1926.652(d): Trench Protective System Materials
Materials and equipment for trench protective systems must be free of damage or defects and be used and maintained as the manufacturer recommends. If material or equipment is damaged, a competent person must examine it; if suitability cannot be assured, it must be removed from service and approved by a registered professional engineer before reuse.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 40 times in the last 3 years, in 33 inspections, with $301,024 in current penalties.
- Most citations: WI (5), TX (5), IL (4).
- Related part: 1926.652(d)(2) (20 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.652(d) ("Materials and equipment") is one requirement inside 1926.652 Requirements for protective systems, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart P). It includes 3 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
(d) Materials and equipment. 40 citations
(1) Materials and equipment used for protective systems shall be free from damage or defects that might impair their proper function. Open (d)(1) 15 citations
(2) Manufactured materials and equipment used for protective systems shall be used and maintained in a manner that is consistent with the recommendations of the manufacturer, and in a manner that will prevent employee exposure to hazards. Open (d)(2) 20 citations
(3) When material or equipment that is used for protective systems is damaged, a competent person shall examine the material or equipment and evaluate its suitability for continued use. If the competent person cannot assure the material or equipment is able to support the intended loads or is otherwise suitable for safe use, then such material or equipment shall be removed from service, and shall be evaluated and approved by a registered professional engineer before being returned to service. 5 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 | 4 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: WI (5), TX (5), IL (4), DE (3), MA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SOUND CONSTRUCTION INC. | STAMFORD, CT | $165,514 |
| BLUE STAR UTILITIES, LLC | ANNA, TX | $24,842 |
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $16,550 |
| BLACK ROCK CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, LLC. | BRUCEVILLE, TX | $12,744 |
| CPX2026XJW184X0206 - B & F CONTRACTING, INC. | PHOENIX, AZ | $9,457 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.652(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.652(d).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.652(d)(2) 20 citations
- 1926.652(d)(1) 15 citations
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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 damaged shoring be used?
A competent person must examine it. If they cannot assure it can support the intended loads or is otherwise safe, it must be removed from service.
Who approves damaged equipment for return to service?
A registered professional engineer must evaluate and approve it.
How must manufactured shields or shoring be used?
Consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations and in a way that prevents employee exposure to hazards.
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.