What is required when the depth of a trench reaches 1.2 meters?

When the depth of a trench reaches 1.2 meters, it is essential to implement shoring to ensure the safety of workers and prevent cave-ins. Shoring involves reinforcing the sides of the trench with supports or structural systems to stabilize the walls and provide a safe working environment. This is particularly crucial because deeper trenches pose a higher risk of collapse, which can lead to dangerous situations for workers who are excavating or performing tasks within the trench.

Regulatory standards and safety guidelines often mandate that trenches deeper than specific depths be shored, sloped, or otherwise protected to ensure the safety of personnel. While other options may have their own importance in construction context—like safety signage to inform workers about risks, drainage systems to manage water, and insulation for temperature control—they do not specifically address the immediate safety concerns associated with trench depth. Hence, shoring is the critical requirement when dealing with a trench exceeding 1.2 meters in depth.