1926.652(b)(1): Sloping at 1.5 to 1
Employers who use this option must slope excavations at an angle no steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical (34 degrees measured from the horizontal), unless they use one of the other options. The slopes must be dug to match the Type C soil configurations in appendix B.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(b)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $158,106 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PA (4), AK (3), TX (3).
- 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) ("Option (1)—Allowable configurations and slopes") is one requirement inside 1926.652 Requirements for protective systems, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart P). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. 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
(1) Option (1)—Allowable configurations and slopes. 19 citations
(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. Open (b)(1)(i) 10 citations
(ii) Slopes specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, shall be excavated to form configurations that are in accordance with the slopes shown for Type C soil in appendix B to this subpart. 8 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.652.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: PA (4), AK (3), TX (3), VA (2), FL (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JOHN W. GLEIM JR. INC | SHIPPENSBURG, PA | $33,100 |
| INDEPENDENCE EXCAVATING, INC. | ASHBURN, VA | $15,875 |
| MVP PLUMBING CORP. | MOUNT PROSPECT, IL | $13,902 |
| CROWN CONSTRUCTION, LLC | WHEATLAND, WY | $11,292 |
| PILLARI BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION CORP. | NEWARK, NJ | $10,429 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.652(b)(1), 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)(3)(iii) 15 citations
- 1926.652(b)(1)(i) 10 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 standard slope for an excavation under Option 1?
No steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical, which is 34 degrees measured from the horizontal.
What soil type do the Option 1 shapes follow?
The slopes must form configurations shown for Type C soil in appendix B.
Is Option 1 the only way to protect a trench?
No. The employer may use one of the other options listed in the standard instead.
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.