CHST Fall Protection and Prevention 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A competent person conducting a job hazard analysis identifies a floor hole 2 inches in diameter. What is the OSHA-required protection for this opening?
- No protection needed for holes under 6 inches
- A cover capable of supporting twice the intended load (Correct answer)
- A warning cone placed nearby
- A guardrail system around the perimeter
Correct answer: A cover capable of supporting twice the intended load
OSHA requires floor hole covers regardless of size, and covers must support twice the maximum intended load of workers and equipment.
Question 2: Under OSHA's fall protection standards for construction, which activity has a fall protection trigger height of 6 feet?
- Bridge inspection
- Precast concrete erection
- Leading edge work (Correct answer)
- Excavation work
Correct answer: Leading edge work
Leading edge work falls under the general construction fall protection trigger of 6 feet per 29 CFR 1926.502.
Question 3: What distinguishes a 'qualified person' from a 'competent person' in the context of OSHA fall protection?
- A qualified person has OSHA 30 certification; a competent person has OSHA 10
- A qualified person has recognized degree or professional knowledge; a competent person can identify hazards and has authority to correct them (Correct answer)
- There is no distinction — the terms are interchangeable under OSHA
- A qualified person must be a licensed engineer; a competent person must be a supervisor
Correct answer: A qualified person has recognized degree or professional knowledge; a competent person can identify hazards and has authority to correct them
OSHA defines a qualified person by specialized knowledge/credentials, while a competent person must be able to identify hazards and have authority to take corrective action.
Question 4: A worker using a body harness notices the back D-ring is located on the small of the back rather than between the shoulder blades. What should the competent person conclude?
- This is acceptable if the worker prefers it for comfort
- The harness is worn incorrectly and must be adjusted before use (Correct answer)
- The D-ring location is acceptable only for positioning systems
- The harness should be replaced with a vest-style harness
Correct answer: The harness is worn incorrectly and must be adjusted before use
The dorsal D-ring of a full-body harness must be positioned between the shoulder blades for proper fall arrest performance; improper placement requires adjustment before use.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly describes the 'controlled access zone' (CAZ) method of fall protection?
- A barricaded area accessible only to workers authorized by a competent person, eliminating the need for other fall protection (Correct answer)
- A zone delineated by safety cones where all workers must wear harnesses
- An OSHA-approved alternative for any construction activity above 6 feet
- A perimeter zone where warning lines replace all other fall protection requirements
Correct answer: A barricaded area accessible only to workers authorized by a competent person, eliminating the need for other fall protection
A CAZ is a work area for leading edge work, precast concrete, or residential construction where access is limited to authorized workers and conventional fall protection may not be required inside the zone.
Question 6: During fall protection training, workers should be taught that the total fall distance in a PFAS includes which components?
- Free fall distance only
- Free fall distance plus deceleration distance only
- Free fall distance plus deceleration distance plus the worker's height plus a safety margin (Correct answer)
- Deceleration distance plus the height of the anchor above grade
Correct answer: Free fall distance plus deceleration distance plus the worker's height plus a safety margin
Total fall distance includes free fall, deceleration distance, and the worker's height (D-ring to feet), plus a safety factor to ensure the worker does not contact a lower level.
Question 7: After a worker's personal fall arrest system has arrested a fall, what is the required action regarding the equipment?
- Inspect and return to service if no visible damage is found
- Remove from service and retire or send to manufacturer for inspection before reuse (Correct answer)
- Clean thoroughly, re-inspect, and allow the worker to decide on continued use
- Tag the equipment and allow use for one additional shift only
Correct answer: Remove from service and retire or send to manufacturer for inspection before reuse
OSHA requires that all components of a PFAS that have been subjected to fall arrest forces be immediately removed from service and not reused unless inspected and deemed serviceable by the manufacturer.
CHST Fall Protection and Prevention 5
A competent person conducting a job hazard analysis identifies a floor hole 2 inches in diameter.
What is the OSHA-required protection for this opening?