How often should a ladder be placed in a trench according to safety standards?

The correct answer indicates that a ladder should be placed in a trench every 25 feet according to safety standards. This requirement is established to ensure that workers have a safe means of entering and exiting the trench, thereby minimizing the risk of falls and other accidents.

Trenches can pose significant hazards especially due to their depth and soil conditions, which can lead to cave-ins or slips. The 25-foot guideline is based on the premise that as a trench gets deeper, the need for a properly placed ladder becomes critical for maintaining worker safety. It ensures that workers have adequate means to access the trench quickly without long distances that could potentially impede escape in case of an emergency.

The other options present distances that exceed the recommended standard, which could compromise safety by increasing the risk of workers being unable to climb out quickly enough in case of an emergency situation.