Choosing a Trench Safety System

Excavation has long been considered an extremely dangerous but necessary part of construction work. Anytime workers are below ground level they are at risk from cave-ins. A trench collapse can easily lead to suffocation and death within minutes, making a trench safety system imperative.

A properly designed trench box system can keep your workers safe and protect your company from the possibility of bankruptcy after expensive lawsuits if a worker is injured. Investing now in trench safety equipment like trench boxes, or shields as they are often called, is investing in the future of your company.

Choosing the Right Trench Box

When considering the right trench box for your particular job site there are many factors that need to be taken into account. You don’t want to put the money into a trench box only to find it doesn’t fit the requirements for the local conditions. Trench shields are built with varying wall thicknesses from three to eight inches thick. The first thing you will need to know to determine what thickness is right for you is what type of soil you are working with. Different soils weigh different amounts and you will need to know how much weight the trench safety system will need to support. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration also has different requirements based on the soil around the trench.

If you are working with a shallow trench and soil with a low unit weight you may find that trench boxes with a three-inch wall thickness are sufficient. Deeper trenches, heavier soils, and soil that has been previously excavated require thicker, stronger trench boxes. Typically wall thicknesses of four to six inches are sufficient for most trenches, however, some trenches may require a box with eight-inch-thick walls depending on the soil.

Stacking Boxes as a Trench Safety System

Very deep trenches may require multiple shields stack on top of each other to allow workers to access the bottom of the trench. Some trench shoring boxes are specifically designed for such work. If your trench is deeper than four feet you will also need to make sure there is a set egress point to allow workers to escape in the event of an emergency. Even if your company keeps some trench shields in the yard, large or deep trenches may require many more boxes to form a complete trench safety system. If this is the case, you may want to look into rental options rather than purchasing and then having to store a large number of trench boxes.

An alternative to trench boxes or shields is hydraulic shoring. Hydraulic shoring is usually much lighter and easier to install than trench boxes. However, if your trench is deeper than twelve feet or particularly wide trench boxes will likely prove to be the best option. Depending on the trench you may be able to combine hydraulic shoring with the trench boxes to allow your workers access to areas of tight fits, such as when working already existing utilities.

Regardless of the particular safety setup, you must always make sure that you are familiar with and up to date on current safety codes. If in doubt speak to a safety officer before renting or purchasing trench boxes to save yourself a great deal of money and many headaches.

The post Choosing a Trench Safety System appeared first on Trench Boxes for Sale | Trench Shoring Equipment Systems.

from https://trenchshoringboxes.com/choosing-trench-safety-system/

From https://trenchshoringboxes0.tumblr.com/post/156902231162

Where to Locate Some Great Steel Road Plate for Sale

Steel road plate is used by construction companies around the world to cover trenches, protect the road or in vertical shoring. They enable continued vehicle access during road works and excavations. The plates are secured to the ground by stakes at all four corners to prevent movement.  Some companies can also custom fabricate plates to meet specific job requirements and apply custom fabrication such as:

  • Specially requested grades of steel
  • Custom dimensions
  • Custom engraving (company name or job name etc.)
  • Lifting holes/slots in various dimensions

Types of Road Plates

Road plate is made of two types of materials, steel, and composite

Steel – Steel road plate is designed with the purpose of being able to provide heavy-duty durability on busy roads. Steel road plate is used when it is necessary to have a lane of the road closed. They are ideal for keeping lanes and roads open while ongoing work continues after hours at night, weekends. The also may be at the start of an excavation as a preliminary part of construction repairs projects, when work is held up or unforeseen issues prevent the work from being completed.

Steel road plate has long been the standard as they are designed to have long standing durability on busy roads. They are usually available in a comprehensive range of sizes to accommodate many types of excavations. They can be installed relatively quickly when using the appropriate machinery to install.

Sellers of Steel Road Plate:

Trench Shoring Boxes – This site is a key resource for steel road plate and trench boxes.

