ALC Fall Protection & Personal Protective Equipment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which class of hard hat provides protection against electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts and is recommended for aerial lift operators working near overhead power lines?
- Class A
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class C
- Class G
Correct answer: Class B
Class B hard hats are rated to protect against electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts (phase-to-ground) and are appropriate for work near energized lines.
Question 2: How frequently must fall protection equipment be formally inspected by a competent person, in addition to the operator's pre-use check?
- Daily
- Weekly
- At least annually (Correct answer)
- Every 5 years
Correct answer: At least annually
ANSI Z359.2 and OSHA guidance require a competent person to conduct a formal inspection of all fall protection equipment at least once a year.
Question 3: An operator discovers a hairline crack in the shell of their hard hat during a pre-use inspection. What is the correct action?
- Continue using it if the crack is less than 1 inch
- Cover the crack with tape and return to service
- Remove it from service immediately and replace it (Correct answer)
- Notify the supervisor and continue working until a replacement arrives
Correct answer: Remove it from service immediately and replace it
Any crack, dent, or penetration in a hard hat shell compromises its structural integrity and requires immediate removal from service.
Question 4: When working in aerial lifts near energized electrical components, which type of gloves should an operator select?
- Standard leather work gloves
- Rubber insulating gloves rated for the voltage level present (Correct answer)
- Cotton-lined general-purpose gloves
- Cut-resistant gloves rated ANSI Level A4
Correct answer: Rubber insulating gloves rated for the voltage level present
Rubber insulating gloves (dielectric gloves) rated to the voltage level present are required for protection against electrical shock when working near energized parts.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a shock-absorbing (deceleration) lanyard?
- To increase the total arrest distance so the worker reaches a safer stopping point
- To reduce the peak arrest force transmitted to the worker's body during a fall (Correct answer)
- To allow greater freedom of movement on the work platform
- To extend the working range of the operator
Correct answer: To reduce the peak arrest force transmitted to the worker's body during a fall
A shock-absorbing lanyard deploys a tear-away deceleration pack that reduces the peak arrest force on the worker's body to 1,800 lbs or less.
Question 6: Under which of the following conditions MUST fall protection equipment be immediately removed from service?
- After 12 months of use regardless of condition
- After it has been subjected to a fall arrest event (Correct answer)
- When the equipment is more than 5 years old
- When the harness webbing changes color from UV exposure
Correct answer: After it has been subjected to a fall arrest event
Any component of a personal fall arrest system that has arrested an actual fall must be immediately removed from service because internal damage may not be visible.
Question 7: What is the minimum clearance below a worker required by OSHA for a personal fall arrest system to ensure the worker does not contact a lower level?
- 6 feet
- At least enough to account for free fall (6 ft) + deceleration distance (3.5 ft) + worker height + safety margin (Correct answer)
- 10 feet flat
- 20 feet to be safe
Correct answer: At least enough to account for free fall (6 ft) + deceleration distance (3.5 ft) + worker height + safety margin
Total fall clearance must account for free-fall distance, deceleration distance, worker height, and an additional safety margin, which often totals 18.5 feet or more.
ALC Fall Protection & Personal Protective Equipment 2
Which class of hard hat provides protection against electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts and is recommended for aerial lift operators working near overhead power lines?