Massachusetts Hoisting License Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Keeping materials back from the edge of a trench is crucial for ensuring safety and preventing cave-ins. The standard requirement is to maintain a distance of at least two feet from the edge of the trench. This distance helps to minimize the risk of weight from the materials contributing to soil instability, which can lead to a trench collapse. The regulation is designed to protect workers in the trench as well as those working nearby from potential hazards associated with falling materials.

This two-foot requirement is a common safety measure enforced in construction and excavation operations. It ensures that the load from the stored materials does not exert excessive pressure on the trench walls, allowing for a safer work environment.