1926.652(e)(1): Support Systems in Excavations
Employers must securely connect support system members to prevent sliding, falling, kickouts or other failure, install and remove them to protect workers, and not overload members. Before temporary removal of members, extra precautions are required; removal starts at the bottom, members are released slowly, and backfilling progresses with removal.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(e)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $60,112 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (2), IL (2), WI (1).
- Related part: 1926.652(e) Installation and removal of support (23 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.652(e)(1) ("General") 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
(1) General. 14 citations
(i) Members of support systems shall be securely connected together to prevent sliding, falling, kickouts, or other predictable failure. 6 citations
(ii) Support systems shall be installed and removed in a manner that protects employees from cave-ins, structural collapses, or from being struck by members of the support system. 7 citations
(iii) Individual members of support systems shall not be subjected to loads exceeding those which those members were designed to withstand. 1 citations
(iv) Before temporary removal of individual members begins, additional precautions shall be taken to ensure the safety of employees, such as installing other structural members to carry the loads imposed on the support system.
(v) Removal shall begin at, and progress from, the bottom of the excavation. Members shall be released slowly so as to note any indication of possible failure of the remaining members of the structure or possible cave-in of the sides of the excavation.
(vi) Backfilling shall progress together with the removal of support systems from excavations.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.652.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TX (2), IL (2), WI (1), CT (1), GA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $16,550 |
| STEVENS ENGINEERS & CONSTRUCTORS, INC | MIDDLETOWN, OH | $16,131 |
| BPC, L.P. | HOUSTON, TX | $7,904 |
| M&O CONSTRUCTION CO. INC. | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $7,500 |
| REDDI SERVICES, INC | MISSION, KS | $3,641 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.652(e)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.652(e)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.652(e) Installation and removal of support 23 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Where does removal of support systems start?
At the bottom of the excavation.
How should members be released?
Slowly, to note any sign of possible failure or cave-in.
When is backfilling done?
Together with the removal of support systems.
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.