NSC Fall Protection 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum gap allowed between a safety net and the work surface it protects below according to OSHA?
- 10 feet
- 20 feet
- 30 feet (Correct answer)
- No specific limit
Correct answer: 30 feet
OSHA requires safety nets to be installed as close as practicable below the work surface and no more than 30 feet below it.
Question 2: A horizontal lifeline system must be designed by a qualified person and should have a safety factor of at least:
- 1.5
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- 5
Correct answer: 2
OSHA requires horizontal lifeline systems to be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person with a minimum safety factor of 2.
Question 3: Which leading edge work scenario triggers OSHA's requirement for fall protection in construction at 6 feet?
- Working on a fixed scaffold
- Working near an unprotected leading edge where the surface is being constructed (Correct answer)
- Operating a forklift near an open dock
- Working on a ladder above 6 feet
Correct answer: Working near an unprotected leading edge where the surface is being constructed
Leading edge work involves advancing the working surface (e.g., decking installation), and OSHA requires fall protection when that edge is 6 feet or more above a lower level.
Question 4: Per NSC recommendations, what is the first step in a fall protection hierarchy before selecting equipment?
- Select appropriate PPE
- Eliminate the fall hazard entirely (Correct answer)
- Install guardrails
- Write a rescue plan
Correct answer: Eliminate the fall hazard entirely
The hierarchy of controls places hazard elimination first — redesigning tasks or structures so the fall hazard no longer exists — before any protective measures.
Question 5: Which type of anchorage must be used when a single worker is attached and requires the anchorage to support fall arrest forces?
- Any structural beam rated 1,000 lbs
- An anchorage capable of supporting 5,000 lbs per attached worker (Correct answer)
- Any fixed point approved by a supervisor
- A beam clamp attached to a 2-inch steel pipe
Correct answer: An anchorage capable of supporting 5,000 lbs per attached worker
OSHA requires fall arrest anchorages to support at least 5,000 pounds per worker attached, or be designed with a safety factor of 2 by a qualified engineer.
Question 6: What information must be documented in a fall protection plan for steel erection work?
- Cost estimates for fall protection equipment
- Identification of fall hazards, selected methods, and rescue procedures (Correct answer)
- Worker performance reviews
- Union labor agreements
Correct answer: Identification of fall hazards, selected methods, and rescue procedures
A fall protection plan must identify each fall hazard, specify the fall protection method selected, and include procedures for prompt rescue of fallen workers.
Question 7: What is 'controlled access zone' (CAZ) fall protection, and who may enter it?
- A fully barricaded area open to all workers
- A designated area where only authorized workers doing leading edge or overhand bricklaying work may enter without PFAS (Correct answer)
- A zone requiring double lanyards at all times
- An emergency evacuation corridor near roof edges
Correct answer: A designated area where only authorized workers doing leading edge or overhand bricklaying work may enter without PFAS
A CAZ is a work area bounded by control lines allowing only specifically authorized workers to perform certain tasks (e.g., leading edge work) without conventional fall protection in limited circumstances.
NSC Fall Protection 5
What is the maximum gap allowed between a safety net and the work surface it protects below according to OSHA?