Working at Height Flashcards

What is a safety net used for on a construction site?

Answer: To catch workers or falling objects if collective edge protection cannot be provided

Safety nets are a form of collective fall protection installed below a work area to arrest falling workers or catch falling objects when guardrails or other edge protection cannot be used.

What should be done with a ladder that has a cracked stile or missing rung?

Answer: Take it out of service immediately, tag it as defective, and report it for disposal or repair

A defective ladder must be removed from service immediately and tagged to prevent accidental use. It should be reported and either repaired by a competent person or destroyed to prevent further use.

What is the primary danger of working on a fragile roof on a construction site?

Answer: The roof surface may give way unexpectedly causing the worker to fall through

Fragile roofs such as asbestos cement, fibreglass, and corroded metal can give way without warning. Workers must use crawling boards, roof ladders, and edge protection, and never walk directly on the surface.

What is a rescue plan in the context of working at height?

Answer: A pre-planned procedure to quickly rescue a worker who has fallen and is suspended in a harness

A rescue plan must be in place whenever workers use harnesses. Suspension trauma can develop within minutes of a fall, making rapid rescue critical. The plan must be practical and tested before work begins.

What does the term 'edge protection' refer to on a construction site?

Answer: Barriers such as guardrails, toe boards, and barriers placed at the edge of elevated work areas to prevent falls

Edge protection prevents workers, tools, and materials from falling off elevated areas. It includes guardrails (at least 950 mm high), mid-rails, and toe boards as a complete system.

Which type of work at height requires a written method statement and risk assessment in Ireland?

Answer: Any significant work at height, particularly complex scaffolding, roof work, and MEWP operations

Significant working at height operations require a written risk assessment and method statement (RAMS). These must be prepared before work begins and communicated to all workers involved.