Work at Height Safety Flashcards
6 cards from real ECS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Work at Height Safety flashcards as text
According to the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the first and most important control measure to consider before starting any task that might involve working at height?
Answer: Avoiding the need to work at height altogether by, for example, assembling components at ground level.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 establish a hierarchy of controls. The primary and most effective measure is to eliminate the risk by avoiding work at height wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so.
An electrician is tasked with installing a new lighting fixture on a high ceiling inside a commercial building with a flat, level floor. Which type of access equipment would generally be considered the safest and most appropriate choice for this scenario?
Answer: A scissor lift (a type of Mobile Elevating Work Platform - MEWP).
A scissor lift (Group A MEWP) provides a stable, secure working platform with guardrails, which is much safer than a ladder for tasks of this nature. It allows the electrician to have tools and materials on the platform and work with both hands free, significantly reducing the risk of a fall.
Which of the following is a critical safety requirement when using a leaning ladder for electrical work?
Answer: The user must always maintain three points of contact with the ladder while climbing or descending.
To ensure stability and reduce the risk of slipping and falling, it is a fundamental safety rule to always maintain three points of contact with the ladder (e.g., two feet and one hand, or one foot and two hands). For electrical work, non-conductive ladders (e.g., fibreglass) must be used. The '4-to-1' rule applies to ladder angle, not 5-to-1, and you should never work from the top three rungs.
A personal fall arrest system, including a harness and lanyard, has been issued to a worker. According to UK regulations and best practice, what inspection regime must be followed?
Answer: A pre-use check by the user before each use, and a detailed inspection by a competent person at least every 6-12 months.
Fall arrest equipment requires a two-level inspection process. The user must perform a pre-use check every time before using it to spot obvious defects. Additionally, a competent person must conduct and record a detailed, formal inspection at regular intervals, typically every 6 to 12 months, as specified by regulations and manufacturer guidance.
When planning work at height, the 'hierarchy of control' must be applied. Which of the following correctly orders the measures from most preferable to least preferable?
Answer: 1. Avoid work at height, 2. Use collective protection (e.g., guardrails), 3. Use personal protection (e.g., harness).
The established hierarchy of control for work at height prioritises eliminating the risk first (Avoid). If that's not possible, the next step is to prevent a fall using collective equipment (e.g., scaffolding, guardrails). The final resort is to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall using personal protective equipment (PPE).
An electrician needs to work near exposed overhead power lines. Which type of ladder material is mandatory for this task?
Answer: Fibreglass, because it is non-conductive.
When working in proximity to live electrical conductors, it is essential to use equipment that does not conduct electricity to prevent electrocution. Fibreglass is a non-conductive material and is the required choice for ladders in this situation. Aluminium and steel are highly conductive and extremely dangerous, while wood can become conductive if wet.