1926.652 Trench Cave-In Protection: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Workers in excavations must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system such as sloping, benching, shoring, or trench boxes, unless the excavation is in stable rock or less than 5 feet deep with no indication of potential cave-in. Systems for excavations deeper than 20 feet must be designed by a registered professional engineer. The section details design options and installation and removal procedures.
What the standard requires
- Protect workers with sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding
- Design systems according to the standard's appendices or tabulated data
- Have a registered professional engineer design systems over 20 feet deep
- Install and remove support systems in a manner that protects workers
Hazards it addresses
- Trench collapse and suffocation
- Crushing injuries from soil and rock
Cited heavily among utility, plumbing, and underground pipeline contractors.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.652(a)(1) | Each employee in an excavation must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system. | 442 | 425 | $4,965 |
| 1926.652(g)(2) | Shield systems such as trench boxes must not be subjected to loads exceeding their design and must be installed properly. | 15 | 15 | $3,015 |
| 1926.652(g)(1)(ii) | Shield systems such as trench boxes must not be subjected to loads exceeding their design and must be installed properly. | 14 | 14 | $3,310 |
| 1926.652(c)(2)(i) | Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems. | 11 | 11 | $2,838 |
| 1926.652(b) | Design of sloping and benching systems must follow one of the permitted options. | 10 | 10 | $4,468 |
| 1926.652(b)(2) | Design of sloping and benching systems must follow one of the permitted options. | 10 | 10 | $5,142 |
| 1926.652(c)(2)(iii) | Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems. | 9 | 9 | $0 |
| 1926.652(g)(1)(iii) | Shield systems such as trench boxes must not be subjected to loads exceeding their design and must be installed properly. | 9 | 9 | $8,513 |
| 1926.652(c)(3)(iii) | Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems. | 6 | 6 | $3,386 |
| 1926.652(d)(2) | 6 | 6 | $4,090 | |
| 1926.652(c)(4)(i) | Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems. | 5 | 5 | $4,965 |
| 1926.652(d)(1) | 5 | 5 | $9,457 | |
| 1926.652(a)(1)(ii) | Each employee in an excavation must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system. | 4 | 4 | $6,990 |
| 1926.652(c) | Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems. | 4 | 4 | $0 |
| 1926.652(b)(1)(i) | Design of sloping and benching systems must follow one of the permitted options. | 3 | 3 | $5,100 |
Penalties
Across 578 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $7,913,188 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $6,739,795, 15% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 75%; Other-than-serious 13%; Repeat 8%; Willful 4%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 42 | 47 | $685,785 | $509,758 |
| Illinois | 28 | 33 | $357,206 | $240,596 |
| North Carolina | 25 | 27 | $168,505 | $152,480 |
| Ohio | 24 | 25 | $401,195 | $136,647 |
| Virginia | 23 | 24 | $688,051 | $642,978 |
| New York | 22 | 26 | $83,132 | $80,893 |
| Florida | 21 | 24 | $167,038 | $132,268 |
| Colorado | 19 | 21 | $180,305 | $148,467 |
| Minnesota | 19 | 19 | $38,450 | $30,950 |
| Tennessee | 17 | 26 | $201,850 | $195,850 |
| Kentucky | 16 | 16 | $72,100 | $64,550 |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 16 | $91,718 | $62,330 |
| Massachusetts | 15 | 40 | $2,302,675 | $2,291,680 |
| Missouri | 13 | 14 | $79,774 | $53,616 |
| Nevada | 13 | 15 | $71,943 | $56,101 |
| South Dakota | 13 | 15 | $202,564 | $135,508 |
| Arizona | 12 | 19 | $218,361 | $218,361 |
| Maryland | 12 | 18 | $2,925 | $2,925 |
| Oregon | 12 | 12 | $109,693 | $109,693 |
| Indiana | 11 | 12 | $110,850 | $69,750 |
By industry
- Construction: 453 inspections
- Utilities: 10 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 5 inspections
- Arts, entertainment & recreation: 3 inspections
- Public administration: 3 inspections
- Manufacturing: 2 inspections
- Professional & technical services: 2 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 2 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H & H Plumbing & Utilities | Oklahoma City, OK | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $17,023 | $17,023 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Tonawanda Town Water & Sewer Department | Tonawanda, NY | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Truluck Construction Inc. | Summerville, SC | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Status not determinableAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Norris Bros. Excavating LLC | La Follette, TN | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $70,000 | $70,000 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contested Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Flatland Excavating LLC | Dickinson, ND | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $27,804 | $19,463 | Informal settlementAbatement due Nov 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mammoth Underground LLC | Las Vegas, NV | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $12,768 | $12,768 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Jabal Companies, LLC | Belton, MO | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,979 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Williams and Sons Excavating LLC | Marysville, OH | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $27,804 | $27,804 | OpenAbatement due Sep 15, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Jerry T. Whitmire Grading, Inc. | Fletcher, NC | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| T & M Concrete, LLC | Sioux Falls, SD | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $1,929 | $1,157 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Holland Backhoe, Inc. | Oklahoma City, OK | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $2,128 | $1,277 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Boulder, CO | Aug 25, 2026 | 2 | $7,944 | $7,944 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Holland Backhoe, Inc. | Shawnee, OK | Aug 25, 2026 | 2 | $6,030 | $3,618 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Southwest Industrial Electric | Reno, NV | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $1,774 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| BDG Property LLC | Portland, OR | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $3,037 | $3,037 | Final order | osha.gov |
