At what height in feet above a lower level must an employee on a scaffold be protected from falling?

An employee on a scaffold must be protected from falling when working at a height of 10 feet or more above a lower level. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations stipulate that fall protection must be provided at this height because of the increased risk of serious injury or fatality associated with falls from such elevations.

At 10 feet, the likelihood of sustaining significant injuries in the event of a fall is considerably high, hence the requirement for safety measures such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems. This guideline helps ensure the safety of workers in construction and other industries where scaffolding is utilized. The remaining options represent heights where fall protection is either not mandated or considered less critical based on safety standards.