How far can you dig below the bottom edge of the safety box in a trench?

How far can you dig below the bottom edge of the safety box in a trench?

• A. 2 feet
• B. 1-1/2 feet
• C. 2-1/2 feet
• D. 1 foot

Answer: (A)

Trench safety relies on the protective trench box to shield workers from cave-ins. The box protects a limited zone, and digging deeper than the bottom edge of the box compromises that protection. The maximum distance you can dig below the bottom edge is two feet. If deeper excavation is needed, you must remove the box and use an appropriate protective method (like proper shoring or sloping) designed for deeper work. The other depths either stay within the limit or go beyond it, but the safe maximum is two feet.

Trench safety relies on the protective trench box to shield workers from cave-ins. The box protects a limited zone, and digging deeper than the bottom edge of the box compromises that protection. The maximum distance you can dig below the bottom edge is two feet. If deeper excavation is needed, you must remove the box and use an appropriate protective method (like proper shoring or sloping) designed for deeper work. The other depths either stay within the limit or go beyond it, but the safe maximum is two feet.