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Trench shoring is a procedure that braces the walls of a trench to prevent collapse and protects workers.

Trench Shoring St. Louis

Trenching and excavation are some of the most hazardous occupations. A number of workers get injured every year while performing their jobs. So it is imperative to have a protective system to ensure the safety of trench workers.

The competent person is responsible for deciding and implementing the protective measures. He has the ability and experience needed to identify the potential and existing dangers at the site. He is expected to choose the protective system on the basis of the type of soil and the depth and width of the trench.

The Dangers Involved in Trenching

The earthen walls of a trench can collapse and injure the workers inside. This is the most important danger faced by the employees who work on an excavation site. Besides this, the workers can get injured in other ways. If the work site is cluttered the workers can slip and fall. They can get a shock from the underground or overhead electrical lines.

They have to work in the proximity of high traffic and utilities and manually handle material and heavy machinery. All of this can be dangerous.

Different Protective Systems

  • Shoring – In this, the sides of an excavation are supported by posts, struts, wales and sheeting made of timber, and hydraulic or mechanical structures. This method is suitable for providing protection in excavations where sloping is not practical because of the depth or location of the trench. Shoring provides even pressure. The workers do not have to enter the trench to install it.
  • Shielding – Shielding involves the use of a trench box or shield. It does not avert a cave-in. Instead of this, it protects the workers from harm if there is a cave-in. This protective system is useful for a continuous installation work like laying pipes. The workers can drag the box with them wherever they work.
  • Sloping – This is a protective system in which the earthen walls of an excavation are cut back at an angle to avert a cave-in.
  • Benching – In this method, the walls of the excavation are cut into steps to prevent a cave-in and provide protection to the workers.

Advantages of Shoring and Shielding

Sloping and benching are not practical for most of the excavations. A large amount of space is needed to dig the trench at the correct angle. Often this is not possible because the excavations have to be done in busy areas where there is a lot of traffic.

Another reason why they are not very suitable is that towards the end the soil which has been removed has to be put back and compacted, this costs extra money and time.

Shoring and shielding are more advantageous. They are more economical than sloping and benching. They maintain the trench walls in a vertical position. This reduces the quantity of excavated soil and fuel consumption. It also makes the work of restoring the yards, asphalt and pavement easier.

St. Louis Trench Shoring

If you have any questions regarding trench shoring, call Luby Shoring Services today at (636) 660-7467 or fill out our online contact form.

Luby Shoring Services has the expertise to work with you on site specific engineering services. We can quickly complete any job while meeting OSHA safety regulations.

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To keep workers safe don’t set unrealistic goals or offer incentives for things to get done quickly or under budget.

Trench Safety St. Louis

Trenching is considered a highly-dangerous occupation in the construction field. The reality is that just one yard of cubic dirt can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds, which is enough to crush a worker or trap him underneath if the trench is compromised and gives in. That is why having the proper safety measures in place is so crucial to keep everyone safe on a trenching site.

Why Trench Safety is So Important

Fatal trenching incidents have as much as doubled in just the last year. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, insists that if better safety measures had been implemented, most of those accidents would not have happened. If trenching companies would do a better job of keeping sites safe, then the number of accidents would decrease significantly. Keeping your job site safe is not only a moral obligation, it is also a law. If an accident happens, it is possible for those in charge to face criminal charges.

Setting Realistic Time Frames

One of the biggest reasons that things go wrong is because trenching workers are often on tight schedules to get jobs done. When they are in a time crunch, it is not uncommon for them to cut safety corners to finish on time. That can lead to workers and managers being careless and making decisions based on time efficiency, rather than on the safety of employees. Make sure to set realistic goals when you are running a trenching operation. Scheduling strict time frames that are unrealistic will only jeopardize your workers and increase the likelihood of accidents.

Another reason that things go awry and workers get hurt is that supervisors and managers are often given incentives in the form of bonuses for getting a job done on time or even ahead of schedule. To cut costs, supervisors will bend the rules or put workers in riskier positions to get goals met and to reap the benefit. As a trenching company, you do want to set goals and to offer an efficient operation, but offering your supervisors and managers money to get it done quickly might not be the best way to ensure the safety of your overall operation.

