According to OSHA regulations, how deep must trenches be shored or sloped?

Trenches that are deeper than six feet require shoring or sloping according to OSHA regulations to ensure the safety of workers. This requirement is crucial because as trench depth increases, the risk of collapse also escalates. Trenches that exceed this depth are considered to have a higher potential for safety hazards, making it essential to implement protective systems, such as shoring (using supports to prevent cave-ins) or sloping (cutting back the trench wall to lessen the angle of the wall), to safeguard the workers involved in excavations.

Selecting a depth less than six feet, such as three, four, or eight feet, does not meet the stipulated criteria set forth by OSHA. Lower depths might still pose risks, but the defined regulation mandates that any trench deeper than six feet necessitates specific protective measures due to the increased risk associated with these deeper excavations.