Within how many feet of the floor must hoisting ropes be guarded?

• A. 5 ft
• B. 7 ft
• C. 10 ft
• D. 12 ft

Answer: (B)

Guarding hoisting ropes within a specific distance from the floor is a safety measure to protect workers from contacting a moving rope. When loads are raised or lowered, the hoisting rope can swing or whip, and contact with skin, clothing, or hair can cause serious injury. Requiring guarding within seven feet of the floor places a protective barrier in the zone where workers are most likely to be near the rope, reducing the risk of entanglement or impact.

So, the standard risk-reducing distance is seven feet. Beyond that height, the immediate hazard to floor workers is less, so guarding isn’t mandated by this rule, though other safety practices still apply.