Composite – Composite road plates bring new approaches towards solving the problem of covering roads and trenches with steel plates in that they do not require as much manpower. Steel plates can require special lifting equipment and can be difficult at times to transport and store. Certain composite road plates only require two men to lift and can be stored on a single pallet. Traditionally steel plates have been the first choice of contractors, construction crews, and home builders.

Disadvantages:

Each type of road plate offers pros and cons to the consumer. Most of the cons have to do with the context of how the plate will be used. Meaning it may be a con is one work environment but considered a pro in a different work environment. Common problems with steel plates are that they are slippery when wet. This can be a hazard, particularly for bike riders.

The disadvantages of plastic plates are that tend to be smaller, requiring more of them for larger projects. Many are made in the color yellow for the purpose of visibility, yet many projects specifically call for plates that are gray or beige as opposed to that color.

Advantages:

Steel plates coverage much larger areas than plastic. They are very durable and handle wear and tear over time well. They also can be covered with material to make them safe for drivers, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.

Plastic plates are also reliable and durable. They have an anti-slip surface that makes it safer for pedestrians to walk on them. Because they are lightweight they are easier to move and install and they require no expensive equipment to move them. They are safer to install and their construction makes them a popular choice for home renovations and smaller construction projects.

In a side by side comparison both do well. For most projects, steel road plate will be the better choice.

The post Where to Locate Some Great Steel Road Plate for Sale appeared first on Trench Boxes for Sale | Trench Shoring Equipment Systems.

from https://trenchshoringboxes.com/steel-road-plate-sale/

From https://trenchshoringboxes0.tumblr.com/post/156671281132

Where to Find a Good Manhole Box Manufacturer

The manhole box manufacturer is an excavation protection system maker that produces two or four sided boxes that are used while installing pre-cast manholes, chambers or tanks. They are made of high tensile steel and can be used with trench boxes for deeper jobs. They may be installed in either a pre-dug trench or by the dig and push method. A manhole is always used when wider manholes have to be installed within a working trench. Manhole boxes are simple, two-sided mechanical excavation support system with integrated return and end panels designed to be installed by an excavator using the dig and push technique.

There are many box manufacturers who make and sell manhole boxes located throughout the United States and abroad. Whether your goal in seeking a manhole box manufacturer is to purchase or perhaps partner to create a product, thorough research is needed to determine the manufacturer who will be right for you.

There are a variety of manufacturers listed online who specialize in making and selling manhole boxes. When trying to determine the best manufacturer, you should be considering the following:

Are they a local manhole box manufacturer?

Since a lot of business is done via the internet, vendors can be located anywhere in the world. This has advantages and disadvantages and both must be considered. The advantage is a wider geographical area of manufacturing vendors to choose from. The disadvantage could be possible communication issues with a vendor who speaks a language different from your own.

Many manufacturers who do business internationally will assign domestic agents in those countries to represent them. However, the agents themselves usually are not natives of the country but rather just speak the language of the country to which they are assigned. This is why it is important in these cases to ask the right questions in order to determine whether or not a partnership will be a good fit. If it does seem like a good fit, question such as the following should be asked:

  1. Do you specialize in certain materials?
  2. How long have you been in business?
  3. How many years of experience in manhole boxes?
  4. What are your engineering and tooling capabilities?

Methods

Online Research

There is an abundance of online resources to help you get started with initial research in finding a manhole box manufacturer.

A good place to begin is to contact Trench Shoring Boxes.

In conducting a search for a manhole box manufacturer, you may not find the perfect one with your first inquiry or phone call. However, taking the time to ask the right questions could put you well on the path to getting you to that point.

The post Where to Find a Good Manhole Box Manufacturer appeared first on Trench Boxes for Sale | Trench Shoring Equipment Systems.

from https://trenchshoringboxes.com/manhole-box-manufacturer/

From https://trenchshoringboxes0.tumblr.com/post/156582225302

Trench Shoring Cages are Actually Safety Devices

Excavation has always been known as dangerous work. Workers in this industry have a far greater chance of being killed than general construction trades; hence shoring cages are used.

