NSC Fall Protection 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum D-ring breaking strength required for a full-body harness used in a personal fall arrest system?
- 2,500 lbs
- 3,600 lbs
- 5,000 lbs (Correct answer)
- 7,500 lbs
Correct answer: 5,000 lbs
OSHA requires all PFAS hardware, including D-rings, to have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.
Question 2: Which roofing work scenario requires fall protection under OSHA's low-slope roof rules when the roof is less than 4:12 pitch?
- Work within 6 feet of the edge
- Work within 15 feet of the edge
- Any work anywhere on the roof (Correct answer)
- Work only at the roof perimeter
Correct answer: Any work anywhere on the roof
On low-slope roofs, OSHA requires fall protection (guardrails, safety nets, or PFAS) for any work anywhere on the roof surface, not just near edges.
Question 3: A self-retracting lifeline (SRL) differs from a standard lanyard primarily because it:
- Has a longer maximum length of 12 feet
- Automatically takes up slack and limits free fall (Correct answer)
- Requires no anchorage when attached to the harness
- Is only approved for horizontal lifeline use
Correct answer: Automatically takes up slack and limits free fall
An SRL continuously retracts to remove slack and, upon sensing a sudden increase in speed, locks and limits free fall to inches rather than feet.
Question 4: Under OSHA construction standards, what is the maximum height of the toe board required at open-sided floors and platforms?
- 2 inches
- 3.5 inches
- 4 inches (Correct answer)
- 6 inches
Correct answer: 4 inches
OSHA requires toe boards to be at least 3.5 inches tall, but the standard commonly referenced minimum is 4 inches to prevent tools and materials from rolling off edges.
Question 5: Which condition would make a portable ladder unsafe for use according to OSHA and NSC guidelines?
- Side rails extend 3 feet above the landing
- Ladder is set at a 75-degree angle
- Rungs or steps are missing or cracked (Correct answer)
- Ladder length is rated for 300-lb capacity
Correct answer: Rungs or steps are missing or cracked
Missing, cracked, or otherwise damaged rungs or steps create immediate fall hazards and disqualify a ladder from service until repaired or replaced.
Question 6: What does the acronym 'ABC' stand for in the context of fall protection planning?
- Anchorage, Body wear, Connector (Correct answer)
- Always Be Careful
- Arrest, Brake, Control
- Anchor Bolt Certification
Correct answer: Anchorage, Body wear, Connector
The ABC hierarchy of a personal fall arrest system refers to Anchorage, Body wear (harness), and Connector (lanyard or SRL) — the three essential components.
Question 7: When working from an aerial lift, workers must:
- Use a positioning lanyard clipped to the boom
- Stand on the guardrail to extend reach
- Wear a full-body harness attached to the manufacturer's anchor point (Correct answer)
- Clip their lanyard to a nearby structure for added security
Correct answer: Wear a full-body harness attached to the manufacturer's anchor point
Workers in aerial lifts must wear a full-body harness connected to the manufacturer-designated anchorage point inside the bucket or basket.
NSC Fall Protection 4
What is the minimum D-ring breaking strength required for a full-body harness used in a personal fall arrest system?