General Contractor Practice Exam

In the context of occupational safety during bridge construction, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) mandates that safety nets should extend at least 8 feet beyond the edge of a working surface. This requirement is designed to provide a larger area of protection to catch falling workers or materials, thus reducing the risk of injury. The rationale behind requiring a net extension of 8 feet lies in the dynamics of falls. When a worker slips or loses their footing, they might not fall straight down, and factors such as body movement or swinging can influence the actual landing point. By extending safety nets out adequately, OSHA aims to ensure that there is sufficient coverage to capture individuals before they fall from the elevated surface. Furthermore, the extended area allows for some margin of error in estimating where a fall might occur. An 8-foot extension helps accommodate various working conditions and the unpredictable nature of job sites. This guideline reflects a broader commitment to workplace safety by promoting best practices in fall protection systems.