Guarded walkways over narrow excavations

August 10, 1995
George S. Kennedy, CSP
Director of Safety
National Utility Contractors Association
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Kennedy:
This is in response to your letter of April 18 requesting an interpretation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards addressing fall protection where employees are required or permitted to cross over excavations.
With regard to the minimum width an excavation must be before §1926.651(l)(1) applies, please be advised that OSHA concurs with California's regulation (§1541(l)(1)) addressing this issue. The Agency considers crossing narrow trenches (30 inches or less in width) without a walkway with guardrails to be a de minimis condition. Therefore, walkways or bridges with standard guardrails must be provided when employees or equipment are required or permitted to cross over excavations only when the excavation is 6 feet or more in depth and wider than 30 inches at the top.
If we can be of any further assistance, please contact me or Mr. Dale R. Cavanaugh of my staff at (202) 219-8136.
Sincerely,
Roy F. Gurnham, P.E., J.D.
Director
[Directorate of Construction]
[Correction 7/23/2003]