Finally, it costs more to do things right. Having the proper safety measures in place is a little costlier for the company and hiring safety managers might seem like an additional cost that can hurt a company’s bottom line. But what will really put a kink in your budget would be if your operation was shut down, you are fined, or someone gets hurt and you face criminal prosecution.

Trenching is a highly dangerous but necessary component of construction. If you want to keep your workers and your operation safe, then don’t set unrealistic goals or offer incentives for things to get done quickly or under budget. Invest in your workers, and they will invest in your company. It will also ensure that the job gets done right and that everyone is much safer.

Call Luby Shoring Services at (636) 660-7467 or Fill Out Our Online Contact Form.

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Shoring is the most economical and safest method of protecting trench workers.

Shoring St. Louis

Cave-ins are the biggest hazard faced by the trench workers. An unstable trench can collapse and kill or injure the workers at any time. So it is essential to have a suitable protective system in place.

A number of methods like shoring, shielding, sloping and benching are available to protect the workers. Among them, shoring is the most economical and efficient.

Reasons for Cave-Ins

There are a number of factors which can influence the stability of the trench. Some of them are:

  • The kind of soil and its moisture content.The kind of soil and its moisture content.
  • Unfavorable weather conditions.
  • Improper installation of the trench box or support system.
  • Vibration.
  • Depth of the excavation.
  • The duration of time for which the trench is left open.
  • Surcharge or excessive weight near the excavation.
  • Adjacent structures and buildings.
  • Previous soil disturbances or excavations.

Other Hazards Involved in Trenching

Besides cave-ins, trench workers face some other dangers also:

  • They may trip, slip or fall while entering, egressing or working in the trench.They may trip, slip or fall while entering, egressing or working in the trench.
  • The workers may not have sufficient protective equipment.
  • They may come into contact with the overhead electrical conductors or the underground utilities.
  • Working with heavy equipment near the excavation can be dangerous.
  • Traffic on the public roads and the site may pose a danger.
  • Working in hazardous atmospheres and confined spaces may prove to be harmful.
  • There are chances of being hit by falling equipment, materials or vehicles in the excavation.
  • The adjacent structures may become unstable because of the excavation and pose a problem.
  • It may be risky if the excavated material is not stored at a suitable distance from the trench. 
  • Finally, water hazards like flooding can cause accidents.

Benefits of Trench Shoring

In the olden days, sloping and benching were used to prevent the sides from collapsing while digging deep holes. In sloping the walls of the trench slope at an angle so that they do not cave-in. Benching or terracing is a method in which the sides of the trench are formed in steps in order to prevent them from collapsing.

Sloping does not require any additional equipment. It is quite a safe procedure if the degree of the slope is proper and the weather is favorable.

But in the modern days shoring and shielding are considered to be the most economical and safest methods of protecting trench workers from a cave-in. At an excavation site shields protect the workers from a cave-in. Shores support the walls of the excavation with a system of hydraulic cylinders and stop them from collapsing.

Shoring is more beneficial in some situations because of its flexibility and versatility. It is very useful for spot bracing. This method is most suitable when the work is being done near sidewalks or curbs, around existing utilities, or any place where a backhoe or mini-excavator is used.

Shores are lightweight. The workers can easily install and remove them from above the trench.

St. Louis Trench Shoring

Get in touch with our St. Louis trench shoring services team to talk about your project. Call us today at (636) 660-7467 or fill out our online contact form.

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A competent person is an individual who has the capacity to identify the predictable and existing dangers. 

The competent person plays a very significant role in trenching and excavation. He is well trained and has a comprehensive knowledge of the task.

The Competent Person

A competent person is an individual who has the capacity to identify the predictable and existing dangers in the workplace. He can clearly perceive the working conditions which are hazardous or unsanitary and pose a risk to the workers. He has the ability to identify the types of soil and design suitable protective systems. He possesses the authority to implement corrective measures to get rid of the hazards.

