Trench Boxes are different from shoring because, instead of shoring up or otherwise supporting the trench face, they are intended primarily to protect workers from cave-ins and similar incidents.
The excavated area between the outside of the trench box and the face of the trench should be as small as possible. The space between the trench boxes and the excavation side are backfilled to prevent lateral movement of the box. Shields may not be subjected to loads exceeding those which the system was designed to withstand.
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trench_box.jpg
For additional information, see OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) VI. Shoring Types.
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