1926.652(c)(4): Engineer-Designed Excavation Protective Systems
Employers using excavation support, shield or other protective systems not covered by Options 1, 2 or 3 must have them approved by a registered professional engineer. The design must be written, show the sizes, types and configurations of materials and identify the approving engineer, and at least one copy must be kept at the jobsite during construction of the system.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(c)(4) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $230,137 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OH (3), TN (2), MA (2).
- 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)(4) ("Option (4)—Design by a registered professional engineer") is one requirement inside 1926.652 Requirements for protective systems, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart P). It includes 5 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
(4) Option (4)—Design by a registered professional engineer. 12 citations
(i) Support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems not utilizing Option 1, Option 2 or Option 3, above, shall be approved by a registered professional engineer. 7 citations
(ii) Designs shall be in written form and shall include the following:
(A) A plan indicating the sizes, types, and configurations of the materials to be used in the protective system; and
(B) The identity of the registered professional engineer approving the design.
(iii) At least one copy of the design shall be maintained at the jobsite during construction of the protective system. After that time, the design may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy of the design shall be made available to the Secretary upon request. 3 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 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: OH (3), TN (2), MA (2), WI (1), AZ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $182,064 |
| STEVENS ENGINEERS & CONSTRUCTORS, INC | MIDDLETOWN, OH | $16,131 |
| BUCKET ENTERPRISES LLC. | SWAN LAKE, NY | $11,585 |
| STOUT CONSTRUCTION, LLC | MENOMONIE, WI | $7,904 |
| NATIONAL SHORING LLC | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $4,965 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.652(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
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)(3) Option (3)—Designs using other tabulated data 28 citations
- 1926.652(c)(2)(iii) 27 citations
- 1926.652(c)(3)(iii) 23 citations
- 1926.652(c)(1) Option (1)—Designs using appendices A, C and D 4 citations
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
When is an engineer's design required for trench protection?
For support systems, shield systems and other protective systems not using Option 1, Option 2 or Option 3.
What must the written design include?
A plan showing sizes, types and configurations of materials, and the identity of the registered professional engineer approving it.
Where must the design be kept?
At least one copy at the jobsite during construction of the protective system; afterward it may be stored off site but must be available to the Secretary on 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.