
- 1926.651(c)(1)(i) 9 citations
- 1926.651(c)(1) Structural ramps 9 citations
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Frequently asked questions
At what depth is a trench exit required?
At 4 feet or more.
How far can I be from a trench exit?
No more than 25 feet of lateral travel.
What counts as a safe exit?
A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.651 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.