As a solution, standards were created that identify common hazards found when having individuals work in trenches. Each employer is responsible for ensuring that each excavation is free of identified and predictable hazards. To do this, employers must designate a representative to design, construct and maintain the work area so that they will be free of hazards. A person assigned to this role is known as the qualified person. A trench is an excavation that has a greater depth than its width measured at the bottom. Employees who work in trenches that are 5 feet deep must be protected from a cave-in (a mass of soil separated from the bank of a trench) by a trench protective system.

Trench Shoring vs. Shoring Cages

Trench shoring should not be confused with trench shielding. In the end, they both serve the same purpose, which is to protect but they also function in different ways of protecting. Shoring cages are designed to protect workers in the event of a collapse or cave-in, while trench shores are designed to prevent the collapse or cave-in from ever occurring. Because trench shores examine a way to prevent all potential hazards of a work area, it is viewed as the safer and better option, even though it is more time-consuming.

The soil inside of a trench can sometimes be of a type that has an unconfined strength. Meaning a type of soil that has insufficient strength to stand unsupported. A type of soil that tends to run or slough into the excavation as the trench is being dug and worked by the worker(s). An excavation is a work area is not is not considered a work area until the workers actually begin working.

This would be the point where the qualified person would review and make an assessment of the potential dangers of the type soil workers would have to work with. If known and/or predictable hazards are found, a trench box system must be in place prior to the start of any work by the workers.

Shoring Cages and the Qualified Person

The assessment done by the qualified person will determine what type of trench shoring boxes will be used. Shoring cages are a type commonly used.

Trench shoring is the process of securing the wall surfaces of a trench. Having this safety equipment is extremely important for the well-being and protection of the work area and workers as they work on projects that require them to work inside of deep trenches.

There are several methods of trench shoring. A common method is hydraulic shores.

Hydraulic shoring products are lightweight that utilize hydraulic pressure to support banks of excavation. As the hydraulic cylinders are pressurized against trench walls, pressure arcs will radiate from the center of the cylinder in many different directions. If nearby shores are located close enough for the arcs to intersect, pressure arches will be formed. These arches shore the banks. These pressure arches fan out into the banks; supporting the soil without the presence of sheeting.

Other methods of shoring cages are beam and plate and more solid boarding. However, hydraulic shoring works faster than these and tend to be the choice for larger excavations.

When it comes to safety in construction, the biggest danger is having a situation occur where workers become trapped in dirt and materials. Trench shoring was developed as a method to prevent these types of situations.

The post Trench Shoring Cages are Actually Safety Devices appeared first on Trench Boxes for Sale | Trench Shoring Equipment Systems.

from https://trenchshoringboxes.com/trench-shoring-cages-safety-devices/

From https://trenchshoringboxes0.tumblr.com/post/156266709252

What Can You Tell Me About a Trench Shield?

Because trench work is such a hazardous line of work, contractors and their workers use trench shields to help them get their work done. A trench shield is built strong to handle the pressure of unstable soil and provide a safe space and protects workers in the event that a trench collapses. They are used to secure the walls of large excavated trenches. Their purpose is to ensure the safety of workers in the trenches. They can effectively cover large areas of depth of trenches, eliminating the possibility of a cave-in. Trench shields can be used for several kinds of projects, such as:

  • Digging the foundation for a building
  • Laying pipes or wire

The most common type of trench shield is made of steel but they can also be purchased in aluminum. Inflatable trench shields are also becoming popular.

Sizing the trench shield you use is very important. To size a trench shield you should:

  • Know the job – Use a trench shield that is large enough for the job but light enough to handled by the trench shoring equipment being used.
  • Know how deep the cut is going to be.
  • Know the condition of the soil you are working with
  • Know the outside pipe diameter
  • Know the length of the pipe being used. The shield should be two to four feet longer than a joint of pipe.
  • Know the size of the excavator and the lift capacity. The minimum capacity should be 1.5 times the shield weight within a 20-foot radius.

