1926.652(g)(1)(ii): Securing Trench Shields
Trench shields must be installed in a way that restricts sideways or other hazardous movement of the shield if sudden lateral loads are applied.
Key takeaways
- 1926.652(g)(1)(ii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 50 times in the last 3 years, in 50 inspections, with $355,204 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (6), TX (5), IN (5).
- 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)(1)(ii) 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
(ii) Shields shall be installed in a manner to restrict lateral or other hazardous movement of the shield in the event of the application of sudden lateral loads. 50 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(g)(1)(ii).
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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: WI (6), TX (5), IN (5), OH (4), IL (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SOUND CONSTRUCTION INC. | STAMFORD, CT | $165,514 |
| D GUERRA CONSTRUCTION LLC | PFLUGERVILLE, TX | $16,550 |
| A. LAMP CONCRETE CONTRACTORS, INC. | WINNETKA, IL | $16,550 |
| HURTADO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | FULSHEAR, TX | $15,970 |
| ELDER CORPORATION | WAUKEE, IA | $14,063 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.652(g)(1)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Allowable gap requirement between the trench shield and trench sides. (2013-03-11)
- Permissibility of installing a trench shield so that the top is flush with the surface. (2003-11-14)
- Trench shields must be installed to prevent lateral movement in a collapse. (1999-10-20)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.652(g) Shield systems 137 citations
- 1926.652(g)(1) General 99 citations
- 1926.652(g)(1)(iii) 44 citations
- 1926.652(g)(2) Additional requirement for shield systems used in trench excavations 38 citations
- 1926.652(g)(1)(iv) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How must trench shields be installed?
In a manner that restricts lateral or other hazardous movement if sudden lateral loads are applied.
What kind of load is this rule about?
Sudden lateral, or sideways, loads.
Which rule covers this?
1926.652(g)(1)(ii), excavations.
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.