Articles On Road Plates

 Summaries:

• In this comprehensive article, we will define the various advantages of road plates for sale, highlighting how they enhance safety, streamline operations, and improve road conditions. Read Article

• Construction projects often require temporary solutions to create stable and safe pathways for vehicles and equipment to navigate challenging terrains. Road plates, also known as steel road plates, are versatile and robust tools that fulfil these needs effectively. They offer a temporary and reliable surface, making them indispensable for construction sites, road works, utility repairs, and various other applications. Read Article

• Road plates play a pivotal role in construction and infrastructure projects, offering a myriad of benefits that contribute to the efficiency, safety, and durability of roadways. Read Article

• Discover the multiple applications and advantages of road plates for temporary surface solutions. Explore how road plates enhance safety and efficiency in construction, utilities, and more. Read Article

• Road plates have become an indispensable tool in the construction and infrastructure industry. These heavy-duty metal plates offer a versatile solution for bridging gaps, protecting underground utilities, and providing safe temporary surfaces. Read Article

Steel Road Plates

Steel road plates, also known as steel trench plates or road mats, are large metal sheets used to cover and protect roadways or excavations temporarily. They are typically made of high-strength steel to withstand heavy loads, such as the weight of vehicles and construction equipment. These plates are commonly used in construction, roadwork, and utility projects where temporary access is needed over a trench, excavation, or other open areas.

Here are some key features and uses of steel road plates:

1. Material: Steel road plates are usually made from durable materials such as high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel or other high-strength steel alloys. This ensures that the plates can handle heavy loads without deforming or breaking.

2. Sizes and Thickness: Steel road plates come in various sizes and thicknesses to accommodate different applications and load requirements. Common sizes range from 6 feet by 8 feet to 8 feet by 20 feet, and thicknesses can vary from 0.5 inches to 1 inch or more.

3. Usage:

   • Trench Cover: One of the primary uses of steel road plates is to cover trenches or excavations temporarily, allowing traffic to pass over safely. This is crucial in urban areas where road closures can cause significant disruptions.
   • Access Roads: They are often used to create temporary access roads over soft or uneven ground, providing a stable surface for vehicles and equipment.
   • Construction Sites: Steel road plates are employed on construction sites to facilitate the movement of heavy equipment and vehicles.

4. Installation: Installing steel road plates requires proper equipment, such as cranes or forklifts, due to their considerable weight. They are positioned over the open area, providing a stable surface for vehicles to traverse.

5. Safety Considerations: Proper installation and safety measures are essential when using steel road plates. Securing the plates in place to prevent movement is crucial to avoid accidents. Additionally, anti-skid coatings or textures may be applied to enhance traction and reduce the risk of slipping.

6. Regulations: Local regulations and guidelines may dictate the use of steel road plates, including specifications for load-bearing capacity, placement, and safety measures.

It's important to note that while steel road plates are effective for temporary use, they are not a permanent solution. Once the construction or utility work is complete, these plates are typically removed, and the road or excavation is restored to its original condition.

Selling Used Trench Boxes

Selling a used trench box can present certain challenges. If the box has been damaged and repaired, it might need to be re-certified. Additionally, after years of use the trench box original certification sheet is often nowhere to be found. Without the certification sheet, the trench box is essentially worthless. Or, worth only the price of scrap metal. Depending on the condition of the trench box, the manufacturer  might be willing to issue a re-certification. With OSHA fines easily reaching into the ten's of thousands of dollars, not having the certification sheet quickly becomes an important issue.

OSHA Soil Classifications

A Summary of OSHA Soil Classifications

 

When performing an excavation on a jobsite it is important to determine the soil type. Failure to comply with their standards can result in a costly OSHA violation. OSHA has divided the types of soil that construction workers would be working with into three categories, Type A, Type B, and Type C. The first category, Type A is the most stable and safe ground to work in and the third category, Type C is the least stable.

Knowing your soil type will help you choose the correct trench box. Iron Lot is a good source to buy one from.

The first is High Stability (Type A Soil), also known as Class A Soil. This first category consists of clay, silty clay, sandy clay, and clay loam. OSHA states that no soil is Type A if it is fissured, is subject to vibration, has previously been disturbed, or has seeping water.

The second classification is Medium Stability (Type B Soil), also known as Class B Soil. This second group of soil consists of silt, sandy loam, medium clay, and unstable dry rock. Type B soil also includes previously disturbed soils, except those that would be classified as Type C soil. Further, Type B Soil includes soil that meets the requirement of Type A soil, but is fissured or subject to vibration.

The third and final category is Low Stability (Type C Soil), also known as Class C Soil. This third group of soil includes gravel, sand, loamy sand, soft clay, submerged soil, dense unstable rock, or soil from which water is freely seeping.

Understanding Soil Classifications Lead to Safer Job Sites

Understanding these three types of soil defined by OSHA is a key factor in making key decisions concerning the safety of the excavation. These factors play a role in determining the proper trench shield to use on the job. The depth rating of the trench shield should meet or exceed the depth of the trench and corresponding soil type. For example, if the soil type is Class C and the depth of the trench is 12', the Class C depth rating of the trench box should be at least 12'. 

Bedding Boxes

 

Bedding Boxes Save Time and Materials

Using a bedding box to contain bedding material such as rock and stone will certainly save time and money. The alternative is to let the bedding material pile up and spill all over the job site. This creates waste and a poor quality of bedding material as dirt gets mixed into the excavator bucket load. Additionally, the bedding material can be moved along as the job progresses when it is stored in a bedding box.
The Kundel Bedding Box makes moving the box around the jobsite easier with the addition of a walk-bar and drag-bar. These two features come standard along with the tapered front end of the Titan model. The tapered front end also known as the fast-fill design allows the excavator operator to see into the bedding box as the bucket is being loaded. This results in less spills and a reduction in wasted material. Standard sizes include 4.5 yard, 6 yard, 7.5 yard, and 9 yard bedding boxes.

Trench Safety Begins Before You Dig

One can only hope this picture did not involve a worker going into this excavation without a trench box.  Even with the use of a trench box the spill pile is way too close the trench and has already started to fall back in. This is a trench collapse waiting to happen. It is also a good example of needing to properly plan before you dig.  Setting the pile further away would increase both safety and efficiency of production.  You have heard the old saying don't fall in the same hole twice, well don't dig in the same hole twice is also fitting.  It is an easy mistake to make, but it is one that can cost a life if you are not careful. If you are considering purchasing a trench box, Iron Lot has many to choose from.