OSHA 10-Hour Construction ReviewFocus Four HazardsMedium
A worker is performing work on a flat roof with an unprotected edge that is 7 feet above the lower level. According to OSHA standards, what specific fall protection threshold does this height trigger?
- AFall protection (guardrails, safety nets, or PFAs) is required.
- BPersonal fall arrest systems are required only if the work is near the edge.
- CAny fall protection is optional at this height.
- DA warning line system is sufficient for this height.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Fall protection (guardrails, safety nets, or PFAs) is required.
OSHA 1926.501(b)(1) states that each employee on a walking/working surface (including roofs) with an unprotected side or edge that is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. 7 feet exceeds this 6-foot threshold.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Fall protection is required for the entire unprotected edge, not just 'near' it, and specific systems are mandated, not just PFAs conditionally.
- C. Fall protection is mandatory at or above 6 feet, making this option incorrect.
- D. A warning line system alone is typically for low-slope roofs at heights of 6 feet or more, but only when used in specific combinations or for designated areas, and not as a standalone solution for an unprotected edge where a fall could occur.
General Fall Protection Threshold
Fall protection is required for construction workers exposed to a fall of 6 feet or more to a lower level.
- Applies to unprotected edges, holes, and leading edges.
- Methods include guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems.
- Critical to preventing severe injuries or fatalities.
Memory trick: Six feet or more, safety's the core.