§ 33.271. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Angle of slope—The maximum slope at which a mass of loose solid material such as sand, gravel, soil or rock will stand without sliding. The angle of slope shall not be greater than 60 degrees (1 foot rise to each 1/2 foot horizontal).

   Bracing—The method of reinforcing the sides of an excavation or the supporting members of sheeting in sheet piling.

   Chock—A block designed so as to stop the movement of wheels on trucks where and when desired. This is to prevent the truck from running away should the motor stall or air brakes fail when pulling out of a ramp.

   Cleat—A piece of lumber or metal used as a heel plate or shoe.

   Construction site—The area in which construction is taking place or which is utilized in connection with construction.

   Cribbing—Placing members parallel to each other as a means of support.

   Cross braces—Generally horizontal members placed between the stringers, or between uprights where stringers are not used.

   Deadman—A member laid horizontally in the earth to serve as a footing for shores or braces.

   Excavation—Any channel, gutter, ditch, trench, shaft or cut or any piercing of the earth 4 feet or more in depth in which men are located or permitted to work.

   Footing—Lower and expended portion of a foundation which rests on the excavated surface.

   Jack—A mechanical or hydraulic device used to lift, lower or move a load by manpower applied through leverage.

   Lumber—All lumber dimensions to be nominal dimensions.

   Mechanical digger—Any mechanical device or equipment which may be used in excavating.

   Person—Any individual, association, corporation, trust or business entity.

   Screwjacks—Crossbraces of metal pipe with a screw and cleat in one or both ends.

   Sheeting or sheet piling—A continuous wall of uprighters used to support and exclude running material.

   Shores—Members placed at a sloping angle between a stringer and a deadman to prevent collapse of a wall or of one side of an excavation.

   Shoring—The method of reinforcing the sides of an excavation, or the supporting members of sheeting in sheet piling.

   Standard railings—Vertical barriers erected along the exposed edges of open-sided floors, work platforms, runways, balconies and openings in walls, floors, and ground levels.

   Stringers or wales—Horizontal members laid parallel to the sides of the excavation against the uprights or sheeting.

   Toeboard—A board or plank set on edge immediately under a railing at floor level.

   Undercutting—The removal of earth or other material at the base of a vertical excavation.

   Underpinning—A solid structure introduced temporarily or otherwise beneath the foundation of an existing building to support it in case of alteration or excavation beneath the footings.

   Uprights—Planks or metal shapes placed vertically against the sides of the excavation.

   Wedges—Blocks cut or constructed at an angle and used to bring pressure on walers or stringers.