Role in Trenching and Excavation

The competent person has a great deal of responsibility. Trenching and excavation work is inherently dangerous. Accidents can occur at any time. The workers can get injured while performing their duties.

So the competent person must be very capable and well qualified. He must be trained suitably for the job. He should have a complete knowledge of the field. It is imperative that the person who holds this position is acquainted with all the aspects of excavation and the rules and regulations associated with the occupation.

He should be familiar with the applicable laws and requirements for personal protective equipment, utility location, confined space, rigging and design, and hazardous atmosphere testing.

A suitably trained competent person who is equipped with the right tools can make a great difference. He can get rid of the major hazards. At the same time, he can foresee the latent risks and take appropriate steps to reduce them.

Some of the specific qualifications include:

  • In order to achieve his goal of providing a safe work environment, he should have an open and clear communication with the staff responsible for the trenching operations. In order to achieve his goal of providing a safe work environment, he should have an open and clear communication with the staff responsible for the trenching operations.
  • He should devise suitable protective systems on the basis of the conditions of the site. While doing this, he must keep the depth and width of the trench and the soil conditions in mind.
  • He must keep a watch on all the employees who work in the excavation. He should ensure that each worker is trained properly and knows his work, is familiar with the hazards and the protective measures and knows what to do in an emergency.
  • He has to inspect the excavation and the areas around it.
  • He must conduct tests to check if there is an oxygen deficiency or a concentration of hazardous gases in the atmosphere.
  • He should analyze visually or test and classify the soil and rock deposits. If the conditions change he should re-classify the same. He must use this knowledge to determine the appropriate protection.
  • If there are chances of a cave-in, or if the protective arrangements are not working, if the atmosphere or the working conditions are hazardous, the competent person must immediately remove the workers from there. They should be allowed to return to work at the place only after all the safety precautions have been taken.

In this way, the competent person can play a vital role in trenching and excavation. Need competitive person training or St. Louis trench shoring services? Contact us now by calling (636) 660-7467 or by filling out our online contact form.

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Trench shields play the most important role when it comes to safety of workers working in a trench.

trench safety st louis

Trench workers have to perform their duties in perhaps one of the most hazardous and stressful conditions. Trenches are often dug out in industries such as construction for laying the foundation of a building, for pipe laying or underground wiring jobs.

Trench shields play the most important role when it comes to safety of workers working in a trench. A good and strong trench shield helps keep the work space safe and protects workers from hazardous trench collapses. Trench shields function to keep the side walls of the trenches secure and prevent them from caving-in.

It is therefore essential that employers understand the qualities of a good trench shield, appropriate handling procedures and what type of trench shield is ideal for the job. Our St. Louis trench shoring services experts explain this in detail.

What are Trench Shields

All trenches can at some point in time collapse or cave in. It is therefore important that trench shields are chosen on the basis of the depth of the trench dug out and the quality of the ground material that the trench is made of. Trench shields are most commonly made of either steel or aluminum. Such trench shields have the ability to maintain a rigid hold on the trench walls, giving workers the ability to focus on the job at hand better and more time to complete their job before the trench walls cave in.

Sizing a Trench Shield

Sizing a trench shield is an important step. Therefore one has to be equipped with the correct information about sizing trench shields. While sizing a trench shield, one should choose a trench shield based on the size of the trench, the weight of the shield that is going to be handled by trench shoring equipment, know the depth of the trench, the quality of soil on which the trench is built, have an clear idea about the size of diameter of the outside pipe and the lift capacity of the excavator.

Trench Shield Assembly and Handling

Once a trench shield type is chosen, it is important that it is assembled exactly according to the manufacturers manuals provided. Moreover, those engaged in trench shield assembly should be well trained and have enough experience in assembly and handling of trench shields. They should use all original parts such as the rebar, bolts, pipe, spreader pins etc. and these should never be substituted. The keepers of the trench shield should always be properly installed.