| M.H.S. LLC | Independence, MO | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | ContestedContested Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Joel Kennedy Constructing Corp. | Elgin, IL | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $7,944 | $7,944 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contested Sep 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Elite Grading, LLC | Hixson, TN | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| D & R Civil Construction Inc. | Brooksville, FL | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenAbatement due Sep 17, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 14, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Wells Excavating LLC | Whitewater, CO | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Cameron & Company, Inc. | Whitewater, CO | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $5,628 | $2,300 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Best Plumbing of Mt. Calvary, LLC | Elkhart Lake, WI | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenAbatement due Sep 21, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 14, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| EJR Services, Inc. | Palatine, IL | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $2,500 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| American Express Excavation, LLC | Menomonie, WI | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $4,502 | $3,151 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Walt's Petroleum Service, Inc. | Menomonie, WI | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $4,502 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Infratech International, LLC | Mangilao, GU | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $8,276 | $4,138 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Estrada Concrete Company, LLC | Richardson, TX | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Maronda Homes of Cincinnati LLC | Rabbit Hash, KY | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $6,300 | $6,300 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 24, 2026Contested Sep 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| R D Construction, LLC | San Antonio, TX | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $3,405 | $1,500 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Arnold & Sons Plumbing-Heating-A/C, Inc. | Morton, IL | Aug 18, 2026 | 3 | $29,794 | $19,863 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| DNT Construction LLC | Elmendorf, TX | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $6,620 | $6,620 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Denbow Company, Inc. | Leander, TX | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $7,566 | $7,566 | OpenAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Anderson Heating and Cooling | Willoughby, OH | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $9,268 | $4,634 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| J W Harris Contractors Inc. | Wesley Chapel, FL | Aug 17, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenAbatement due Aug 27, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 8, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| West Wilson Utility District - Administrative Office | Mount Juliet, TN | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Armada Poured Walls LLC | Rabbit Hash, KY | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 18, 2026Contested Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Des Moines Excavating, LLC | Des Moines, IA | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenAbatement due Sep 10, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 4, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Paragon Site Solutions, LLC | Concord, NC | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $20,000 | $20,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Scherber Roll-Offs LLC dba T Scherber Demo - Excav | South Saint Paul, MN | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $3,300 | $3,300 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 18, 2026Contested Sep 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Paramount Realty Services Incorporated | Enfield, CT | Aug 12, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 29, 2026Contested Aug 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.651 Excavation Safety (332 shared inspections)
- 1926.21 Construction Safety Training (71 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (60 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (45 shared inspections)
- 1926.251 Rigging Equipment (10 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (10 shared inspections)
- 1926.50 Construction First Aid (8 shared inspections)
- 1904.40 Producing Injury Records (8 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.652 require?
Workers in excavations must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system such as sloping, benching, shoring, or trench boxes, unless the excavation is in stable rock or less than 5 feet deep with no indication of potential cave-in. Systems for excavations deeper than 20 feet must be designed by a registered professional engineer. The section details design options and installation and removal procedures.
How often was 1926.652 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.652 (Trench Cave-In Protection) appeared in 489 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 578 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.652 is cited most?
1926.652(a)(1) was the most-cited paragraph, with 442 items: Each employee in an excavation must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system.
Which states cite 1926.652 most often?
The most citations under 1926.652 in this period were issued in Texas, Illinois, North Carolina.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.652 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $4,965; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $3,972. Totals: $7,913,188 proposed, $6,739,795 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.652 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 20% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.