Cordoned off area ______ ft in each direction from the trench.

• A. 100 ft
• B. 50 ft
• C. 150 ft
• D. 200 ft

Answer: (A)

Establishing a cordon around a trench creates a safety perimeter to protect people from cave-ins and other hazards associated with excavations. The area should extend a substantial distance in all directions to blunt the impact of a potential secondary collapse, soil movement, or debris that could be ejected or shift unexpectedly, as well as to keep bystanders and unnecessary equipment out of the danger zone.

A typical minimum distance used in many training scenarios is 100 feet in every direction. This buffer helps ensure rescuers can operate with space to set up a stable staging area, manage equipment, and respond to any shifting soil or atmospheric hazards without being compromised by a collapse or flying debris. Of course, the exact distance can be adjusted based on depth, soil type, water conditions, and nearby hazards, but 100 feet serves as a solid baseline to prioritize safety in trench operations.