Before anyone steps into a trench, the shoring box or trench box has to be set up right, which means planning ahead, having the right gear, and knowing which installation method fits the job. In this guide, we’ll walk through the pre-installation checks, tools and equipment you need and assembling and installing the shoring box with safety measures.
Pre-installation considerations
The following are a few things to consider before installing a shoring system.
Assess soil and site conditions
There are three main things to take note of as they directly impact trench stability.
- Soil type: Are you working with stable rock, cohesive clay, or loose sand?
- Groundwater levels or seepage: It increases the risk of collapse
- Weather conditions: Rain can significantly impact soil behaviour.
Select the right trench box
The right shoring box size depends on your excavation dimensions.
- In case of a long excavation, you can connect multiple boxes to secure the entire trench.
- If your excavation is too deep, you can stack the upper box to attain your desired height.
- Lastly, be mindful of the shield capacity of the shoring box you are using.
Regulatory compliance
Refer to Safe Work Australia. Ensure that the trench box and its installation meet regulatory requirements for the excavation’s depth and soil type.
Tools, equipment and machines
Following are the machines and equipment you will need for installing a shoring box.
- Shoring box with complete parts, including spreaders, panels and pins. The supplier will provide all these parts.
- Excavator for digging the trench
- Lifting chains
- Handrails and ladders, if required
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): Helmets, heavy-duty gloves, steel-toed boots
Two methods of installing a shoring box
There are two ways of installing trench boxes: the dig and place method and the dig and push method. But before that, you need to assemble the shoring box.
Assembling the shoring box
The panels and the spreaders are supplied as individual components and need to be assembled at ground level. The assembling process will require lifting machines and chains.
Lay one of the panels flat on the ground, lift and position the spreaders at their attachments on the panel and secure with pins. Once all the spreaders are in place, bring the second panel and carefully place it so the spreaders are in their attachments. Finally, secure this side with pins as well.
Dig and place method
The method is simple, but it can only be used in stable soils for shallow to medium-depth trenches.
- Dig the trench to your required depth and length. Ensure the bottom of the trench is even and free from any debris or loose soil.
- Attach lifting chains to the shoring box and, using an excavator, carefully lower the trench box into the trench.
- Use the excavator bucket to push down or adjust the trench box
Dig and push method
The dig and push technique is used for deeper excavation or where the soil is less stable. Instead of digging the whole trench at once, the trench box is pushed down in sections and slowly advanced as digging proceeds. This offers continuous protection to the workers as the trench deepens.
- Start by excavating enough for the trench box to be placed.
- Use an excavator to lower the trench box in the excavation.
- Continue to dig using the excavator.
- Use the excavator bucket to push down the trench box as the excavation progresses.
Check out: What is shoring? Types, safety, installation and removal
| Dig and place | Dig and push | |
| How it works | Excavate the full trench, then lower the trench box into place. | Excavate in stages while lowering and pushing the box deeper as digging continues. |
| Best for | Shallow to medium trenches in stable soils. | Deeper excavations or less stable soils where protection is needed throughout. |
| Speed | Faster and simpler for short, stable trenches. | Slower, requires more coordination. |
| Limitations | Not ideal for deep or unstable trenches. | More labour- and time-intensive, but safer in challenging conditions. |
Box stacking, handrails and safety measures
Once your trench box is placed, you can stack an upper box to extend the height or take measures for the safety and easy access of the workers.
If the excavation is deeper than the trench box’s height, an upper box can be stacked to extend it. It’s installed the same way as the trench box. Lift the upper box through the excavator and position it on top of the trench box. Secure the attachment with pins.
Additionally, you can install handrails on top of your shoring box. They provide fall protection for workers entering and exiting the trench. You should also ensure safe entry and exit ways in the trench through ladders and staircases. Check out how a small but right equipment can enhance safety on your site, like it did for one of our clients having a trench access problem.
Legend Hire’s range of shoring boxes and trench safety equipment
Legend Hire offers a wide range of shoring boxes designed to provide secure, durable, and compliant trench support across different site conditions. Our range of shoring boxes comes in different sizes, materials and configurations, so whether you’re working on small utility trenches or larger excavation projects, there’s a setup that fits
We also supply complementary trench safety equipment, including handrails, access solutions, and worker protection gear, helping contractors maintain both efficiency and safety on-site.
With Legend Hire, you will have the right tools in place to carry out excavation work with confidence. Explore our shoring boxes and trench safety equipment.