What type of system is a barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels?

A guardrail is designed specifically to serve as a barrier that helps prevent employees from falling to lower levels. Constructed from sturdy materials, guardrails provide a clear physical boundary where there could be a drop-off, such as on elevated platforms or scaffolds. They are typically required by safety regulations and standards to ensure the safety of workers in construction and maintenance environments.

Guardrails are crucial because they enhance workplace safety by minimizing the risk of falls, which are a significant cause of injuries in many industries. Their design allows for easy visibility and can often be supplemented with toeboards to prevent tools and materials from falling off the edge, further protecting workers below.

While a fall restraint system also aims to prevent falls, it does so using personal protective equipment that keeps workers from reaching edges rather than providing a physical barrier. Catch systems and safety nets are fall arrest systems that come into play after a fall has occurred, catching workers or tools but not preventing the fall itself. Thus, guardrails remain the primary choice for proactively preventing falls from elevated surfaces.