Trench Spoil Pile Setback and Surcharge

Required spoil-pile setback (the larger of the OSHA 2 ft minimum and the depth-based surcharge), the pile toe spread, and the total clear distance from the trench edge.

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Formula and source

base_halfwidth = spoil_height / tan(repose); setback = max(min_setback, trench_depth); total_clear = setback + base_halfwidth.

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(j) (2 ft spoil setback) and Subpart P (protective systems) by name; first-principles geometry.

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