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Excavations vs. Trenches: Definitions and the Scale of the Hazard
![OSHA defines a trench as a narrow excavation whose depth exceeds its width and whose bottom width does not exceed 15 feet [S1].](https://bxrxfocynnbydoqfrllm.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/buildrightacademy-cdn/courses/03966380-0bbf-4931-9e9f-bdfccf2d8aa9.png)
A trench wall can collapse suddenly and without warning. Workers at the bottom have no time to move out of the way. A single cubic yard of soil weighs over 3,000 pounds — equivalent to a compact car — and is enough to fatally crush and suffocate a person [S4].
✓ Knowledge Check
According to OSHA's definition, which of the following correctly describes a trench?
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