Multiple Aluminum Shields Used to Shore Long Run Coble Trench Safety shoring specialist Chris Allen assists contractor with shoring design. The Specifics A new bridge was being installed over an existing railroad. Due to the construction of the new bridge, the existing gas lines would have to be encased within concrete to support the additional weight and pressure. There was also an existing fiber optic line running parallel to the gas line that had to be protected. The contractor would be doing an approximate one hundred twenty feet linear run approximately five feet deep and six feet wide. 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 contractor was dealing with limited accessibility to the jobsite due to the location. The contractor was only able to utilize a small backhoe with very limited lifting capacity. The layout of the terrain also created a concern for the contractor. While the trench depth would only be about five feet the total depth needed for protection would be approximately seventeen feet due to the way the area sloped back. Thus the contractor was forced into providing a solid protective system that would provide for the full depth of the area, as well as work within the operating capacity of the machinery on-site. The Solution The contractor had identified the potential issues early during the planning stages of the project and the safety officer had contacted Chris Allen for some proactive advice on possible solutions. Chris met with the contractor and discussed their concerns over the seventeen feet of depth and what type of system would be appropriate for the project within OSHA regulations. Chris and the contractor discussed the varying specifics of the jobsite from heavy equipment available, the scope of work and existing utilities that had to be tended to. By learning about the contractor's goal and discussing the limitations that would be on the project, Chris Allen was able to assist the contractor in eliminating systems and providing an optimal system for the contractor's needs and limitations. After some discussion, the contractor decided upon thirteen hydraulic aluminum shoring shields to shore the length of the project. The shoring systems would provide the protection for the full seventeen feet, as stated in the tabulated data. The system would also be easily installed with the small backhoe and wouldn't stretch the limits of its working capacity. Maybe one of the most challenging aspects of this project was the allocation of equipment to the project. Coble Trench Safety operates as a collective team and not individual branches with individual branch goals. At Coble Trench Safety, the emphasis is placed upon serving the customer, getting the customer the equipment needed and as specified and going the extra mile for a customer. The equipment arrived as scheduled and provided the requisite protection for the contractor. The project was successful and the system worked very well for the customer, as it was the perfect system for the application.