When using an extension ladder, what situation requires fall protection?

Using an extension ladder presents various safety challenges, and it is crucial to know when fall protection is necessary. When leaning beyond the belt while working on an extension ladder, additional fall protection is required due to the increased risk of losing balance and falling. This action can significantly shift your center of gravity, making it more difficult to maintain stability. Fall protection measures, such as using a harness and anchor points, help prevent accidents in these scenarios where the worker's safety is compromised by reaching beyond safe limits.

In contrast, using a ladder for storage does not typically involve any height-related risk requiring fall protection, as this is an inactive state. Climbing without any tools might still pose risks, but it does not inherently require additional fall protection unless specific conditions facilitate a hazardous situation. Lastly, the notion that fall protection is only necessary when reaching above ten feet overlooks the potential risks involved at lower heights, especially when body positioning and the way tasks are performed can lead to falls. Therefore, the most critical situation requiring fall protection when using an extension ladder is indeed when leaning beyond the belt while working.