What type of fall protection is required for workers on roofs?

The correct answer is that personal fall arrest systems or guardrails are required depending on the height and slope of the roof. This reflects OSHA regulations that aim to minimize the risk of falls, which are one of the leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry.

For roofs, OSHA specifies that when working at heights of six feet or more in the construction industry, appropriate fall protection is necessary. Guardrails provide a passive form of protection by creating a barrier that workers cannot fall over, while personal fall arrest systems actively stop falls before they can occur. The choice between these methods often depends on specific factors such as the steepness of the roof and the nature of the work being performed. These guidelines ensure that necessary precautions are taken to protect workers effectively while they perform tasks at elevation.

In contrast, relying solely on safety harnesses without any additional measures does not provide a comprehensive safety strategy. Safety nets alone may not always be applicable nor sufficient for all roof work scenarios. Additionally, assuming that no fall protection is needed for flat roofs disregards the potential fall hazards that still exist, which OSHA regulations clearly intend to address. By emphasizing the need for either guardrails or personal fall arrest systems, the correct answer underscores the necessity of safeguarding workers on all types of