Safety is always the number one priority at any workplace. Trenches are no different. It is mandatory that all aspects of safety are covered. The first and foremost safety check is to ensure all trench shield operators and supervisors receive proper training with regards to correct practices of assembling as well as handling trench shields. All workers and operators should be provided with proper personal protection equipment like helmets while working in the trenches and while operating trench shields.

Trench Shoring St Louis

When it comes to excavating projects, rely on Luby Shoring’s expertise. We’ll help you complete any job quickly, while meeting OSHA safety regulations. We have a wide range of options available for fast delivery, and our team will provide options for the correct equipment to use with your job.

Call us today at (636) 660-7467 or fill out our online contact form.

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When it comes to excavating projects, rely on Luby Shoring’s expertise.

st louis trench shoring

An aluminum trench shoring system is used on the sites where the ground is unstable. The
walls in a trench are braced with the trench shoring boxes so that they do not collapse. This
helps protect workers from getting injured while performing their tasks in trenches.

The trench boxes have spring mounted flexible spindles. The cut and lower method is used
to install them. The thickness of the plates vary.

Employee Safety

Top priority is given to the safety of workers on any construction site. The task of excavation can be very risky. Workers often have to work in trenches which are several feet deep and extend for miles. The most dangerous part of the job is that the walls of a trench or an excavation may cave-in and trap the workers under the dirt and other materials.

Companies use different types of equipment to avoid such accidents and to make the job
safer for the employees.

Types of Hydraulic Aluminum Trench Shoring Systems

Various types of equipment can be utilized according to the size and type of the trench. The
most popular ones are:

  • Hydraulic shoring – In this method, hydraulic pistons are used with heavy plywood or steel plates to shore up the trench. First, the plywood or the plates are put in the appropriate places. After that, the pistons are positioned. They are activated till they press against the walls. In this way the place is made safe for the workers.
  • The soldier boarding method is used for some type of trenches.
  • The beam and plate method – First, steel beams are fixed in the ground. Then steel plates are inserted between them. This helps to shore up the walls of the trench. Wooden planks are utilized instead of steel plates in some jobs.

Some people have an impression that trenches are dug to install pipes or some other things below the ground. However, trenches are dug for other purposes also. They are required for installing manholes too. It is equally important to shore up such trenches and make them safe.

An Innovative Method of Shoring

New methods have been developed to make the trenches safe for the workers. The fin form
takes advantage of the pressure exerted by the surrounding ground on the trench walls. In
this, first when the walls are put into the ground they are slightly angled. Then they bow out and become straight. In this way, they create a very tight fit and it is not possible for the trench walls to waver or collapse. The fin form walls are frequently used in manhole
construction where the spaces are narrow and tight and there are more chances of collapse. 

The hydraulic aluminum trench shoring products like vertical shores, hydraulic shields, end
shores, manhole shoring and waler systems are very useful for doing spot repairs, and for
working in tight situations, or working in places where it is not possible to use bulky
machinery.

St. Louis Shoring & Excavation Services

When it comes to excavating projects, rely on Luby Shoring’s expertise. We’ll help you complete any job quickly, while meeting OSHA safety regulations. We have a wide range of options available for fast delivery, and our team will provide options for the correct equipment to use with your job.

Call us today at (636) 660-7467 or fill out our online contact form.

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Each year, many people lose their lives in trench collapse accidents.

Trenches are one of the most dangerous places to work in. In fact, each year, many people lose their lives in trench collapse accidents. It is unfortunate that while trench collapse deaths are easily preventable, a large number of these deaths still occur each year. Some common causes of trench related injuries and deaths are:

  • Pressures of time and money
  • Lack of supervision
  • Ignorance to safety rules
  • Laziness or general negligence

Having provided St. Louis trench shoring services on various work sites, we have realized that some sites have very poor operational and safety procedures for working in trenches. Many people do not even understand the basic safety requirements. They are supposed to provide a means of egress at a depth of 4 feet, and proper protective systems at 5 feet deep. However, many are not even aware of these basics, and they tend to compromise the safety of workers.

