Fall protection must be provided for scaffolds over 10 feet in height. According to OSHA standard 1926.451(g)(1), employees working on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 meters) above a lower level must be protected from falling using guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or other accepted protective measures. This requirement applies to most scaffolding except some specific types of suspension scaffolds that have additional rules for protection.
Key Points:
- The critical height for fall protection on scaffolds is 10 feet.
- Protection methods include guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems.
- Scaffold guardrail height must meet OSHA specifications (typically between 36 and 45 inches tall).
- This rule is primarily for construction and general workplace scaffolding safety to prevent serious injury or death from falls.
This is the widely recognized standard in the U.S. and emphasizes the importance of fall prevention on scaffolds above this height.
