Shield Systems

• Shield systems must not be subjected to loads exceeding those which the system was designed to withstand.
• Install shields in a way to restrict lateral or other hazardous movement of the shield in the event of the application of sudden lateral loads.
• Protect employees from the hazard of cave-ins when entering or exiting the areas protected by shields.
• Do not allow employees inside shields when shields are being installed, removed, or moved vertically.

Additional Requirement for Shield Systems Used in Trench Excavations

Excavations of earth material to a level not greater than 2 feet (.61 m) below the bottom of a shield must be permitted, but only if the shield is designed to resist the forces calculated for the full depth of the trench, and there are no indications while the trench is open of a possible loss of soil from behind or below the bottom of the shield.

To learn more about Trenching and Excavation visit our Trenching and Excavation Safety Online Training web page.