Trench Box FAQ
Here at North East Shoring Corp., Inc., we stand behind the quality of our shoring equipment. If you are looking for a trench box for your job site, we can give you a product that will improve workplace efficiency and safety. But we respect that business owners like to do their due diligence, so we are always available to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, here are some frequently asked questions about trench boxes that may prove informative.
WHAT IS TRENCHING/EXCAVATION?
An excavation refers to any hole dug into the ground by removing material (like dirt). A trench is a type of excavation, where the depth exceeds the width. There are many different types of construction job sites that make use of trenching and excavation equipment. It’s generally considered a big and dangerous job, due to literally tons of dirt or other materials being moved.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF TRENCHING?
Trench boxes are meant to minimize the potential dangers of trenching and excavating, which are many. The most prevalent danger, or the one that results in the most fatalities, is cave ins. However, many other potential hazards exist on an excavation site, including falls, hazardous atmosphere, falling loads, and equipment accidents. Unfortunately, trench collapses cause dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries annually.
ARE THERE TRENCHING REGULATIONS?
There are many regulations that must be followed on a trench site. For instance, OSHA requires that trenches be inspected daily, as well as after any change of environmental conditions, by a competent person in order to ensure no excavation hazards are present.
HOW DO I PAIR A SHORING BOX FOR MY JOB SITE?
Here at North East Shoring Corp., Inc., we can assist you with choosing the right equipment for your needs. Typically, some of the information we will need includes the machine’s size, the intended depth, soil conditions, and what kind of structure is being installed/repaired.
HOW DO I PAIR A SHORING BOX WITH MY MACHINE?
This is another aspect we will be able to assist with here at North East Shoring Corp., Inc.. Shoring equipment needs to reflect your machine’s lifting capacity; if the shoring system is too light it becomes easier to damage the trench box with your machine, and if the shoring system is too heavy you risk damaging your machine. Luckily, deciding on what model shoring system you require is as simple as letting us know your machine’s lifting capacity and model number.
CAN I ACCESSORIZE MY TRENCH BOX?
Here at North East Shoring Corp., Inc., we offer Kundel brand trench boxes, which offer a wide range of accessories for making shoring equipment more versatile. Whether you are looking for leg kits or end enclosures, there are many options out there that can help you tailor your trench box to your job site’s needs.
WHAT IS A/B/C SOIL?
If you hear the terms “A Soil”, “B Soil”, or “C Soil”, these are OSHA designations meant to classify soil based on cohesiveness. A soil would be the most sturdy type of soil, like rock. C soil would be a much looser soil material, like sand. It is very important that a competent and knowledgeable professional designate the soil type before choosing trench equipment.
DOES MY SHIELD NEED TO BE A PE DESIGN?
It is required that all shoring equipment include tabulated data and a PE stamp. This ensures that the equipment has met, or exceeds, OSHA standards.
CAN A STEEL TRENCH SHIELD BE LIFTED?
Kundel brand trench boxes specifically make models designed to be lightweight, so that they can be lifted by machines smaller than is generally required. Shore Lite also makes aluminum trench boxes specifically made to be lightweight and easy to put together.
ARE THERE TRENCH BOXES THAT CAN BE INSTALLED BY HAND?
There are trench boxes that can be assembled by hand. One example that we offer is our Shore Lite Modular Simple Robust Aluminum trench box. Two men can assemble this trench box just by hand, it doesn’t require the help of a tractor backhoe.
ARE THERE ADVANTAGES TO A MODULAR TRENCH BOX?
We offer modular trench boxes here at North East Shoring Corp., Inc., like the Shore Lite Modular we just mentioned. The benefits of a modular trench box include the ability to transport with smaller vehicles, ability to install in confined areas, and it allows for customizable height and width to accommodate any job’s demands.
IS THERE ANYBODY I CAN SPEAK TO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Here at North East Shoring Corp., Inc., we would be happy to answer any questions you might have. We’ve been in the construction industry for decades. We know how important our equipment can be for workplace efficiency and safety. To that end, we are 100% committed to customer satisfaction; our goal is to get you equipment that works for your needs.
ARE THERE ANY UBIQUITOUS TRENCHING/EXCAVATION RULES?
People new to an excavation site will find that there are many ironclad safety rules. These are for the safety of everybody on the job site. In general, they will include:
- Keeping heavy equipment away from the edges of a trench
- Keeping surcharge loads over two feet away from the edges of a trench
- Knowing where any potential underground utilities are
- Testing for low oxygen, toxic gases, and hazardous airborne material
- Inspecting trenches before beginning any work shift
- Inspecting trenches immediately following rain or other inclement weather conditions
- Never allowing workers under a raised load
When it comes to construction equipment, here at North East Shoring Corp., Inc., we know that quality matters. That is why we are committed to only offering the best brands in trench boxes and shoring equipment. We hope these frequently asked questions have proved informative. As we mentioned earlier, we are always ready on the line with a friendly and knowledgeable representative to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!
At North East Shoring Corp., Inc., we’re focused on keeping the trench and OSHA off your back.
You’re in the middle of a job, and it’s tough to keep everyone safe. A construction site requires everyone to be on high alert all the time. So, you’re stressed and trying to keep people working while also following safety guidelines to the best of your ability. After decades of excavation and trench shoring experience, North East Shoring Corp., Inc. knows what you’re going through. Just know you’re not alone in finding the absolute best trench boxes for your operation.
Imagine calling a trench box company and renting what you need in a single phone call. Think about how easy it would be to plan the rest of your job if you could guarantee when your trench boxes would be on-site. Just picture how quickly and efficiently your crews could work with the proper boxes and equipment. You can stop dreaming and buy or rent trench boxes from North East Shoring Corp., Inc. right now. It’s only a phone call away.
