Rapid Delivery. Easy Setup. Maximum Safety.
Aluminium manhole boxes for access chambers, utility holes, and shafts. Simple design, easy to use, certified to meet safety standards.
Protection in Action
Compact & Lightweight
On a residential street with limited access, a crew can position the box using a smaller excavator—no need for heavy, large gear that creates delays because of limited space.
Quick Assembly
Two people and a digger operator can assemble and position the box in under 10 minutes. Quick and easy to keep tight projects on schedule.
Available in Three Sizes for the Right Fit
Choose from our range: 2.0m, 2.4m or 3.0m options. The option of using fixed or adjustable struts (ranging from 0.8m to 2.4m) allows you to tailor the box to different trench widths and project requirements, while still having the under-strut clearance for a pipe to pass through the shield.
Stackable for Deeper Excavations
All sizes can be safely stacked up to three boxes high as long as the ground kPa rating doesn’t exceed the box’s rating for deeper trenches. This provides extended protection without the need for additional systems. In multi-stage infrastructure projects, units can be stacked as the trench deepens, maintaining safety standards without reconfiguring the setup.
Built Tough, Engineered Right
All Guardian aluminium manhole boxes are engineered to meet New Zealand and international trench safety standards. You get strength, reliability, and peace of mind on any civil site.
Our Range
| Product Code | Panel Length | Panel Height | Panel Thickness | Weight Per Set | kPa Rating | Under Strut Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2407 | 2m | 2m | 56mm | 400kg | 30kPa | 0.56m |
| 2408 | 2.4m | 2.4m | 90mm | 1100kg | 90kPa | 1.15m |
| 2409 | 3.0m | 2.4m | 90mm | 1240kg | 60kPa | 1.15m |
Applications
Utility access chambers, manhole construction, shaft work, confined access excavations.
Product Videos
Become a Trench Shield Expert
- Aluminium Trench Shield Strength and Certifications!
- Our Aluminium Trench Shields VS Steel Trench Shields
- How & Why You Should Inspect Your Trench Shields
- Trench configuration – the right solutions keep people safe
- Modular Boxes vs Trench Shields: Which is Right for Your Job Site?
- What affects the cost of hiring a shield?
- Different Ways To Make Trenches Safe!
Customer Success Stories
Certified to International Standards
This trench box meets British and European Standards BS EN 13331.1 and 13331.2, Australian and New Zealand Standard AS 4744.1-2000, and United States Standard OSHA Sub Part P. These certifications attest to its quality and reliability, ensuring compliance with safety regulations across various regions.
Manhole Box Accessories
Why choose Guardian trench shields?
Lightweight without compromise
Complete shield setup. Small excavators can lift and position shields using inbuilt lifting points. This cuts machinery costs and makes shields accessible for restricted sites.
Built for New Zealand conditions
Aluminium doesn’t rust. In wet, muddy trench work, that longevity matters. Our shields handle New Zealand’s diverse soil types — from sandy coastal ground to heavy clay — without the corrosion issues affecting steel alternatives.
Flexible for real work
Multiple strut points mean you’re not locked into one position when services are in the way. Detachable 600mm legs keep shields off the trench bottom when pipes or cables run underneath. Adjustable struts (0.6m-3.5m) accommodate different trench widths.
Fast to deploy and move
Shields can be assembled or dismantled in minutes. Move quickly around busy sites or transport between jobs without specialised equipment.
Compliance and certification
Every Guardian shield meets or exceeds at least one of the following standards:
- New Zealand: AS 4744.1-2000
- Australia: AS 4744.1-2000
- United States: OSHA Sub Part P
- Britain & Europe: BS EN 13331.1 and 13331.2
Each shield carries an identification plate showing standards compliance. Certifications and Safe Use Manuals provided to support Health & Safety requirements and WorkSafe inspections. Reference guides on every shield show safe strut positioning.
Technical support
We understand site pressures. Projects run tight, ground conditions change, and you’re responsible for getting people home safe. We provide:
- On-site product demonstrations
- Crew training on proper installation and use
- Technical compliance advice
- Documentation for WorkSafe requirements
- Custom sizing for non-standard requirements
What do you need?
Whether you’re looking for a specific solution or an ongoing safety partner, we’re ready to talk.