According to OSHA, materials or equipment posing hazards must be kept how many feet away from the edge of excavations?

The correct distance for keeping materials or equipment posing hazards away from the edge of excavations, as specified by OSHA standards, is two feet. This requirement is in place to ensure safety and prevent accidents, such as materials falling into the excavation or people tripping over the items.

By maintaining this distance, the risk of shifting earth or unexpected ground movement that could occur near an excavation site is greatly minimized. The two-foot buffer acts as a precautionary measure, offering a margin of safety between the edge of the excavation and any materials or equipment that might be in use on a construction site. This approach reflects best practices in workplace safety and emphasizes the importance of preventing potential hazards related to excavation work.