A scaffold platform is 8 feet above the ground and has a 2-foot gap between the platform edge and the building face. What fall protection is required for workers on this scaffold?
Correct Answer
C) Guardrails on all open sides
At 8 feet height, fall protection is required. Since there's a 2-foot gap (more than 14 inches), guardrails must be installed on all open sides of the scaffold platform to prevent falls through the gap and over the edges.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
CORRECT_ANSWER - At 8 feet height, OSHA requires fall protection for scaffold workers since it exceeds the 6-foot threshold. The 2-foot gap between the platform and building face exceeds the 14-inch maximum allowable gap, creating a fall hazard. Guardrails on all open sides are required to protect workers from falls over the edges and through the excessive gap. This is the most appropriate and standard fall protection method for scaffold platforms with these dimensions.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Personal fall arrest system only
While personal fall arrest systems can provide fall protection, they are not the primary or most practical solution for scaffold platforms. Guardrails are the preferred method as they provide passive protection without requiring individual harnesses and anchor points for each worker.
Option B: Safety nets below the platform
Safety nets are not the standard or required fall protection method for scaffold platforms at this height. Guardrails are the primary requirement, and safety nets would only be considered as an alternative method in specific circumstances where guardrails cannot be installed.
Memory Technique
Think '6-14 Rule': 6 feet height = fall protection needed, 14 inches max gap allowed. If either is exceeded, guardrails are your go-to solution.
Reference Hint
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451 - Scaffolding standards, specifically sections on fall protection requirements and platform construction
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