CITB Specialists Working at Height Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, when do the regulations apply?
- Only when working above 2 metres
- Only on construction sites and industrial premises
- Whenever there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury (Correct answer)
- Only when using ladders or scaffolding
Correct answer: Whenever there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to any work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury, regardless of the height involved.
Question 2: What is the correct hierarchy of control measures when planning work at height?
- Use PPE first, then provide training, then conduct a risk assessment
- Avoid work at height; if unavoidable, prevent falls using collective measures; then minimise fall consequences (Correct answer)
- Erect scaffolding, issue harnesses, then brief the team
- Issue a permit to work, install guardrails, then inspect equipment
Correct answer: Avoid work at height; if unavoidable, prevent falls using collective measures; then minimise fall consequences
The hierarchy requires: first avoid work at height where reasonably practicable; then prevent falls using collective measures such as guardrails; finally minimise the distance and consequences of any fall.
Question 3: At what angle should a leaning ladder be set for safe use?
- 45 degrees to the vertical
- 90 degrees to the ground (straight up)
- 75 degrees to the ground, using the 1-in-4 rule (Correct answer)
- 60 degrees to the ground
Correct answer: 75 degrees to the ground, using the 1-in-4 rule
Ladders must be set at approximately 75 degrees, which follows the 1-in-4 rule: for every 4 metres of vertical height, the base should be 1 metre out from the wall.
Question 4: When joining two sections of an extension ladder, what is the minimum number of rungs that must overlap?
- 1 rung
- 2 rungs
- 3 rungs (Correct answer)
- 5 rungs
Correct answer: 3 rungs
Extension ladder sections must overlap by at least 3 rungs to provide structural integrity and stability at the joint.
Question 5: Which of the following is a collective fall prevention measure rather than a personal protective measure?
- Safety harness and energy-absorbing lanyard
- Personal fall arrest system attached to an anchor point
- Edge protection comprising guardrails, intermediate rail, and toe boards (Correct answer)
- Inertia reel retractable fall arrester
Correct answer: Edge protection comprising guardrails, intermediate rail, and toe boards
Collective measures such as guardrails, intermediate rails, and toe boards protect all workers in the area without relying on individual equipment being worn or used correctly.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of toe boards fitted at the edges of working platforms?
- To prevent workers from slipping off the platform surface
- To stop tools, materials, and debris from falling and striking people below (Correct answer)
- To provide additional structural support to the scaffold
- To prevent water from collecting at the platform edge
Correct answer: To stop tools, materials, and debris from falling and striking people below
Toe boards are installed at the edges of working platforms to stop tools, materials, and other objects from rolling or being kicked off the edge and falling onto people below.
Question 7: Before using a ladder on site, what check must every user carry out?
- A formal written inspection submitted to the site manager
- Load testing to confirm the ladder's weight capacity
- A pre-use visual check to confirm the ladder is in a safe condition (Correct answer)
- A check with the HSE that the ladder is on the approved equipment register
Correct answer: A pre-use visual check to confirm the ladder is in a safe condition
Every user must perform a pre-use visual check before each use to identify any damage, defects, or contamination that could make the ladder unsafe.
CITB Specialists Working at Height Safety 1
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, when do the regulations apply?