California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1541.1. Requirements for Protective Systems, Appendix B Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders Article 6. This appendix contains specifications for sloping and benching when used as methods of protecting employees working in excavations from cave-ins. Actual slope means the slope to which an excavation face is excavated.
Distress means that the soil is in a condition where a cave-in is imminent or is likely to occur.
Soil and rock deposits shall be classified in accordance with Appendix A to Section 1541.1. The maximum allowable slope for a soil or rock deposit shall be determined from Table B-1 of this appendix. The actual slope shall not be steeper than the maximum allowable slope. The actual slope shall be less steep than the maximum allowable slope, when there are signs of distress. When surcharge loads from stored material or equipment, operating equipment, or traffic are present, a competent person shall determine the degree to which the actual slope must be reduced below the maximum allowable slope, and shall assure that such reduction is achieved.