COSS Walking and Working Surfaces 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a 'safety monitoring system' in fall protection on low-slope roofs?
- To automatically arrest a fall using retractable lifelines
- To have a competent person watch for fall hazards and warn workers approaching unprotected edges (Correct answer)
- To electronically detect when a worker crosses a warning line
- To serve as a backup to a personal fall arrest system
Correct answer: To have a competent person watch for fall hazards and warn workers approaching unprotected edges
A safety monitoring system relies on a designated, competent person to continuously observe workers and warn them when they approach an unprotected edge or violate safety procedures.
Question 2: Under OSHA 1910.28, when are employers required to provide fall protection for workers on a walking-working surface with an unprotected edge?
- At any height above the floor
- When the surface is 4 feet or more above a lower level (Correct answer)
- When the surface is 6 feet or more above a lower level
- When the surface is 10 feet or more above a lower level
Correct answer: When the surface is 4 feet or more above a lower level
OSHA 1910.28(b)(1) requires employers to protect workers from falls when they are on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet or more above a lower level.
Question 3: A portable wood stepladder has a cracked side rail at the top. An employee wants to use it only as a straight ladder by leaning it against a wall. What should the safety officer advise?
- Allow use as a straight ladder since the spreader stress is eliminated
- Permit use only below the cracked section
- Remove the ladder from service immediately regardless of intended use (Correct answer)
- Tag the ladder and re-inspect in 30 days
Correct answer: Remove the ladder from service immediately regardless of intended use
A cracked side rail is a structural defect that makes the ladder unsafe for any use; it must be removed from service immediately.
Question 4: Which type of ladder must NOT be used near electrical equipment or energized conductors?
- Wood ladders only
- Metal (aluminum or steel) ladders (Correct answer)
- Fiberglass ladders only
- All ladders require the same precautions near electricity
Correct answer: Metal (aluminum or steel) ladders
Metal ladders conduct electricity and must never be used near energized electrical equipment; fiberglass or wood ladders are preferred for electrical work.
Question 5: A floor hole cover must be able to support at least how many times the maximum intended load?
- Twice the weight of the heaviest person likely to use it
- Two times the maximum intended load (Correct answer)
- The weight of a 250-lb person at any point
- Four times the live load only
Correct answer: Two times the maximum intended load
OSHA requires floor hole covers to support at least twice the weight of the employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on them.
Question 6: Under the updated OSHA walking-working surfaces standard, personal fall arrest systems must be capable of arresting a fall with a maximum arresting force of no more than:
- 900 lbs
- 1,200 lbs
- 1,800 lbs (Correct answer)
- 2,500 lbs
Correct answer: 1,800 lbs
OSHA 1910.140(c)(3) requires PFAS to limit peak arresting force to no more than 1,800 pounds on the body of an employee.
Question 7: Which OSHA standard specifically addresses scaffolding in general industry and temporary work platforms?
- 29 CFR 1910.27
- 29 CFR 1910.28
- 29 CFR 1926.451 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.29
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926.451
29 CFR 1926.451 is the OSHA standard governing scaffolding in construction, which is commonly referenced for temporary scaffolding platforms; 1910.29 covers fall protection for general industry.
COSS Walking and Working Surfaces 4
What is the primary purpose of a 'safety monitoring system' in fall protection on low-slope roofs?