Which type of fall protection equipment is used to prevent a fall from occurring?

Fall-restraint systems are designed specifically to prevent a fall from occurring by limiting the movement of workers to safe areas. These systems typically include devices that keep a worker from reaching an edge or a zone where a fall could happen, such as lifelines or straps that limit how far a worker can travel. This proactive approach helps to ensure that the workers remain in a safe position at all times when working at heights.

In contrast, fall-arrest systems come into play after a fall has occurred, providing a means to safely arrest and support the worker. While safety harnesses are an important component of fall-arrest systems, they are not primarily intended to prevent falls from happening. Guardrails serve as a barrier at the edge of a surface to catch workers if they slip, but they do not actively prevent the fall the way fall-restraint systems do. Thus, understanding the role of these different types of equipment helps clarify why fall-restraint is the appropriate answer.