When is fall protection not required for portable ladders?

Fall protection is not required for portable ladders specifically when they are used for light work for short periods. This exemption recognizes that brief tasks performed at low heights may not pose significant fall risks that would necessitate the additional precautions typically required for more extensive work or situations involving heavier loads.

For light work, the likelihood of a fall can be minimal, thus allowing for flexibility in safety requirements. This does not imply that safety should be disregarded but acknowledges that, under certain controlled conditions, the risks are mitigated.

In contrast, using ladders for heavy loads or in situations that might result in instability significantly increases the risk of falls, making fall protection mandatory. Fully extended ladders also require strict adherence to safety protocols due to their height and increased potential for falls. Lastly, positioning on unstable ground would render a ladder hazardous irrespective of the work duration, therefore demanding protective measures to ensure worker safety.