1926.652(b)(1)(i): Sloping Excavations at 1.5 to 1
When employers use sloping to protect workers in excavations, the slope must be not steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical (34 degrees measured from the horizontal), unless the employer uses one of the other options allowed by the rule.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(b)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $77,830 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (3), AK (2), VA (2).
- Related part: 1926.652(b) Design of sloping and benching systems (114 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.652(b)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1926.652 Requirements for protective systems, 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
(i) Excavations shall be sloped at an angle not steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical (34 degrees measured from the horizontal), unless the employer uses one of the other options listed below. 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.652.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: TX (3), AK (2), VA (2), PA (1), WY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JOHN W. GLEIM JR. INC | SHIPPENSBURG, PA | $16,550 |
| INDEPENDENCE EXCAVATING, INC. | ASHBURN, VA | $15,875 |
| CROWN CONSTRUCTION, LLC | WHEATLAND, WY | $11,292 |
| ZTEX CONSTRUCTION, INC. | EL PASO, TX | $10,000 |
| DGS CONSTRUCTION, LLC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $9,745 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.652(b)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.652(b) Design of sloping and benching systems 114 citations
- 1926.652(b)(2) Option (2)—Determination of slopes and configurations using Appendices A and B 28 citations
- 1926.652(b)(3) Option (3)—Designs using other tabulated data 19 citations
- 1926.652(b)(1) Option (1)—Allowable configurations and slopes 19 citations
- 1926.652(b)(3)(iii) 15 citations
- 1926.652(b)(4) Option (4)—Design by a registered professional engineer 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the default slope for an excavation?
Not steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical, which is 34 degrees measured from the horizontal.
Are there other ways to slope?
Yes. The employer may use one of the other options listed in the rule instead.
What does 1.5 to 1 mean?
For every 1 foot of depth, the slope goes back 1.5 feet horizontally.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.652 (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.