Ongoing safety training is an important part of day-to-day operations at Miller The Driller. All employees are "competent-person" trained. But beyond the ongoing safety education of our people, trench safety basics help give customers an understanding of what it takes to assure a safe job for auger boring and other technologies requiring a trench or pit.

There are two basic methods to use in constructing a safe trench: sloping/benching for trenches less than 10 feet deep and shielding with a pit boring box for trenches over 10 feet deep. These are illustrated below.

Soil type will determine angles and shape of sloped or benched trench.

Type A Example
For Type A (1:1 slope): Clay, silty clay, hardpan

Type B Example
For Type B (1.5:1 slope): Silt, sandy loam, medium clay, unstable dry rock

Type C Example
For Type C (2:1 slope): Gravel, loamy sand, soft clay, submerged soil, heavy or unstable rock

Shielding involves use of a heavy steel box which holds soil in place on the sides of the trench. They can be used for any soil types. Miller The Driller has a variety of these pit-boring boxes available.

Miller The Driller will discuss exact pit or trench specifications and requirements in detail before the start of any project.

For more information check When Designing A Horizontal Launch Pit.