Trench shields

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. (help, get involved!)
This article has been tagged since December 2006.

Trench shields are steel or aluminum structures used for protecting utility workers while performing their duties within a trench. They are customarily constructed with sidewalls of varying thicknesses held apart by steel or aluminum spreaders. Spreaders can be interchanged to match the width of the trench. The different materials and building designs lead to a variety of depth ratings, i.e. the depth of a trench that the shield can withstand a collapse without buckling. Depth ratings are determined by registered Professional Engineers.

A shield should not be confused with a shore. While they may serve the same function, trench shoring is a different physical application that holds up the walls of a trench to prevent collapse.

Use of a trench shield is goverened by OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926.650-.652 Subpart P-Excavations

More information can be found at the National Utility Contractors Association website: www.nuca.com

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../t/r/e/Trench_shields.html"