Most construction companies claim that safety comes first. However, all too often this is not reflect in their actions. Each year, a large number of trench collapse deaths are reported. In 2016, more trench collapse deaths were reported than the previous year. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 2016 saw more trench collapse deaths than 2014 and 2015 combined. There were 11 deaths each reported in 2014 and 2015, while there were 23 deaths in 2016. While the numbers seem shocking, they also highlight the urgent need to take appropriate safety measures.

In all these years of providing St. Louis trench shoring services, we have come to understand that trench collapses happen pretty fast and have devastating consequences. Consider this – a cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. You can therefore imagine the amount of damage it can inflict.

In a statement released by OSHA, it was quoted that trench fatalities have more than doubled since 2015, which is an unacceptable and alarming trend. One OSHA official said, ”There is no excuse. These fatalities are completely preventable by complying with OSHA standards that every construction contractor should know.” (Source)

While the construction company is primarily responsible for the safety of all workers, it is also the responsibility of everyone else to follow proper safety practices and standards. Recently, a general contractor and foreman were convicted of criminal negligence after a laborer died in a trench collapse accident in New York. Apart from facing criminal negligence charges, companies may also have to pay huge fines. A company in Ohio had to pay more than $200,000 after a worker was crushed to death in a trench collapse last year. The company had failed to provide appropriate trench cave-in protection, failed to train employees in recognizing hazards, and failed to protected employees from excavated material rolling into a trench or falling from inside the trench walls.

Need help with your project? Call Luby Shoring Services today at (636) 660-7467.

Contact Us Online

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This system is installed for the safety of the workers and to give stability to the trench, extending its lifespan.

St Louis Shoring Services

The people who work in the construction industry are familiar with the trench box system. It is an amazing system which is installed for the safety of the workers who perform the tasks of digging and excavating. Not only this, it is also very effective in giving stability to the trench and extending its lifespan.

A Trench Box

A trench box is also known as a trench shield, sewer box, manhole box, or a tap box. It is used in the construction work. It provides stability to a trench and keeps the utility workers safe while they carry out their duties.

It is a two sided support system used in a mechanical excavation. A trench box is an important shoring equipment which is a boon for excavators. It helps to increase job safety as well as productivity.

Workers use them while they pour the foundations. They also utilize trench boxes when they have to repair a piping or wiring underground.

Trench boxes are extremely important for the construction industry. The construction of new buildings or homes requires digging and excavation of the soil. So trench boxes are indispensable for the safety of the workers on the construction sites.

The Structure Of The Trench Box System

There are two types of trench boxes – steel trench boxes and aluminum trench boxes. They are made of two plates which are known as shields. The spreaders hold them apart. The plates line the trench’s walls. The spreaders are beams which are placed perpendicular to the plates and function as braces. All the parts are welded together to make the trench box system stable.

The system is designed in such a way that the workers can get in and come out of the trench box. This is very crucial in times of an emergency when they have to get out quickly from the area.

Benefits of Using Trench Boxes

Improves the stability of the trench – A trench shoring box is very important because it helps to make the trench more stable and long lasting. In the absence of a trench box, the hole can cave-in in a matter of few seconds. A trench box system assists in keeping the hole stable and safe for many months if the type of soil, the weather conditions and the depth of the trench are suitable. It is very valuable for long term construction projects.

Provides protection to the workers – Trench and excavation work is hazardous by nature. Trench cave-ins can take place even when all the safety precautions are taken. The trench box adds an extra layer of protection for the workers. It aims at minimizing the risk of injury to the workers while doing their job. There are safety regulations to ensure that the trench boxes are used appropriately. The maximum depth at which the trench box system can be used in a safe manner is determined by the depth rating regulations.

St. Louis Shoring Services

Looking for reliable St. Louis trench shoring services? Contact Luby Shoring Services for a wide selection of custom and standard trench shielding and shoring options.

Call us today at (636) 660-7467 or fill out our online contact form.