1926.652(c)(3): Protective Systems From Tabulated Data
Under this option, employers must select support systems, shield systems or other protective systems from written tabulated data such as tables and charts. The data must list what affects the selection, the limits of use, and explanations to help choose correctly, and at least one copy identifying the registered professional engineer who approved it must be kept at the jobsite while the system is built.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(c)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 26 inspections, with $244,260 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (7), MD (3), AZ (3).
- Related part: 1926.652(c) Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems (142 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.652(c)(3) ("Option (3)—Designs using other tabulated data") is one requirement inside 1926.652 Requirements for protective systems, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart P). It includes 6 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
(3) Option (3)—Designs using other tabulated data. 28 citations
(i) Designs of support systems, shield systems, or other protective systems shall be selected from and be in accordance with tabulated data, such as tables and charts. 3 citations
(ii) The tabulated data shall be in written form and include all of the following:
(A) Identification of the parameters that affect the selection of a protective system drawn from such data;
(B) Identification of the limits of use of the data;
(C) Explanatory information as may be necessary to aid the user in making a correct selection of a protective system from the data.
(iii) At least one copy of the tabulated data, which identifies the registered professional engineer who approved the data, shall be maintained at the jobsite during construction of the protective system. After that time the data may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy of the data shall be made available to the Secretary upon request. Open (c)(3)(iii) 23 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 | 8 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: IL (7), MD (3), AZ (3), FL (2), TN (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $182,064 |
| CPX2026XJW184X0220 - 3QO, LLC DBA 3QO PLUMBING | GLENDALE, AZ | $23,646 |
| BLUE STAR UTILITIES, LLC | ANNA, TX | $8,873 |
| MAURO SEWER CONSTRUCTION, INC. | WILMETTE, IL | $8,000 |
| GROUNDHOG EXCAVATIONS | BOULDER, CO | $3,972 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.652(c) Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems 142 citations
- 1926.652(c)(2) Option (2)—Designs Using Manufacturer's Tabulated Data 79 citations
- 1926.652(c)(2)(i) 43 citations
- 1926.652(c)(2)(iii) 27 citations
- 1926.652(c)(3)(iii) 23 citations
- 1926.652(c)(4) Option (4)—Design by a registered professional engineer 12 citations
- 1926.652(c)(1) Option (1)—Designs using appendices A, C and D 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must tabulated data include?
Identification of the parameters that affect selection, the limits of use of the data, and explanatory information to help make a correct selection.
Must the data be kept on site?
Yes. At least one copy, identifying the registered professional engineer who approved it, must be kept at the jobsite during construction of the protective system.
What happens to the data after construction?
It may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy must be made available to the Secretary upon request.
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.