Section R. 408.40944 - Benching and slopingRule 944.
(1) The angle of repose shall be flattened when an excavation has water conditions, silty materials, loose boulders, or areas where erosion, deep frost action, or slide planes appear.(2) When benching the side of an excavation, the vertical rise shall not be more than 5 feet and the step back shall extend at least to the angle of repose as required by table 1.(3) When benching a side of a trench, the height of the lower bench shall not be more than the lesser of 5 feet or width of the trench measured at the bottom.(4) An employee shall not be permitted to work on sloped or benched excavations at levels above another employee, except when an employee at the lower level is protected from the hazard of falling, rolling, or sliding material or equipment.Mich. Admin. Code R. 408.40944