The handling and assembling of a trench shield should be conducted by:

  • Determining the weight and the load and making sure the equipment being used to handle the shield is capable.
  • If using a crane, it is important to make sure the rigging is correctly sized and in good condition.
  • Always assemble the shield per manufacturer’s instructions and always use the components and spreader pins that are supplied by the trench box manufacturer.
  • The rebar, bolts, pipe or other materials in place or spreader pins should never be substituted.
  • Always install the keepers
  • When using a tag, the line is to make sure it is long enough to keep the worker a safe distance from the shield.

Trenches normally are formed on borrowed time and depending upon the material of the surrounding ground and the depth of the trench, it will cave-in at some point. The purpose of the trench shield is to widen the utility worker’s window to work within the trenches before caving in begins to occur. This is why is extremely important to pick the right kind of trench shield for each project.

As stated, the most common materials used for trench shields are steel and aluminum. The strength of these materials will allow for a rigid wall to be maintained while the workers work which helps extend the amount of time that the shield works. Unstable soil pressure can harm crews if it collapses while the crew is still in the trenches working. Especially if a team is busy focusing on projects such as digging a foundation, laying wiring or working on pipes.

The safety of the workers in the trenches should always be the number one priority and this should determine the decision on what type of material to use. However, using this kind of thought process also provides another benefit, an economical one. Keeping these priorities in mind allows for the safest but also the best system to serve economically. When weighing the safety of workers, the following should be considered:

Make sure your operators are properly trained – Thoroughly train operators to avoid potential dangers while on the job. All operators and supervisors should receive training on proper handling and assembly of trench shields.

Make sure the trench shield has been properly sized – Knowing the scope of your job is imperative to choosing the correct trench box – large enough to provide protection but light enough for the equipment being used on the site. Develop a checklist that addresses the following:

  • Type of soil to be worked in
  • The depth of the cut
  • The outside diameter of the pipe
    The length of the pipe you are using. The shield must be 2′ to 4′ longer than the pipe.
  • The is the size of the machine and the lift capacity. Minimum capacity should be 1.5 times the weight of the shield at 20′ radius

To ensure safety when using trench shields always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines – Always read the manufacturer’s directions before assembling a shield. Make sure all components are supplied by the manufacturer, including the spreader pins. Rebar, bolts, pipe or other materials should not be substituted for the spreader pins.
Lastly, properly handling shields helps keep workers safe. Do not chain together stacks of trench shields. When stacking shields, always use stacking pins. It is also important to install all the spreaders and to never remove a spreader from a machine. A trench shield should never be lifted by the spreaders. If a tagline is being used, the line should be long enough to keep the worker a safe distance from the shield.

The post What Can You Tell Me About a Trench Shield? appeared first on Trench Boxes for Sale | Trench Shoring Equipment Systems.

from https://trenchshoringboxes.com/trench-shield/

From https://trenchshoringboxes0.tumblr.com/post/156126415182

Factors to Consider When Buying a Trench Box

Different construction jobs require the use of different trench shoring equipment or tools to complete the job excellently and up to industry standard. Trenching is not an exception. When trenching during a construction project, each step of the way requires different trench shoring tools. One very popular tool is the trench box. Trench boxes are used to ensure that an excavation or trenching process is safe from any potential hazard that comes with the job. Trenching and excavation are inarguably one of the most dangerous activities in construction operation. For this reason, all safety measures must be put in place to ensure the process is accident-free. As a contractor in charge of a trench digging/excavation process, you are invariably motivated to make the gain or manage funds. It unwittingly becomes a case of being torn between a decision of “life and death” and “dollar and cents”. Making a decision is inevitable, and it should be a decision to protect life first. Even so, money can be saved; and the best work will be done safely. It is a matter of knowing the right trench boxes to buy. Knowing the right trench box will save a contractor a lot of costs that would have resulted from buying a wrong trench box or failing to buy a trench box for a construction project.

To make the right decision on which trench box to buy, you will need to consider a number of things, such as; where and exactly how deep you will dig, the gear and materials that you will require, the type of soil you will be working on, the tool preference of your workforce, and the machinery at your disposal. The soil structure is a crucial factor you must consider. Are you going to work on a ground that is stony and sandy or loose and wet, these soil types will pose unique hazards when digging? Consequently, you must choose a trench box that protects your workers against the hazards that working on these soil types pose.

