Aluminum forms as trench-excavation egress

May 11, 2004 [Reviewed November 22, 2017]

Charles O. Engelken

Wall-Ties & Forms, Inc.

[Recipient address omitted]

Re: Use of aluminum forms as a means of egress [exit route] from trench excavations.

Dear Mr. Engelken:

This is in response to your June 16, 2003, letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in which you asked whether using aluminum forms to climb out of trench excavations is considered an "other safe means of egress" under 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2). Unfortunately, your letter was not forwarded from OSHA's Regional Office to us until December 24, 2003; we apologize for the delay in responding.

We have paraphrased your question below:

Question: Our residential construction workers are using aluminum forms as an alternative means of egress from trench excavations. Does this method of egress meet OSHA's requirements under §1926.651(c)(2)?

Answer:

No. Section 1926.651(c)(2) states:

(c) Access and egress--

*** (2) Means of egress from trench excavations. A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.

The photographs included in your letter indicate that workers are using aluminum forms as a means of egress from trench excavations in two different manners. In the first method, the workers lean the form against the sloped side of the trench and climb up the stiffeners and step out onto the bank. In the second, the workers ascend an assembled (vertical) form, place one foot on the opposite side of the trench (the bank), and then subsequently step across with the other foot; these are pictured below:

Both manners of using aluminum forms as a means of egress fail to meet the intent of the standard. The preamble to Subpart P (Excavations) states that "[T]his requirement [29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2)] is intended to provide employees working down in a trench with a safe means of escape in case of an emergency." (54 FR 45918, October 31, 1989.)

The photographs indicate that the stiffener only provides space for the tip of a worker's boot. This insufficient tread depth enhances the potential for tripping, slipping, or falling while trying to climb out of the trench in an emergency.

A slipping, tripping, or falling risk is further compounded by the worker having to step from a vertical form across to the bank. The photographs illustrate the worker precariously stepping onto the bank while straddling the trench. In particular, in a time of emergency (for example, a cave-in), the use of a form in this manner would not provide a safe means of egress as required by §1926.651(c)(2), which contemplates a means of egress that permits a quick and easy means of escape in case of an emergency.

If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us by fax at: U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Directorate of Construction, Office of Construction Standards and Guidance, fax # 202-693-1689. You can also contact us by mail at the above office, Room N3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, although there will be a delay in our receiving correspondence by mail.

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. We hope you find this information helpful. OSHA requirements are set by statue, standards, and regulations. Our letters of interpretation do not create new or additional requirement but rather explain these requirements and how they apply to a particular circumstances. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. From time to time, letters are affected when the Agency updates a standard, a legal decision impact a standard, or changes in technology affect the interpretation. To assure that you are using the correct information and guidance, please consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the Directorate of Construction at (202) 693-2020.*

Sincerely,

Russell B. Swanson, Director

Directorate of Construction

*[This letter has been modified (non-substantive changes) on November 22, 2017, and reflects current OSHA regulations and policies .]