Is laying a few planks over a trench when continually crossing an excavation on a construction site okay?
The answer depends on the size of the excavation hole. If the excavation is over six feet in depth and 30 inches or more in width, walkways or bridges with standard guardrails must be provided when employees or equipment are required or permitted to cross over an excavation.
OSHA considers crossing narrow trenches (30 inches or less in width) without a walkway with guardrails to be de minimis condition.
De minimis is defined as follows; so small or minimal in difference that it does not matter or the law does not take it into consideration.
