An employee working on a residential roof with a 6:12 pitch (26.5° slope) must use fall protection when working more than how many feet from the roof edge?
Correct Answer
C) Fall protection is required regardless of distance from edge
On steep roofs (slopes greater than 4:12), OSHA requires fall protection regardless of the distance from the roof edge. The 6-foot rule only applies to low-slope roofs (4:12 or less).
Why This Is the Correct Answer
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13) specifically requires fall protection on steep-slope roofs (greater than 4:12 pitch) regardless of distance from the roof edge. Since a 6:12 pitch exceeds the 4:12 threshold, workers must use fall protection systems at all times when on the roof surface. The increased slope creates a significantly higher risk of sliding and falling, making distance-based exemptions unsafe.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 6 feet
The 6-foot rule only applies to low-slope roofs (4:12 pitch or less). On steep roofs like this 6:12 pitch, fall protection is required immediately upon accessing the roof surface.
Option B: 15 feet
There is no 15-foot distance rule for steep roofs. This distance-based approach only applies to low-slope roofing work, not steep-slope roofs exceeding 4:12 pitch.
Option D: No fall protection required on residential work
This is completely incorrect. OSHA fall protection requirements apply to all construction work, including residential projects. The type of building (residential vs commercial) does not exempt workers from safety requirements.
Memory Technique
Remember 'STEEP = SWEEP' - on Steep roofs (>4:12), you must Sweep away all distance exemptions and use fall protection everywhere.
Reference Hint
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13) - Fall protection requirements for steep roof work
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