If a supervisor states that only protection from the sides of a trench is necessary, is he correct?

The assertion that only protection from the sides of a trench is necessary is not adequate or correct. Trench safety regulations require protection not just from the sides, but also from the vertical walls of the trench. This is crucial because a trench can easily collapse, potentially leading to serious injuries or fatalities for workers involved in excavation.

In terms of safety measures, all trench walls must be protected regardless of the trench's depth or length. Protection can take the form of sloping, benching, or using trench boxes or shields, depending on the specific characteristics of the soil and the trench itself. This comprehensive approach ensures that workers are safeguarded from cave-ins or falls when they are working within or near the trench.

Therefore, when a supervisor claims that only protection from the sides is necessary, it overlooks the entire scope of trench safety, which mandates protection from all potential hazards related to vertical walls and the overall environment of the excavation site.