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Trench Safety Awareness at Best Line Equipment

Jun. 1 2020 Rental By Best Line Equipment

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Working in a trench can be a dangerous job. Without proper reinforcement, cave-ins can occur and cause serious injury or death. In fact, hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths are caused from collapses each year. June is the time for "Trench Safety Awareness" and with construction and excavation projects ramping up, Best Line Equipment would like to take this time to raise awareness about the seriousness of this issue, and offer solutions for customers working in dangerous conditions. 

What are trench boxes?

According to OSHA regulations, if a trench is 5’ or greater in depth, the use of a protective system is required. Trench boxes are steel structures used to support the sides of trenches, protecting workers from potential cave-ins. The boxes are held together by steel pipes called "spreaders" and these are held in place with "Strut Collar Pins."

Best Line Equipment has recently added trench boxes to our rental fleet. We offer Safeway Trench Boxes from AGI Industries in the following sizes:

  • 6’ Tall X 8’ Long
  • 6’ Tall X 10’ Long
  • 6’ Tall X 12’ Long
  • 8’ Tall X 12’ Long

What to know before renting:

Before renting a trench box, it's important to know a few things about your worksite:

  • OSHA requires that a competent person inspects a trench daily and as conditions change for any hazards before worker entry. A "competent person" is defined by OSHA as someone who can identify hazards and is authorized to eliminate those hazards. Make sure your worksite has a competent person before beginning work. 
  • What is the depth and width of the trench? The top of the box must extend at least 18” above the surface. The bottom can be no more than  2’ above the bottom of the trench.
  • What equipment do you have to unload and set the trench box? Does it have adequate capacity to lift the fully assembled box?

Understanding the details of your worksite is necessary for choosing the right equipment. If you have questions or are unsure about the equipment you need, please contact us and our team can help you find what you need.

Safety is a top priority at Best Line Equipment. By adding these trench boxes to our rental fleet, we are offering critical safety equipment to our customers, so they can stay safe while staying productive. Contact us today or visit one of our locations to rent a trench box or learn more about our products. For a comprehensive overview of trench safety, visit OSHA's "Trenching and Excavation Safety" guide.