North Carolina Building Contractor License Practice Exam

How far must safety nets extend beyond the edge of the work surface?

1. 2 feet

2. 4 feet

3. 6 feet

4. 8 feet

The correct answer is: 4 feet

Safety nets are critical safety measures designed to catch falling workers or materials when working at heights. According to safety standards, for a safety net to effectively protect individuals and minimize the risk of falls, it must extend beyond the edge of the work surface. The requirement for safety nets to extend at least 4 feet beyond the edge is based on ensuring that they are not only positioned directly beneath the work area but also provide sufficient buffer space in case of swings or falls that might not be directly vertical. This additional coverage helps to account for horizontal movement, providing a greater degree of safety to workers. In addition, this extension helps prevent situations where a falling worker or object might miss the net entirely if the net were positioned too closely to the edge. The 4-foot extension is a standard measurement referenced in safety guidelines for construction sites, making it an important rule for ensuring worker safety. Other potential answer choices present greater distances than necessary, which may lead to confusion about the minimum requirement. However, the critical factor is ensuring adequate protection without exceeding practical requirements for safety apparatus placement.