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Quizzes > Business & Finance

Guarding every open-sided floor or platform: OSHA quiz

Quick, free quiz on OSHA guardrail requirements. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Myron GoldsmithUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz illustration on walking, working surfaces, guardrails, floor protection, fall prevention on teal background.

This quiz helps you check your grasp of guarding open-sided floors and platforms, including when guardrails are required to prevent falls. Build confidence with quick questions and clear answers, then explore related topics in our warehouse safety quiz or refresh basics with the osha ppe quiz.

At what minimum height does OSHA require a guardrail system for open-sided floors or platforms?
4 feet
5 feet
6 feet
3 feet
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.28 mandates that guardrail systems be installed on open-sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more above a lower level. This threshold helps prevent workers from unintentionally falling. Guardrails are a primary means of fall protection in general industry.
Which component is required at the top edge of a guardrail system?
Midrail
Top rail
Safety net
Toeboard
Guardrail systems must include a top rail along the exposed edge to serve as a physical barrier. The top rail prevents workers from falling over the edge. Other components, like midrails and toeboards, are supplementary but not substitutions.
What is the standard height for the top rail of a guardrail system?
36 inches (±2 inches)
48 inches (±4 inches)
42 inches (±3 inches)
30 inches (±2 inches)
OSHA requires the top rail to be installed at a vertical height of 42 inches, with a tolerance of 3 inches. This height provides an effective barrier while accommodating most worker heights. Installation outside this range could reduce fall protection effectiveness.
What is the minimum nominal height of a toeboard on open-sided floors or platforms?
4 inches
2 inches
3.5 inches
5 inches
Toeboards must be at least 3.5 inches in vertical height to keep materials and tools from falling off the edge. They also must be securely attached to prevent displacement under load. Proper toeboards reduce falling object hazards to workers below.
What is the maximum spacing allowed between guardrail posts (uprights)?
12 feet
6 feet
8 feet
10 feet
OSHA specifies that guardrail uprights should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart to ensure structural integrity. Closer spacing helps the system resist forces applied during accidental impacts. If posts are too far apart, rails may deflect excessively.
Which device can be used as an alternative to guardrails when guardrails are infeasible on open-sided platforms?
Safety net system
Warning signs
Barrier tape
Personal fall restraint lanyard only
Where guardrail installation is infeasible, safety nets can be installed under the walking surface to catch falling workers. Nets must be positioned no more than 10 feet below the work surface and meet performance requirements. Barrier tape or signs do not qualify as secondary fall protection.
Which federal agency sets the standard for open-sided floor guardrail requirements?
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
ASTM International
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issues and enforces regulations for workplace fall protection, including guardrails. NIOSH provides research but not regulatory standards. ANSI develops voluntary consensus standards. OSHA regulations are legally enforceable.
Guardrail systems must withstand a minimum force of:
200 pounds
250 pounds
150 pounds
100 pounds
OSHA requires guardrails to withstand at least 200 pounds of horizontal force applied within 2 inches of the top rail. This ensures the system remains intact if a worker leans or falls against it. Tests simulate real-world impacts to verify compliance.
What is the maximum permissible opening size in a guardrail system, based on a spherical test?
18 inches
12 inches
15 inches
19 inches
OSHA uses a 19-inch-diameter sphere test to measure openings in guardrail systems. Openings must be small enough to prevent such a sphere from passing through. This protects workers from slipping through gaps.
On a sloped roof with a pitch greater than 4 in 12, what guardrail height range is required?
40 to 48 inches
38 to 45 inches
36 to 42 inches
30 to 36 inches
OSHA 1910.28 requires guardrails on sloped surfaces to be 38 - 45 inches high to accommodate the pitch. The increased height helps prevent workers from slipping over the top rail on a slope. Proper installation reduces risk on inclines.
What is the minimum load capacity for covers placed over floor holes?
Twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials
500 pounds
Four times the weight of potential load
Equal to the weight of potential load
Floor hole covers must support at least twice the maximum expected load to prevent collapse. This factor of safety ensures that both static and dynamic loads are safely accommodated. Covers should also be secured to prevent displacement.
Which two components are required on an open-sided scaffold platform?
Safety net and toeboard
Top rail and safety net
Midrail and toeboard
Top rail and midrail
Scaffold platforms over 10 feet in construction must be equipped with both a top rail and midrail to protect employees from falls. Toeboards or nets may be added for falling object protection but do not substitute midrails. Compliance reduces scaffold-related injuries.
When using wire rope as a top rail, what is the maximum unflagged interval allowed?
8 feet
4 feet
10 feet
6 feet
If a wire rope is used for the top rail, high-visibility flags or equivalents must be attached at maximum 6-foot intervals. This ensures the rope rail remains visible to workers. The rope must also meet tension requirements.
What is the required height for a midrail in a guardrail system?
24 inches
21 inches
20 inches
18 inches
OSHA mandates the midrail be installed approximately halfway between the top rail and the walking surface, resulting in about 21 inches above the surface. This intermediate barrier reduces the risk of slipping under the top rail. Consistent placement is critical for uniform protection.
Which method is NOT acceptable as fall protection for a general industry open-sided floor at 5 feet above a lower level?
Personal fall arrest system
Safety net system
Guardrail system
Warning line system
General industry rules require guardrails, nets, or personal fall arrest systems at heights of 4 feet or more. Warning lines are not permitted on open-sided floors. They are used mainly in roofing operations under specific conditions.
What is the maximum gap allowed between a toeboard and the floor or platform surface?
0.5 inches
2 inches
0.25 inches
1 inch
Toeboards must fit closely to the walking surface, with no gap exceeding 0.25 inches, to prevent objects from falling through. Small gaps reduce the chance of materials slipping underneath. All openings are measured after installation.
Under a 200-pound load applied to wire rope guardrails, what is the maximum allowed deflection?
2 inches
4 inches
5 inches
3 inches
When wire rope is used as the top rail, it must deflect under 200-pound load to a minimum height of 39 inches, implying a maximum deflection of 3 inches from 42 inches. This ensures the system maintains protective height under load. Proper tensioning is required.
Which OSHA regulation specifically addresses guardrail systems on walking-working surfaces?
29 CFR 1910.23
29 CFR 1910.29
29 CFR 1926.501
29 CFR 1926.451
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.29 details design requirements for guardrail systems in general industry. While 1910.23 covers guardrails for specific floor and wall openings, 1910.29 provides the performance criteria. It was updated to consolidate fall protection rules.
What is the required minimum clearance between a safety net's lowest sag point and the surface below?
4 feet
5 feet
15 feet
10 feet
Safety nets must be installed with a minimum clearance of 10 feet below the lowest point of the net to prevent striking the surface upon worker impact. Proper net location and clearance calculations are critical for net effectiveness. This requirement is in OSHA 1910.28.
What is the maximum free-fall distance allowed in a personal fall arrest system?
5 feet
4 feet
9.5 feet
6 feet
OSHA limits free fall in a personal fall arrest system to 6 feet to minimize fall impact forces. Limiting free fall reduces the arresting force on the worker. Systems must be rigged accordingly.
What is the maximum allowable arresting force on a worker's body when using a personal fall arrest system?
1000 pounds
1500 pounds
1800 pounds
2000 pounds
OSHA stipulates that the maximum arresting force on a worker must not exceed 1,800 pounds. This limit lowers the risk of injury during fall arrest. Components must be tested to ensure they do not exceed this threshold.
How must floor hole covers be marked to identify the hazard?
With the word "HOLE" or "COVER"
With reflective tape
Painted yellow
Painted red
OSHA requires that hole covers be identified with the word "HOLE" or "COVER" to warn employees of the hazard. Markings make covers conspicuous and reduce the chance of accidental displacement. Paint color alone is not sufficient unless combined with text.
In the construction industry, at what height are guardrails required on scaffold platforms?
10 feet
6 feet
4 feet
15 feet
Construction standards (29 CFR 1926.451) require guardrails on scaffold platforms when the working height is greater than 10 feet. This requirement differs from the 4-foot threshold in general industry. Compliance prevents scaffold falls.
For ramp handrails under OSHA 1910.29, what is the required vertical height range?
34 to 38 inches
30 to 34 inches
40 to 46 inches
36 to 42 inches
OSHA 1910.29(c)(3) specifies that handrails on ramps must be 34 - 38 inches high. This differs from the 42-inch guardrail height for open?sided platforms. Proper height adapts to safe walking posture on ramps.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify OSHA Walking and Working Surfaces Standards -

