1926.652(c)(2): Protective Systems From Manufacturer's Tabulated Data
When trench support systems, shield systems or other protective systems are designed from manufacturer's tabulated data, employers must follow all of the manufacturer's specifications, recommendations and limitations. Deviations need the manufacturer's specific written approval, and this data and any approval must be in writing at the jobsite during construction of the system.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(c)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 79 times in the last 3 years, in 76 inspections, with $384,220 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (13), TX (9), MD (7).
- 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)(2) ("Option (2)—Designs Using Manufacturer's Tabulated Data") 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
(2) Option (2)—Designs Using Manufacturer's Tabulated Data. 79 citations
(i) Design of support systems, shield systems, or other protective systems that are drawn from manufacturer's tabulated data shall be in accordance with all specifications, recommendations, and limitations issued or made by the manufacturer. Open (c)(2)(i) 43 citations
(ii) Deviation from the specifications, recommendations, and limitations issued or made by the manufacturer shall only be allowed after the manufacturer issues specific written approval. 9 citations
(iii) Manufacturer's specifications, recommendations, and limitations, and manufacturer's approval to deviate from the specifications, recommendations, and limitations shall be in written form at the jobsite during construction of the protective system. After that time this data may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy shall be made available to the Secretary upon request. Open (c)(2)(iii) 27 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.652.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.652(c)(2).
At 11:23 a.m. on September 24, 2024, Employee #1 was working inside a precast concrete manhole section that had been previously installed in an excavation. A second precast concrete manhole section, suspended above by rigging, came loose and fell approximately 9 feet. The falling load…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Top states: IL (13), TX (9), MD (7), MA (6), ND (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PYLES PLUMBING AND UTILITY CONTRACTORS, INC. | PERRY, GA | $112,926 |
| CPX2026XJW184X0206 - B & F CONTRACTING, INC. | PHOENIX, AZ | $16,550 |
| CATTS CONSTRUCTION, INC. | CLEVELAND, OH | $16,385 |
| HURTADO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | FULSHEAR, TX | $15,970 |
| TIC - THE INDUSTRIAL COMPANY | SAVANNAH, GA | $13,714 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.652(c)(2), 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)(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)(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
Can we change how a trench box is used from what the manufacturer says?
Only after the manufacturer issues specific written approval.
Must the tabulated data be on site?
Yes. It must be in written form 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 2026-10-19
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.