How far should the cordon be placed from a trench in each direction?

• A. 50 ft (15 m)
• B. 100 ft (30 m)
• C. 200 ft (60 m)
• D. 10 m

Answer: (B)

Maintaining a safety buffer around a trench is essential to protect everyone on scene and to give rescuers room to work. The cordon serves as an exclusion zone that prevents bystanders and nonessential personnel from entering the danger area and keeps traffic and equipment from encroaching on the operation.

A standard practice is to establish the cordon at about 100 feet (30 meters) on all sides of the trench. This distance provides a practical, consistent buffer that accommodates rescue staging, apparatus placement, and a margin for ground movement or minor collapses without unduly hampering the operation. It also aligns with common fire service trench guidelines for maintaining safe distances while responders set up, assess the trench, and perform the rescue.

Smaller distances, like 50 feet or 10 meters, risk letting bystanders or equipment get too close to the trench, increasing exposure to collapse or ground movement. A much larger distance, such as 200 feet, can unnecessarily hinder access and impede the operation.