    Recognize key regulations governing walking and working surfaces safety to ensure compliant guardrail and floor protection measures.

  2. Analyze Guardrail Safety Quiz Scenarios -

    Examine various workplace setups to determine whether guardrails and barriers meet required height, strength, and installation standards.

  3. Apply Fall Prevention Principles -

    Use proven fall prevention strategies to select and implement effective protective measures on elevated surfaces.

  4. Distinguish Compliant from Non-Compliant Systems -

    Compare different guardrail designs and installation methods to identify potential hazards on open-sided floors or platforms.

  5. Evaluate Workplace Slip Fall Prevention Strategies -

    Assess floor conditions and surface treatments to recommend solutions that reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls.

  6. Interpret Open-Sided Floor Protection Requirements -

    Understand the criteria for guarding every open-sided floor or platform, ensuring no gaps or openings compromise employee safety.

Cheat Sheet

  1. OSHA Guardrail Basics -

    Under OSHA 1910.23, every open-sided floor or platform 4 ft or higher requires a top rail 42 inches (±3 in) above the walking surface, a midrail at about 21 inches, and a toeboard if there's a risk of falling objects. Remember "Top, Mid, Toe" as a quick mnemonic to recall rail components. Industry tests require these rails to resist a 200 lb force, per ANSI A1264.1 standards.

  2. Height Thresholds for Fall Prevention -

    General industry rules mandate guard every open-sided floor or platform when the drop is 4 ft or more, while construction rules kick in at 6 ft (OSHA 1910.23 & 1926.501). Use a folding rule or laser measure to confirm heights before deciding on guardrail vs. alternate protection. This height-based approach is your first line of defense in any fall prevention quiz.

  3. Selecting the Right System -

    Choose guardrail materials (steel, aluminum, wood) and designs that meet load requirements and environmental needs - corrosion-resistant rails for outdoor decks, for example. A quick formula: Required rail strength ≥ 200 lb × Safety Factor (1.5) = 300 lb capacity. Schools like Purdue and research by NIOSH emphasize matching material properties to site conditions.

  4. Alternate Protection Methods -

    When guardrails aren't feasible, deploy personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) per OSHA 1910.140: full-body harness, shock-absorbing lanyard, and secure anchor. Use the mnemonic "Train, Harness, Anchor" to ensure all three elements are in place before work begins. University of Washington studies show that thorough PFAS training reduces fall incidents by up to 65%.

  5. Surface Maintenance & Housekeeping -

    Keep walking and working surfaces free of debris, spills, and obstructions to minimize slip and trip risks - aim for a COF (coefficient of friction) above 0.5, per NIOSH guidelines. Schedule daily walk-throughs and use "5S" lean methodology to maintain order and cleanliness. A well-kept platform is your best guardrail against everyday slip fall prevention challenges.

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