Guardrails or personal fall arrest systems are required on scaffolds that are more than 10 feet (3.1 meters) above a lower level to protect employees from falling. These protection systems must be installed on all open sides and ends of the scaffold except the side next to a building or structure being worked on. The guardrail system must meet specific height and strength requirements, typically having a toprail height between 38 and 45 inches and being capable of withstanding at least 200 pounds of force. Sometimes, both guardrails and personal fall arrest systems are required, especially on certain suspension scaffolds or specific scaffold types.
In summary, the requirement for guardrails or personal fall arrest systems on scaffolds applies primarily when the working platform is over 10 feet above a lower level, to ensure worker safety from falls through proper fall protection measures.
