What safety installation is required when there is a risk of falling, regardless of the scaffold height?

Edge protection is essential when there's a risk of falling from any height during scaffolding operations. It serves as a safety barrier that helps prevent workers from accidentally slipping or falling off the scaffold's edge. This is crucial not only for higher scaffolding but also for lower setups, as even a fall from a modest height can lead to serious injuries.

In scaffolding practices, edge protection can include various forms such as guardrails, toe boards, or other types of barriers designed to provide a secure boundary around the working area. This safety measure promotes a safer working environment by ensuring that workers remain within the confines of a secure platform.

Other options like signage are important for awareness and guidance, scaffold planks are essential for providing a stable walking surface but do not directly prevent falls, and shade covers are primarily for protection against environmental conditions rather than fall prevention. Therefore, edge protection remains the crucial safety installation specifically required to mitigate risks associated with falling.