What are trench covers?
Trench covers are sheets used to cover holes and trenches.
What types of trench covers are available?
Previously trench covers were heavy steel plates that were dropped to site in heavy vehicles. Lighter options have also been used such as timber, but timber is not a safe option as they are slippery and prone to breaking in outdoor conditions. The best form of trench covers is composite plastic.
How do I know the difference between a good and a bad composite trench cover?
The main difference is the strength of manufacture and the materials manufactured from. The best plastic trench covers have re-inforced steel reo bar within them, the premium option also has rubber edge technology, to avoid slipping and longevity of board, see pic below of a bad trench cover against a very popular and safe trench cover.
How Durable are trench covers?
A quality trench cover such as all of the Oxford Plastics Trench covers will last many years as they are manufactured to last using only quality components and also have UV inhibitors allowing extra long life in The harsh Australian weather.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Kerb Ramps
Is there Standards trench covers need to meet?
To be compliant on Australian Work sites Work Health Safety Act 2012 Part 4 Falls 78 – Management of risk of fall states“A person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must manage, in accordance with Chapter 3 Part 1, risks to health and safety associated with a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury to the person or any other person.
A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any work that involves the risk of a fall to which subregulation 1 applies is carried out on the ground or on a solid construction.
In this regulation solid construction means an area that has a surface that is structurally capable of supporting all persons and things that may be located or placed on it.
Oxford Plastics Trench Covers all meet Australian Standards 3996 Access for Covers & Grates and Australian Standards 1428 Design for Access & Mobility.
Unfortunately many people and businesses are fooled into purchasing and using cheap imitation boards like the one pictured above and therefore open themselves up to dangers to workers and pedestrians in and around sites.
