Berm
Berm turns up in 2 fields: mining, building. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Berm in mining
A horizontal shelf or terrace cut into the steep wall of an open-pit mine.
A berm is a flat, engineered ledge left on the slope of a surface excavation or open-pit mine. These terraces catch falling rocks and debris, preventing them from tumbling down to the lower working levels. Berms also provide access routes for maintenance and help stabilize the overall highwall against catastrophic failure.
"Keep the haul truck away from the edge of the berm until the grader clears the loose rock."
Berm in building
A constructed mound or bank of earth used for drainage control, landscaping, or barrier purposes.
A raised ridge of compacted soil built on a construction site. Contractors build them to direct surface water runoff away from excavations, block noise, or separate different areas of a site. They act as physical barriers and are often seeded with grass to prevent erosion.
"The inspector wants a two-foot berm around the fuel tank storage area to contain any spills."