Trench Safety & Shoring

United Rentals offers trench safety and shoring equipment for rent to help protect your crew and support trench excavation safety on every dig. Our trench shoring rentals cover everything from trench boxes and hydraulic shoring to road plates and confined space gear, all from trusted manufacturers and routinely maintained to keep your jobsite safe and compliant.

For our full list of trench safety and shoring equipment for rent, view the items below. For more information, visit our resource section.

ARch spreader

United Rentals arch spreaders and arch spreader extensions for trenching and excavation allow for maximum pipe and structure clearance with minimal trench width. Quick and easy to install, these units are versatile, offered in a full range of widths, and available to rent now. Our spreaders are adjustable to meet the specific needs of your job, ranging from 22 inches up to 120 inches. Choose aluminum or steel options for strong, reliable trenching reinforcement. In addition to our spreaders, we offer arch spreader extensions that come equipped with accessory kits for trench shields and spacing capabilities up to 10 additional feet. United Rentals is here to support your trenching task needs.

FAQs About Arch Spreaders

What is an arch spreader?

  • Mostly used to get maximum clearance for large-diameter pipes, arch spreaders raise the clearance from the underside of the trench shield spreader to the bottom of the excavation.

How much clearance can be added with an arch spreader?

  • Typically, using an arch spreader will help raise clearance 5 feet to 8 feet, though we offer extensions with an extension range of up to 10 feet. However, it is possible that loads will increase rapidly on the arch spreader as the clearance is increased, so it’s important to follow instruction manuals carefully. You can also consult with a United Rentals specialist for additional guidance on using extension spreaders.

How do I transport an arch spreader?

  • Most arch spreaders will fit on a truck for transport purposes. Consult with your site manager or a United Rentals expert to determine the best method for transport as arch spreaders can vary in size and weight.

Arch Spreaders

ARch spreader

United Rentals arch spreaders and arch spreader extensions for trenching and excavation allow for maximum pipe and structure clearance with minimal trench width. Quick and easy to install, these units are versatile, offered in a full range of widths, and available to rent now. Our spreaders are adjustable to meet the specific needs of your job, ranging from 22 inches up to 120 inches. Choose aluminum or steel options for strong, reliable trenching reinforcement. In addition to our spreaders, we offer arch spreader extensions that come equipped with accessory kits for trench shields and spacing capabilities up to 10 additional feet. United Rentals is here to support your trenching task needs.

FAQs About Arch Spreaders

What is an arch spreader?

  • Mostly used to get maximum clearance for large-diameter pipes, arch spreaders raise the clearance from the underside of the trench shield spreader to the bottom of the excavation.

How much clearance can be added with an arch spreader?

  • Typically, using an arch spreader will help raise clearance 5 feet to 8 feet, though we offer extensions with an extension range of up to 10 feet. However, it is possible that loads will increase rapidly on the arch spreader as the clearance is increased, so it’s important to follow instruction manuals carefully. You can also consult with a United Rentals specialist for additional guidance on using extension spreaders.

How do I transport an arch spreader?

  • Most arch spreaders will fit on a truck for transport purposes. Consult with your site manager or a United Rentals expert to determine the best method for transport as arch spreaders can vary in size and weight.

Arch Spreaders

Resources

How To Choose the Right Trench Safety & Shoring Equipment

Trench Dimensions

  • Confirm the depth, width and length of the trench, plus any utilities or obstructions that affect clearance and installation
  • These measurements determine the type of trench shoring rental and the components needed to keep workers safe and compliant
  • Rent trench and manhole boxes for to protect workers in excavations that are 5 feet deep or more
Trench Dimensions

Soil Type & Stability

  • Identify the type and stability of the soil at your excavation site to determine the type of shoring equipment rental needed for your project
  • If conditions vary along the trench, plan for the least stable section and adjust protection accordingly
  • For excavations with unstable soil conditions, use hydraulic shoring equipment to protect workers from cave-ins
Soil type

Worker Safety & Regulatory Compliance Requirements

  • Consider what crews will be doing in the trench and how long they’ll be exposed, including access and egress needs
  • Confirm OSHA and competent person requirements and pick components that support safe access and work activities
  • Rent confined space safety equipment, such as davit arm systems, guard rails and air monitors, to keep your workers safe at the excavation site
Worker safety

FAQs About Trench Safety & Shoring

United Rentals carries a comprehensive range of trench safety equipment for rent, from excavation shoring and shielding to the gear that protects crews and bystanders around an open dig. Our trench protection inventory includes trench boxes, hydraulic shoring systems and vibratory hammers for securing excavation walls, plus bedding boxes for pipe installation. Keep traffic and equipment moving over open work with road plates and trench covers or ground protection mats. We also carry confined space safety and rescue equipment, fall protection equipment, pipe and manhole testing equipment, crowd and traffic safety equipment and pumps for water management. Our shoring equipment rentals are modular and adjustable to fit a range of trench widths and depths, and they come from trusted manufacturers such as GME, Speed Shore and Pacific Shoring. Rent trench safety systems from United Rentals for underground utilities, emergency repairs, manholes, transportation, civil works and commercial or residential construction.

Check out our practical guide on trench safety and learn more in our FAQ section below.

What is the greatest hazard facing a worker while working in a trench?

According to OSHA, trench collapses pose the greatest risk to workers' lives. A collapse can happen without warning, so a competent person must inspect the excavation. Trenches 5 feet or deeper need an adequate protective system, such as a trench box or shoring. Review OSHA’s trenching and excavation guidance for the full list of hazards on your jobsite.

What is a trench safety system?

A trench safety system, also called a protective system, protects workers in an excavation from cave-ins. Under OSHA standard 1926.652, protective systems include sloping or benching the trench walls, supporting the walls with shoring and shielding workers inside a trench box. The right system depends on soil type, trench depth and site conditions. Contact our trench safety experts for help choosing a system for your project.

What should be used to protect a trench 5 feet or more in depth?

According to OSHA standard 1926.652(a)(1), workers in an excavation 5 feet or deeper must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system unless the excavation is entirely in stable rock. Shallower trenches also need protection if a competent person sees signs of a potential cave-in. Trenches 20 feet deep or more need a protective system designed by a registered professional engineer or based on tabulated data the engineer prepares or approves. Always confirm design requirements against the official standard for your jobsite.

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