OSHA 10-Hour Construction ReviewFocus Four HazardsEasy
A worker is working on a scaffold at a height of 15 feet. To prevent objects from falling and striking workers below, what protective measure is most appropriate and often required by OSHA for the scaffold platform?
- APosting 'Watch for Falling Objects' signs.
- BInstalling toeboards along the edges of the scaffold platform.
- CUsing a safety net placed 10 feet below the scaffold.
- DRequiring all workers below to wear hard hats.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Installing toeboards along the edges of the scaffold platform.
OSHA requires toeboards (at least 3.5 inches high) along the edges of scaffold platforms to prevent tools, materials, and debris from falling and striking workers or others below. Hard hats are always required but don't prevent objects from falling.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Signs are warnings, not a physical prevention measure for falling objects.
- C. While safety nets can catch objects, toeboards are the primary and most common engineering control for preventing objects from falling from a scaffold platform itself.
- D. Hard hats protect against impacts but don't prevent objects from falling, and the goal is prevention.
Scaffold Toeboard Requirement
Toeboards must be installed on scaffold platforms to prevent tools and materials from falling onto workers below.
- Minimum 3.5 inches high.
- Prevents 'struck-by' injuries.
- Part of a complete fall protection system for scaffolds.
Memory trick: Toeboards stop the drops, keeping heads safe from plops.