1926.651(e): Stay Clear of Falling Loads
Employers must not let employees stand underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment, and must require employees to stand away from vehicles being loaded or unloaded. Operators may stay in vehicle cabs during loading only when the vehicle is equipped under 1926.601(b)(6) to protect them.
Key takeaways
- 1926.651(e) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 68 times in the last 3 years, in 68 inspections, with $318,016 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: FL (9), TX (7), CO (7).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.651(e) ("Exposure to falling loads") is one requirement inside 1926.651 Specific excavation requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart P). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(e) Exposure to falling loads. No employee shall be permitted underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment. Employees shall be required to stand away from any vehicle being loaded or unloaded to avoid being struck by any spillage or falling materials. Operators may remain in the cabs of vehicles being loaded or unloaded when the vehicles are equipped, in accordance with § 1926.601(b)(6), to provide adequate protection for the operator during loading and unloading operations. 68 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.651.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.651(e).
At 11:23 a.m. on September 24, 2024, Employee #1 was working inside a precast concrete manhole section that had been previously installed in an excavation. A second precast concrete manhole section, suspended above by rigging, came loose and fell approximately 9 feet. The falling load…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 19 |
Top states: FL (9), TX (7), CO (7), IL (5), GA (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 317737921 - NORTHWEST EARTHMOVERS INC | HILLSBORO, OR | $30,984 |
| ELDER CORPORATION | WAUKEE, IA | $14,063 |
| GEO TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATES, INC. | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $13,240 |
| WEEKLEY ASPHALT PAVING, INC. | MIRAMAR, FL | $11,916 |
| RFX2026XJW184X0193 - MCCAIN CONSTRUCTION LLC | SURPRISE, AZ | $11,823 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.651(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether it is permissible for an employee to remain in a trench box when materials are being lowered into it by a backhoe. (2007-12-19)
- Employee exposure to overhead loads in multiple lift rigging (christmas treeing) of steel members. (1996-12-20)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can workers stand under a load being lifted?
No. No employee shall be permitted underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment.
Where should workers stand when a truck is being loaded?
Away from the vehicle, to avoid being struck by spillage or falling materials.
Can the truck driver stay in the cab?
Yes, when the vehicle is equipped in accordance with 1926.601(b)(6) to protect the operator during loading and unloading.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.651 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.