The escape devices for a trench over 4 feet deep must be within a maximum of how many feet of the worker?

For trenches deeper than 4 feet, OSHA regulations stipulate that workers must have access to escape devices, such as ladders or steps, within a specified distance. The correct requirement is that these escape devices must be available within 25 feet of where workers are located. This proximity enhances worker safety by ensuring that they can quickly and easily exit the trench in the event of an emergency, such as a collapse or other hazardous situations that may arise while working in deep trenches.

This regulation is crucial since deeper trenches pose a higher risk of cave-ins and other dangers, and having an escape device within 25 feet allows workers to respond swiftly, potentially saving lives and reducing injuries on the job site. It's important to understand that safety measures like this are established to comply with health and safety standards and to mitigate risks in construction environments.