The barrier must cover an area from 12 to 60 inches off the floor as a minimum.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not Applicable
• D. Not Sure

Answer: (B)

Blocking access to the hazard relies on guarding the part of the space where a person could actually reach with hands or arms. Requiring a barrier to cover from 12 to 60 inches off the floor targets the typical reach envelope for a standing worker: it blocks the mid-range where manipulation and contact with the machine are most likely. The lower bound of 12 inches helps prevent gaps that a kneeling, crouching, or crawling worker could exploit to slip under the guard, while the upper bound of 60 inches helps keep someone from reaching over or climbing around the barrier. This minimum coverage ensures the barrier effectively interrupts the most common access paths to the danger area, making it a sound safety requirement.