Working at Height Safety Flashcards
6 cards from real CITB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Working at Height Safety flashcards as text
Who is permitted to erect, alter, or dismantle a scaffold on a construction site?
Answer: Only a competent person who has received appropriate training
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, scaffolding must only be erected, altered, or dismantled by competent persons who have received adequate training, such as a CISRS card holder. Using untrained persons creates serious fall risks.
What is the maximum height at which a stepladder should normally be used for work?
Answer: Where you can maintain three points of contact and the task is short duration
Stepladders should only be used for short-duration, light work where you can maintain three points of contact. They are not suitable for heavy or prolonged tasks. HSE guidance states they should be a last resort when other safer equipment is not practicable.
What should be fitted to the base of a ladder to prevent it slipping on a hard surface?
Answer: Anti-slip rubber feet or a proprietary ladder mat
Ladders used on hard, smooth surfaces should have anti-slip rubber feet in good condition or be placed on a proprietary ladder stability device. Improvised methods such as rags or loose blocks are unreliable and unsafe.
When using a harness and lanyard for fall arrest, what is the maximum free-fall distance permitted?
Answer: 2 metres
The maximum permissible free-fall distance when using a fall-arrest harness and lanyard is 2 metres under UK regulations. This limits the impact forces on the body. Lanyards must be short enough, or incorporate a shock absorber, to achieve this.
What is the minimum width for a scaffold working platform?
Answer: 600mm
The minimum width for a scaffold working platform is 600mm (3 boards wide). However, for general construction work, platforms are typically wider to allow safe movement and storage of materials. The exact requirement depends on the intended use.
What does a 'rescue plan' require when working at height with harnesses?
Answer: A pre-arranged method to rescue a suspended worker promptly to avoid suspension trauma
When fall-arrest harnesses are used, a rescue plan must be in place before work begins. If a worker falls and is left suspended in a harness, suspension trauma (orthostatic intolerance) can develop within minutes and can be fatal. Prompt rescue is essential.