Trenches

   / Trenches #2  
I like the last line in the report: :rolleyes:

"Officials have yet to determine if the collapse was due to unsafe work practices."
 
   / Trenches #3  
Reasons like this are why we have osha, It should have been shored already, or a trench box. I know its a PITA for people to do this stuff, but is it really worth someone getting killed?
 
   / Trenches #4  
Reasons like this are why we have osha, It should have been shored already, or a trench box. I know its a PITA for people to do this stuff, but is it really worth someone getting killed?

Considering that I will be laying a water line in a 6' deep trench this weekend could someone explain how you shore up a trench wall? What is a trench box?
 
   / Trenches #5  
really it depends on soil type for how deep or how wide you have to cut the trench.

digging in clay, a 20' deep vertical wall will hold virtually forever (subject to water application aka rain/ground water) on the other hand, if you have sandy soil youll be lucky to get a foot or 2 without it starting to collapse in.

as for your question this is a trench box.

hydraulic_aluminum_shields.jpg


NOTE the sandy soil type.

as for how wide you have to cut back your trench sides as to not have to use a box/shoreing. again has to do with your soil type and therefore that question cant be fully answered without that information.
 
   / Trenches #6  
Seeing how the trench was to "repair a leaky basement", I would assume it was soft backfill (as opposed to solid virgin dirt) and more likely to collapse no matter what the soil type.

Ken
 
   / Trenches #7  
Besides trench boxes there are many other OSHA approved trench stability methods. Benching or sloping the excavation, posts and lagging and hydraulic aluminum / carbon fiber trench supports.

I would highly recommend people look into the regulation (29CFR 1926 Subpart P) and maybe a safety publication like JJ Keller's OSHA Excavation Standard Handbook prior to engaging in earth work activities.
 
   / Trenches #8  
I dug this trench this past weekend. It is about 8' deep and I do not intend to go into it except at the ends where I sloped the banks enough that it could not cave in on me. I ran the water line along the top and tossed it in when I got to the other end. Once I get the electrical line in there I will back fill and be done with it.
 

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   / Trenches #9  
Ok, trenches that reminds me of something

Be aware of overnight trenches. Stability can change rapidly when water is involved.

Now the funny part...

a couple of years ago, in february at -5 freezing temps, we put a new electric line from the stable to the house together with a watersupply.(could not wait as in march construction of the house was going to start) The backhoe operator made the trench from the stable towards the house where he had to go next the old, but still in use waste water collector (whats the term, cant remember right now, but you know whats in it), an 18m3 (thats appr 4000 gallon) concrete container.

The trench was about 300ft long, 5 ft deep and i was standing in it pulling the cable and tube going backwards towards the backhoe.

One moment i heard a scraping sound, a very clear curse and and instant later i was standing waist high in freezing cold liquid of long processed food and others (to say it nicely). The backhoe pulled a rock and punched a hole in the collector wall about 5ft deep. :eek:

Yep, i continued as fast as i could to put the line and tube (ever tried to put a empty tube in a "water"filled trench? it floads i can tell you. :eek:

Not half an hour later the trench started collapsing, fortunately after i finished and was out,dry and defrosted.


:)
 
   / Trenches #10  
I have seen two deaths involving trench collapses and hope I have seen my last. It's a very bad way to go out.
 

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