United Rentals Tips On How To Use Trench Protective System Tabulated Data Properly Manufacturer’s Tabulated Data Can Save Lives at Trench and Excavation Worksites United Rentals, Inc. today shared trench safety tips to help contractors and utilities promote safe work practices in trenching and excavation operations. Developed from United Rentals’ extensive experience in trench safety projects, this guidance outlines how companies can use trench protective systems in the right way by following manufacturers’ tabulated data. Trench and excavation operations are among the most dangerous jobs in the construction and utility industries. While most trench fatalities happen in unprotected trenches, studies estimate that 24 percent occur when sloping, benching, shielding or shoring is used improperly. In these tragic incidents, OSHA tables and charts for sloping, benching, timber shoring or manufactured systems with tabulated data using shields or shoring are not being followed.