Trench Lid Lifters: Simplifying Utility Trench Work with Specialized Ergonomic Equipment

Utility trench covers serve a crucial function, protecting wire, cable, gas lines, and other materials from environmental damage. However, as anyone who works with trench covers knows, they’re not always easy to move — concrete and dirt can weigh down the lids, creating a temporary seal that requires quite a bit of manpower to break. The lids themselves can also be heavy; while most trench covers weigh less than 100 pounds, some can weigh upwards of 200.

This weight creates an ergonomic hazard for workers, even when using specialized tools designed to lift trench lids. Those tools typically hook into the top of the access points, but workers must still rely on their own power to create the force necessary to move the lid. That’s also a serious ergonomic risk, since heavy lifting, bending, pushing, and pulling can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). As we note regularly, MSDs account for about 33 percent of all worker injury and illness cases, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics and OSHA, and employers have a responsibility to provide their employees with ergonomic tools that limit potential hazards.

Of course, that’s not always easy when addressing specialized tasks like trench lid lifting. The BHS Trench Lid Lifter TLL-300 is the first solution designed specifically for utility trench access points, and as with all of the company’s utility equipment, it is engineered to improve ergonomics and efficiency.

How Trench Lid Lifters Improve on Basic Lid Access Tools

Simple lid access tools require forceful exertion in a single direction — in other words, hard pulling and lifting. When covers are caked with mud and other substances, the work is strenuous and inefficient. On many sites, lift trucks and other heavy equipment can’t move easily to the utility trench access point, so workers must rely on manpower alone. Given the sizable risks involved with strenuous, awkward lifting, this is the exact type of situation that calls for specialized equipment.

Any worker can learn how to use the Trench Lid Lifter within a few minutes. The device uses dual scissor pins to attach to the lid. The pins spring open, creating an unbreakable grip. This design allows it to work with grates and other slabs; competing devices attach to the sides of the lid, which requires space (and as utility workers know, that space isn’t always available). The worker can then pull down on the adjustable handle, which moves the swiveling lifting beam. When the trench lid is clear, a retractable kickstand keeps it suspended, protecting the lid — and the workers — from accidental drops.

Essentially, the Trench Lid Lifter functions as a simple lever, but with numerous features that make it ideal for this specialized task. Extra-large casters allow for easy travel over virtually any ground, even rough gravel and pavement, and the swiveling lifting beam allows for any angle of approach. Since the handle is adjustable, workers of any height can use the TLL-300 comfortably, and comfortable grips add to the ergonomic benefits. Most importantly, the Trench Lid Lifter is constructed from heavy-duty steel with a durable powder coating for years of dependable use.

Trench Lid Lifters Aren’t Just for Utility Lids

As mentioned earlier, the Trench Lid Lifter can be used for grates and other slabs with lifting holes. The wide lifting angle ensures an incredible amount of levered force, despite the device’s small frame: The TLL-300 can easily lift slabs of up to 300 pounds, far exceeding the capacity of similar devices.

When used properly, the TLL-300 improves productivity by simplifying a difficult task. BHS designed the first Trench Lid Lifter for a major utility company, but the equipment is also useful in construction, electrical installation, and in any other situation that requires trench access.

Improving Efficiency During Utility Trench Work

While the TLL-300 is simple to use, employers should take a few precautions when adding new lifting equipment to ensure a smooth transition. First, workers should receive training to ensure that they know how to use the Trench Lid Lifter safely and ergonomically, and managers should set policies requiring the use of the device whenever trench access points are opened.

Second, buyers should consider whether custom options are appropriate. The Trench Lid Lifter handles grates and trench lids easily, but customized models may improve functionality for slabs with unusual specifications; contact the Solus Group sales team at (314) 696-0200 to learn more or to discuss a particular application.

Finally, workers should have access to enough Trench Lid Lifters to handle the entire project. This is most pertinent on large construction or installation sites. Workers can’t adapt to more efficient processes if they don’t have access to the equipment — ensure that an ample supply of Trench Lid Lifters are available for your entire workforce.