Any type of utility work that requires trenching is potentially dangerous for your employees. Trenches are notoriously unstable, particularly with sandy soils, wet cay soils, or soils with a large amount of rock material. The slightest pressure or weigh of equipment or even supplies stored on the sides of the trench can cause the sides to collapse and the dirt to flow into the trench, potentially trapping or injuring workers.
At the very least, unstable trenches end up costing the project in both time and money. Areas need to be re-trenched due to collapses, which extends the duration of the job while also increasing the cost of labor and equipment.
The Trench Box Solution
An effective and durable option to the trenching problem is to use a durable aluminum trench box. This is a pre-formed box that comes in several different lengths from five feet to twelve feet and a height of 4 feet for optimal compliance with all OSHA safety requirements. Of course, the trenches can be used in the vertical direction as well, allowing for up to 12 feet of height protection.
These trench boxes also have the attached spreaders, which snap into place and hold the panels firmly in position against the weight of the soil on the outside of the panels. This can all easily be completed by one person, and the trench box breaks down fully for easy stacking, storing, and transport.
The choice of an aluminum trench box is a good one for several reasons. The natural corrosion resistance of aluminum means these boxes are long lasting and can be used day in and day out for years, even in sandy and rocky ground.
The weight of the aluminum trench box is a fraction of what steel or other types of metals or alloys weigh, which means it is easier to move and more versatile in its application. At the same time, aluminum is still very strong and offers a strength to weight ratio that is far superior to other shoring types of materials.