Aluminum Shield Used in Residential Setting Coble Trench Safety shoring specialist, Will Allen plays a key role in assisting contractor in a storm sewer replacement project. The Specifics The contractor was performing a storm sewer installation in a residential area. The excavation would be approximately five to six feet wide with seven to eight feet of depth. The excavation would have about twelve feet of linear run. If you're facing a particularly challenging trench job, give Coble Trench Safety a call to learn how we can help you get it right the first time. Atlanta, GA 1.877.312.1776 Baltimore, MD 1.866.951.0809 Birmingham, AL 1.877.312.1782 Charleston, SC 1.866.957.3624 Charlotte 1.877.587.3624 D.C. / Northern VA 1.866.887.3624 Greensboro (Corporate) 1.866.587.3624 Greenville, SC 1.877.312.1780 Jacksonville, FL 1.877.312.1783 Knoxville, TN 1.877.312.1781 Myrtle Beach, SC 1.866.586.9404 Norfolk, VA 1.866.975.3490 Raleigh 1.888.587.3624 Richmond, VA 1.866.887.3630 Click links in red above for more detailed information. CTS also offers Competent Person for Trench & Excavation training, as well as Confined Space Entry training. To see available dates and sign-up CLICK HERE The Scenario The jobsite did not present any extraordinary challenges. Adjacent structures would play a factor in the job, although any structures were an acceptable distance from the trench. The chief obstacles that would have to be overcome with the project were working within the customer's budget and within the abilities of the equipment on the jobsite. The Solution The jobsite was one of the simpler and standard jobsites that a contractor will see. A lightweight aluminum shoring shield was chosen as the preferred method of shoring in this scenario. The aluminum shoring shield is very light and can be installed with moderate machinery, thus reducing the need to have more expensive, heavier machinery on a jobsite for shoring installation. The shoring shield also utilizes hydraulic struts which proactively prevent a trench collapse. By using a high volume pump can to pressurize the struts out, the aluminum shoring shield provides soil support throughout the excavation. This proactive solution works very well in residential and urban areas, where a collapse of the trench may damage surrounding structures. In the case of this jobsite, a trench collapse could have cost repairs to the street and side of the street, which would have caused increased costs for the project. Through an analysis of the jobsite and the capabilities of existing equipment on the jobsite, Will Allen was able to assist the contractor in developing a system that would solve the shoring concern on the jobsite; while, addressing some lurking issues that may became of issue. The aluminum shoring shield allowed the contractor the flexibility needed to complete this project efficiently and safely, while remaining within budget.