At what height above a lower level is fall protection required on surfaces with unprotected edges?

• A. 6 feet (1.8 m)
• B. 4 feet (1.2 m)
• C. 8 feet (2.4 m)
• D. 10 feet (3.0 m)

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the height at which fall protection becomes required when you’re working on a surface with an unprotected edge. On construction-style work, the rule is that fall protection must be provided when you are six feet above a lower level. That threshold is chosen because at that height a fall could result in serious injury, so safeguards like guardrails, safety nets, or a personal fall arrest system are required to prevent falls. An unprotected edge is simply a location where there isn’t a barrier along the edge to stop you from stepping off. Below this height, protection is not generally mandated for unprotected edges, though other hazards or company policies can create different requirements.