1926.652(g)(2): Digging Below a Trench Shield
Employers may dig earth material to a level not greater than 2 feet (.61 m) below the bottom of a trench shield, but only if the shield is designed for the forces of the full trench depth and there are no signs, while the trench is open, of possible soil loss from behind or below the shield bottom.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(g)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 38 times in the last 3 years, in 38 inspections, with $158,151 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (8), OK (5), MD (4).
- Related part: 1926.652(g) Shield systems (137 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.652(g)(2) ("Additional requirement for shield systems used in trench excavations") 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
(2) Additional requirement for shield systems used in trench excavations. Excavations of earth material to a level not greater than 2 feet (.61 m) below the bottom of a shield shall be permitted, but only if the shield is designed to resist the forces calculated for the full depth of the trench, and there are no indications while the trench is open of a possible loss of soil from behind or below the bottom of the shield. 38 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: IL (8), OK (5), MD (4), CO (3), MA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BLUE STAR UTILITIES, LLC | ANNA, TX | $24,842 |
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $16,550 |
| ELDER CORPORATION | WAUKEE, IA | $14,063 |
| RFX2026XJW184X0193 - MCCAIN CONSTRUCTION LLC | SURPRISE, AZ | $11,823 |
| H&H PLUMBING AND UTILITIES, INC. | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $10,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.652(g)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.652(g) Shield systems 137 citations
- 1926.652(g)(1) General 99 citations
- 1926.652(g)(1)(ii) 50 citations
- 1926.652(g)(1)(iii) 44 citations
- 1926.652(g)(1)(iv) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How far below a trench shield can we dig?
To a level not greater than 2 feet (.61 m) below the bottom of the shield.
What design is needed to dig below the shield?
The shield must be designed to resist the forces calculated for the full depth of the trench.
When must we stop digging below the shield?
If there are indications while the trench is open of a possible loss of soil from behind or below the bottom of the shield.
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.