NSC Fall Protection 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard covers fall protection requirements specifically for the construction industry?
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart R
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M
29 CFR 1926 Subpart M is the OSHA standard that establishes fall protection requirements for construction worksites.
Question 2: What minimum tensile strength must a top rail of a guardrail system be able to withstand per OSHA construction standards?
- 100 lbs in any direction
- 200 lbs outward or downward (Correct answer)
- 350 lbs at any point
- 500 lbs at mid-span
Correct answer: 200 lbs outward or downward
OSHA requires construction guardrail top rails to withstand at least 200 pounds of force applied outward or downward at any point.
Question 3: A swing fall hazard occurs when a worker is anchored to a point that is NOT directly above them. What is the primary danger?
- Increased free-fall distance
- Pendulum-like swing into a structure (Correct answer)
- Reduced deceleration time
- Anchor point overload
Correct answer: Pendulum-like swing into a structure
When the anchorage is not directly overhead, a falling worker swings like a pendulum and can strike walls, columns, or equipment with significant force.
Question 4: Which fall protection method physically prevents a worker from reaching a fall hazard rather than arresting a fall after it begins?
- Personal fall arrest system
- Safety net system
- Fall restraint system (Correct answer)
- Warning line system
Correct answer: Fall restraint system
A fall restraint system limits a worker's movement so they physically cannot reach the unprotected edge, preventing the fall entirely.
Question 5: According to NSC guidelines, what is the leading cause of death in the construction industry?
- Electrocution
- Being struck by objects
- Falls from elevation (Correct answer)
- Caught-in/between incidents
Correct answer: Falls from elevation
Falls from elevation are consistently the number-one cause of construction fatalities, accounting for roughly one-third of all construction deaths annually.
Question 6: What should a worker do immediately after a personal fall arrest system has arrested a fall?
- Inspect the harness and return to work
- Remove the harness and discard it
- Tag all components out-of-service for inspection (Correct answer)
- Report the event only if injured
Correct answer: Tag all components out-of-service for inspection
All PFAS components subjected to a fall arrest must be immediately removed from service, tagged, and inspected or destroyed before any reuse.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a 'hole cover' on a construction site?
- Mark the location of underground utilities
- Prevent workers from falling through floor or roof openings (Correct answer)
- Cover wet concrete during curing
- Protect electrical junction boxes
Correct answer: Prevent workers from falling through floor or roof openings
Hole covers must be secured and capable of supporting twice the maximum intended load to prevent workers from falling through floor, roof, or other openings.
NSC Fall Protection 3
Which OSHA standard covers fall protection requirements specifically for the construction industry?