When is fall protection required on a construction jobsite?

Fall protection is mandated in construction settings primarily to safeguard workers from potential injuries due to falls. In general terms, the requirement establishes that when employees are working at heights where there is a risk of falling, protective measures must be implemented.

The correct choice indicates that fall protection is required when the working surface is more than 6 feet above a lower surface. This threshold is set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, which are applicable to the construction industry. The 6-foot standard is crucial as it addresses the significant risk posed by falls from height, likely to result in serious injury or fatality.

When planning safety measures on-site, knowing this requirement helps contractors assess risks and implement appropriate fall protection systems, such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, to ensure compliance and enhance worker safety.

Other options suggest thresholds of 4 feet, 8 feet, or 10 feet, which do not align with OSHA standards for construction. Thus, while they may seem reasonable, they do not reflect the legally established requirements necessary to ensure worker protection, making them inappropriate choices in this context.