NEBOSH CC Working at Height 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum height a ladder should project above the landing point?
- At least 1 metre above the landing point (Correct answer)
- At least 0.5 metres above the landing point
- At least 2 metres above the landing point
- At least 0.75 metres above the landing point
Correct answer: At least 1 metre above the landing point
Ladders should project at least 1 metre above the landing point to provide a handhold when stepping on and off the ladder. This helps prevent overbalancing when transitioning from the ladder to the working platform.
Question 2: At what angle should a leaning ladder be positioned?
- 75 degrees (1 out for every 4 up) (Correct answer)
- 60 degrees (1 out for every 2 up)
- 80 degrees (1 out for every 6 up)
- 45 degrees (1 out for every 1 up)
Correct answer: 75 degrees (1 out for every 4 up)
A leaning ladder should be positioned at 75 degrees, which corresponds to a ratio of 1 unit out for every 4 units up. This angle provides the correct balance between stability and ease of climbing.
Question 3: Under the Work at Height Regulations, when are ladders an appropriate means of access?
- When the risk assessment shows that using more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the short duration of use or existing site features (Correct answer)
- Whenever a worker chooses to use one
- As the primary means of access for any height of work
- Only for access below 2 metres
Correct answer: When the risk assessment shows that using more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the short duration of use or existing site features
Ladders are appropriate when the risk assessment shows that more suitable equipment is not justified — typically for short-duration work where the risk is low. Ladders are access equipment, not a working platform for prolonged tasks.
Question 4: What does PASMA stand for in the context of mobile tower scaffolds?
- Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association (Correct answer)
- Platform Access Safety Management Authority
- Portable Aluminium Scaffold Manufacturers' Association
- Professional Access Safety and Management Association
Correct answer: Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association
PASMA stands for the Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association. PASMA provides training and certification for the erection, use and dismantling of mobile access towers, which is widely recognised across the industry.
Question 5: What is a 'gin wheel' used for in scaffold construction?
- Hoisting materials vertically to the scaffold (Correct answer)
- Measuring the angle of a scaffold pole
- Joining scaffold tubes together
- Tightening scaffold fittings
Correct answer: Hoisting materials vertically to the scaffold
A gin wheel is a simple pulley block used to hoist materials vertically to the scaffold. It is fixed to the scaffold structure and used with a rope to lift boards, fittings and other materials to the working level.
Question 6: What type of roof access equipment distributes the worker's weight and prevents them from sliding on a pitched roof?
- Roof ladder (cat ladder) (Correct answer)
- Extension ladder
- Step ladder
- MEWP
Correct answer: Roof ladder (cat ladder)
A roof ladder (cat ladder) is hooked over the ridge of a pitched roof and distributes the worker's weight over a wider area. It provides footholds and prevents sliding, allowing safe work on sloped roof surfaces.
NEBOSH CC Working at Height 4
What is the maximum height a ladder should project above the landing point?