NWSA Fall Protection and Rescue 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum free-fall distance allowed by OSHA when using a personal fall arrest system?
- 12 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 10 feet
- 4 feet
Correct answer: 6 feet
OSHA 1926.502(d)(16) limits free-fall distance to 6 feet when using a personal fall arrest system.
OSHA standard 1926.502(d)(16) requires personal fall arrest systems to be rigged so a worker cannot free-fall more than 6 feet. This limit is based on biomechanical research showing deceleration forces increase dramatically with fall distance.
Question 2: During a tower rescue, what is the first action the rescue team should take upon reaching the injured worker?
- Begin lowering the worker immediately
- Assess the worker's condition and secure them to prevent further fall (Correct answer)
- Remove the worker's harness
- Administer CPR
Correct answer: Assess the worker's condition and secure them to prevent further fall
Assessment and securing the worker prevents additional injuries and determines the appropriate rescue technique.
The first priority upon reaching an incapacitated worker on a tower is to assess their condition and ensure they are securely attached to the structure. This assessment determines the rescue method. If suspended for extended time, suspension trauma must be considered.
Question 3: What is suspension trauma and why is it a critical concern during tower rescue?
- It is fear of heights that prevents climbing
- It is a life-threatening condition caused by prolonged motionless suspension in a harness that restricts blood flow (Correct answer)
- It is damage to the harness from extended use
- It is psychological trauma of witnessing a fall
Correct answer: It is a life-threatening condition caused by prolonged motionless suspension in a harness that restricts blood flow
Suspension trauma occurs when harness leg straps compress veins, pooling blood in the legs. Without intervention, death can occur within 15-30 minutes.
Suspension trauma develops when a person is suspended motionless in a fall arrest harness. The leg straps compress femoral veins, restricting blood return to the heart. Symptoms progress from tingling to unconsciousness and potentially death within 15-30 minutes.
Question 4: How often must personal fall arrest equipment be inspected according to NWSA and OSHA requirements?
- Only when it appears damaged
- Before each use by the worker and annually by a competent person (Correct answer)
- Once every five years by the manufacturer
- Monthly by the site supervisor
Correct answer: Before each use by the worker and annually by a competent person
Pre-use inspection by the worker catches daily wear and damage, while annual competent person inspection provides thorough examination.
Fall protection equipment requires a two-tier inspection system. The worker performs a pre-use inspection before every use, and a competent person performs a detailed formal inspection at least annually. Equipment involved in a fall arrest must be immediately removed from service.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a rescue pre-plan at a tower work site?
- To satisfy insurance requirements only
- To establish step-by-step procedures for rescuing a worker before an emergency occurs (Correct answer)
- To list the tower owner's contact information
- To document the cost of rescue equipment
Correct answer: To establish step-by-step procedures for rescuing a worker before an emergency occurs
A rescue pre-plan ensures all crew members know their roles, equipment locations, and procedures before an emergency.
OSHA 1926.502(d)(20) requires employers to provide for prompt rescue. A rescue pre-plan addresses tower type and height, rescue equipment available, designated rescue team members, communication procedures, and hospital location.
Question 6: When using a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) on a tower, where should the anchor point be located relative to the worker?
- At foot level
- At or above the dorsal D-ring attachment point (Correct answer)
- At waist level
- Below the worker's knees
Correct answer: At or above the dorsal D-ring attachment point
Anchoring at or above the D-ring minimizes free-fall distance and swing hazard, keeping total fall arrest forces within safe limits.
Self-retracting lifelines should be anchored at or above the dorsal D-ring connection point. Anchoring below the D-ring increases free-fall distance and may exceed the 6-foot limit. Lower anchor points also increase swing fall hazards.
NWSA Fall Protection and Rescue 2
What is the maximum free-fall distance allowed by OSHA when using a personal fall arrest system?