At what minimum height is fall protection required?

Fall protection is required at a minimum height of four feet above the ground when working in general industry settings. This regulation is established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safety in the workplace. The reasoning behind the four-foot threshold is that falls from this height can result in serious injuries or fatalities, particularly in environments where people are working at elevated positions, such as on scaffolding, ladders, or any structure where workers may be at risk.

Other options present either lower or higher thresholds that do not align with OSHA’s guidelines for general industry. Two feet is generally considered too low for fall protection standards, as falls from that height are generally not viewed as high-risk. Six feet, while a standard for construction, and eight feet are both heights where fall protection requirements increase, but they do not adhere to the general industry standard that mandates protection starting at four feet. Understanding these guidelines helps in maintaining safety and compliance in various work environments.