Which skylight safety feature is required to prevent falls?

• A. No protection required
• B. Skylight screen or fixed standard railing on all four sides
• C. A temporary cone barrier
• D. Personal fall arrest system only

Answer: (B)

The protection around skylight openings must create a continuous barrier on all sides to stop a fall before it happens. A skylight screen or a fixed standard railing around every edge provides that four-sided guard, so a worker cannot step or fall through the opening from any direction. This passive protection is required because it directly prevents access to the hazard and doesn’t rely on a worker’s action or timing.

Relying on a personal fall arrest system alone isn’t acceptable as the sole protection around a skylight. It may prevent serious injury after a fall starts, but it doesn’t prevent the initial fall through an open opening, and it requires proper use, inspection, training, and rescue readiness. Temporary cone barriers aren’t recognized as adequate permanent protection for floor openings, which must be guarded with a stable barrier. Therefore, the correct approach is a four-sided guarding solution, such as a skylight screen or fixed railing, to prevent falls.