Which type of fall protection is considered practical only when guard rails are impractical?

Safety nets are a type of fall protection that serve a critical role in preventing falls from elevations when other forms of guardrails are not feasible due to the nature of the work environment. They are designed to catch workers if they fall and can be particularly useful in high-risk areas, such as construction sites with overhead work or areas where guardrails cannot be effectively installed.

While guardrails are often the preferred method of fall protection because they create a physical barrier to prevent falls, there are situations where installing guardrails may not be practical due to space constraints, the nature of the job, or specific design features of the building or structure. In such cases, safety nets can provide an effective layer of protection, allowing workers to carry out their tasks with reduced risk. They are strategically placed below the work area and are constructed from strong materials that can absorb the impact of a fall, thereby enhancing worker safety when traditional forms of fall protection are not available.

Understanding these nuances helps emphasize the importance of selecting the appropriate fall protection method based on the specific work conditions and safety requirements.