How does fall protection differ from fall prevention?

Fall protection and fall prevention are critical components in workplace safety, especially in construction environments. The correct choice highlights the primary distinction between the two concepts. Fall prevention specifically aims to eliminate the risk of a fall occurring in the first place. This can include safety measures like guardrails, coverings for holes in floors, or other barriers designed to keep workers from falling.

On the other hand, fall protection comes into play when a fall cannot be completely prevented. In these scenarios, specialized equipment like harnesses, lanyards, and safety nets are employed to minimize the injury if a fall does occur. Therefore, the key difference lies in their proactive versus reactive roles: prevention seeks to stop the fall from happening, while protection is designed to safeguard individuals if a fall does occur. Understanding this difference is crucial for implementing effective safety measures on job sites.