Final answer:
OSHA requires employers to provide fall protection for construction workers working at heights of six feet or greater. This includes safety harnesses, safety lines, or guardrails, along with training and other measures to ensure safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, mandates that employers provide fall protection for construction workers working on sites with unprotected sides and edges. This fall protection is required when workers are at heights of six feet or greater.
Employers must implement systems such as safety harnesses, safety lines, or guardrails to ensure the safety of their workers at such elevations. These measures aim to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities due to falls, which are among the most common accidents on construction sites.
Moreover, employers are required to minimize hazards by altering working conditions and providing necessary personal protective equipment at no cost. In addition to fall protection, employers must also provide adequate training, air sampling tests, medical exams, and comply with the General Duty Clause which specifies keeping the workplace free of serious recognized hazards.