Loose and Wet Ground

Working on a land with loose and wet soil comes with the risk of a cave-in or landslide. Any of these hazards can cause fatal accidents. Therefore, you should buy a trench box should be lightweight because the ground does not have the strength to carry a lot of weight. Therefore, buying an aluminum trench box will be best for such a project. Meanwhile, such a trench should be protected against the flow of water by installing drainage.

Stony Ground

Working on a stony ground will require trench boxes that are made from tough materials, such as a steel trench shoring box. A stony ground can support heavy trench boxes; however, such grounds require steel trench boxes that can hold the trench walls in position and withstand any pressure that may come from soil movement.

Depth Of The Trench

Another factor to consider before you purchase a trench box is the estimated or maximum depth of the trench or the excavation ground. This knowledge should be used to determine the length of the trench box to be purchased. If you are digging a trench that will be estimated 20ft deep, it will be unwise to buy a trench box that is that is 10ft long. Buying a trench box that has a short length compared to the depth of the trench may cause the unprotected part of the trench to collapse.

Size Of Your Equipment’s

The size of your trench equipment should be considered as well. Some contractors are inclined to buying a wide trench box, but they do not consider the size of their excavator. They sometimes end up buying wide trench boxes but do not have the excavator to make proper use of it. It is important to purchase a trench box that will be fully made use of.

Convenience of workers

The comfort of your workers who will be working in those trenches should be another matter of concern. For your workers to move more efficiently and also carry their tools along, it will be best to use a trench system that has open space in the middle. If your workers or you want to use the open space in the trench to move equipment and workers then you will likely not want to buy horizontal hydraulic presses that significantly covers the upper and lower part of the trench when a vertically located beam will keep the wall surfaces securely. This technique should also be used for trenches with wall space that are far apart for some hydraulic pistons to attain.

Both these trenching shoring systems, and also other systems, will have their purposes, and the type of job you do will determine the method you utilize to shore your trenches. Don’t assume all jobs are the same size or have the same requirements, you will want to evaluate each trench for the sort of shoring system you shall need to use. Ensure that the system you utilize is designed for the weights and pressures put on it, can be installed and removed safely, and can be acquired easily.

Conclusion

Building trenches for development jobs is a serious business. It needs the right group of materials to be sure that assignments are completed safely and promptly. Securing the correct shoring materials and equipment before starting any trenching task can help ensure that the trench is safe for the employees. If you want to dig a trench at your project site, you will need to be sure that you properly shore up the wall space to help promote safe practices and make certain you will not have to re-dig your trench. There are always a handful of different trench shoring systems which you can use to assist in preventing the collapse of your trench surfaces, and matching the right equipment to the work is crucial for basic safety and efficiency. Trench shoring boxes offer OSHA standard equipment at competitive prices. We understand the importance of safety and the need to efficiently manage resources; therefore, we provide the best prices for the best types of construction equipment.

The post Factors to Consider When Buying a Trench Box appeared first on Trench Boxes for Sale | Trench Shoring Equipment Systems.

from https://trenchshoringboxes.com/buy-trench-box/

From https://trenchshoringboxes0.tumblr.com/post/156050830572

Where to find the Best 8×8 Trench Box for Sale

Trench boxes can keep you or your construction crew safe while in a trench. However, these items aren’t just regularly available in department stores. If you are looking for an 8X8 trench box, you can find one in several places.

Online 8×8 Trench Box

You can find quite a few trench boxes just by doing an internet search. One of the great things about finding a trench box online is that it can be delivered right to your door. You don’t have to deal with trying to fit it into your vehicle in order to pick it up. Because trench boxes can be pricey, many of them will come with free shipping in order to entice customers to buy them. Online auction websites like EBay also tend to sell trench boxes. Just make sure that the seller has excellent ratings and that the trench box is in very good condition.

