End cap assembly for a trench box and method of utilization thereof

A trench box assembly for protecting a worker from falling debris, said trench box assembly comprising:

• a trench box having a first end and a second end, said trench box comprising:
• a first metal plate and a second metal plate arranged parallel to one another and laterally spaced apart from one another;
• a plurality of spreaders bars extending between the first metal plate and the second metal plate;
• an end cap assembly detachably operatively engaged with the plurality of spreader bars of the trench box such that the end cap assembly extends outwardly beyond the first end of the trench box;
• and
• wherein the end cap assembly includes a top wall and wherein the top wall is configured to prevent debris from falling onto the worker working below the top wall.

A method of protecting a worker in a trench from falling debris, wherein the method comprises:

• digging the trench to perform a work operation therein;
• providing a trench box including a first metal plate and a second metal plate arranged parallel to and laterally spaced apart from one another;
• providing a plurality of spreader bars extending laterally between the first metal plate and the second metal plate;
• engaging an end cap assembly with the trench box such that the end cap assembly projects outwardly beyond a first end of the trench box;
• providing a sloped top wall on the end cap assembly;
• angling the sloped top wall downwardly away from the plurality of spreader bars and the first end of the trench box;
• installing the trench box within the trench;
• causing debris falling on the sloped top wall to slide off the sloped top wall in a direction moving away from a safe space defined between the first metal plate and the second metal plate of the trench box;
• and
• protecting the worker within the end cap assembly when the worker enters an area of the trench below the end cap assembly.