What is a cave-in under OSHA?
A cave-in is the separation of a mass of soil or rock from the side of an excavation, or the loss of soil from under a trench shield or support system, in enough quantity to entrap, bury or otherwise injure and immobilize a person.
By Cairn. Updated . Sources: eCFR text as of October 27, 2026.
The legal definition
“Cave-in means the separation of a mass of soil or rock material from the side of an excavation, or the loss of soil from under a trench shield or support system, and its sudden movement into the excavation, either by falling or sliding, in sufficient quantity so that it could entrap, bury, or otherwise injure and immobilize a person.”
Where it applies
- 29 CFR 1926.651, Specific excavation requirements 3 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
- 29 CFR 1926.652, Requirements for protective systems 5 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
- 29 CFR 1926.650, Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart 7 paragraphs use the term.
In the enforcement record
Federal and state-plan agencies issued 8,789 cited violations under 29 CFR 1926.652, Requirements for protective systems, from January 2016 through September 10, 2026. The section ranks 30th among the 248 sections of 29 CFR cited at least 50 times. This is the count for the whole section, not for the term alone.
Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot.
See the full record for 29 CFR 1926.652Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.650, Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
- Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot. Cairn analysis of the OSHA enforcement record.
Written by Cairn, updated . The quoted text is copied from the sources above. A test compares each quotation with a stored copy of the source, and a separate script compares that copy with the live sources. This page explains the law and is not legal advice.