In-Store 8×8 Trench Box

There may be some stores near you that sell trench boxes. Even though they are primarily used for construction purposes, some homeowners do use them as well so more stores are starting to carry them. This type of product can often be found in stores where construction products are sold. Once you find a store that carries trench boxes, before visiting them, call them to make sure that they actually carry ones that are 8X8. There are many different sizes available and just because a store sells trench boxes it doesn’t mean that they will sell ones that are the size that you need.

Classified Ads 8×8 Trench Box

If you are needing to save money, you can sometimes find trench boxes in classified ads. For some individuals, they might only need to use a trench box once and then they sell it. This is a great way to still get a quality trench box system that has hardly been used. Never give an individual money without seeing the product first. If they ask you to pay them by wiring the money, it’s probably not a good idea. Set up a meeting time and go to inspect the trench box first to make sure that it is in good condition. Since the trench box will probably already be assembled, make sure that you bring a vehicle with you that’s large enough to transport it just in case you actually do purchase it.

You can find a trench box fairly easily. These devices save many lives each year by protecting the user from cave-ins that can occur while being in a trench. If you aren’t buying a brand-new trench box, make sure that you can inspect it thoroughly before purchasing it. If you can’t, make sure the seller has excellent reviews and that there is some sort of guarantee where you can get your money back just in case the trench box doesn’t suit your needs or isn’t exactly what you thought it was. By doing a little bit of research and taking your time to find the right trench box, you can find a product, at a good price, that will meet your needs for years to come.

The post Where to find the Best 8×8 Trench Box for Sale appeared first on Trench Boxes for Sale | Trench Shoring Equipment Systems.

from https://trenchshoringboxes.com/best-8×8-trench-box-sale/

From https://trenchshoringboxes0.tumblr.com/post/155765162802

The Amazing Trench Box System

If you are in the construction industry you’ve probably heard the world trench box system a time or two. By now you’re probably wondering what is a trench box. Here are all the details you need to know about the amazing trench box system and what it can do for you.

What Exactly Are They

Trench boxes extend a trench’s stable life which allows workers to remain safe while they are working on a job. They are also sometimes referred to as trench shields, tap boxes, sewer boxes or manhole boxes. No matter what they are referred to, they are almost always used exclusively in the construction field. Workers first use them when they are pouring foundations, but they can also be used if a wiring or piping repair needs to be made underground. Trench boxes are a crucial part of the construction industry as digging of any type is necessary to build new homes or buildings and this is one way to keep workers safe while doing so.

The Construction of The Trench Box System

Because of the importance of trench boxes, they must be sturdy. They are 2 kinds aluminum trench boxes and steel trench boxes. They are also usually made out of two plates, known as shields. They are held up by spreaders and the plates line the walls of the trench. The spreaders act as braces and are just beams that are placed perpendicular to the plates. Everything is welded together to head to the stability of the over trench box system. The overall design of the system allows for workers to get in and out of the trench box system which can be crucial if an emergency arises or they have to get out of the area quickly.

How Long They Can Be Used for In Each Hole

One of the key benefits of using a trench box system is that they improve the stability and life of a trench that is dug. Without this trench box, a hole might only last for a few seconds before it caves in. Dependent on the type of soil, weather conditions and the depth of the trench, a trench box system can allow the hole to stay safe and stable for several months. This is great for those long-term projects that construction workers often need to complete.

Why the Need for Trench Box Systems Arose?

Trench work tends to be extremely dangerous even when proper safety precautions are taken. Hundreds of trench cave-ins occur every year. Trench box systems allow construction workers to add an extra layer or protection against being hurt while doing their job. While it still is possible for a cave-in to happen even with a trench box system, the risk of injury is often minimized when a proper system is in place. The government does have safety regulations in place as well to ensure that trench box systems are used correctly. This is done through depth rating regulations. These regulations determine the maximum death that the trench box system can be used safely.

The post The Amazing Trench Box System appeared first on Trench Boxes for Sale | Trench Shoring Equipment Systems.

from https://trenchshoringboxes.com/trench-box-system/

From https://trenchshoringboxes0.tumblr.com/post/155620976017