North Carolina Building Contractor License Practice Exam

Whenever waste materials are dropped more than 20 feet, what must be used?

1. Guardrails

2. Safety nets

3. Scaffolding

4. Chutes

The correct answer is: Safety nets

In construction and demolition, when waste materials are being dropped from heights greater than 20 feet, safety nets must be utilized to prevent injuries and ensure that falling debris does not pose a risk to workers or bystanders below. Safety nets are designed to catch materials that may fall, allowing for a safer work environment. They are placed below the work area where materials might drop, and they can absorb the impact, distributing the force over a larger area. This measure is particularly crucial in high-risk work scenarios, where the potential for injury from falling objects is significant. Other options might address different aspects of safety or material handling, but in the context of preventing injury from waste falling from considerable heights, safety nets serve the specific purpose required by the regulations and safety guidelines. They are a proactive measure aimed at protecting people and property from the dangers associated with the dropping of materials from elevated positions.