NWSA Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE before climbing a tower?
- Gloves → Hard hat → Safety glasses → Harness
- Hard hat → Safety glasses → Harness → Gloves (Correct answer)
- Harness → Hard hat → Safety glasses → Gloves
- Safety glasses → Hard hat → Gloves → Harness
Correct answer: Hard hat → Safety glasses → Harness → Gloves
The correct sequence is hard hat first (head protection), then safety glasses, then harness (so harness straps don't interfere with already-worn PPE), then gloves last to maintain dexterity during donning.
Question 2: At what interval should a full-body harness used in tower climbing be formally inspected by a competent person?
- Every 6 months
- Before each use and annually by a competent person (Correct answer)
- Only when visible damage is noticed
- Every 2 years
Correct answer: Before each use and annually by a competent person
Per ANSI/ASSE Z359.2, full-body harnesses must be inspected before each use by the wearer and at least annually by a competent person to check for wear, damage, and hardware integrity.
Question 3: A high-visibility vest worn on a tower work site near roadways must comply with which ANSI/ISEA standard?
- ANSI/ISEA 107 (Correct answer)
- ANSI/ISEA Z87.1
- ANSI/ISEA Z89.1
- ANSI/ISEA 125
Correct answer: ANSI/ISEA 107
ANSI/ISEA 107 is the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories, which defines performance classes for vests and other high-visibility garments.
Question 4: Which respiratory protection device is appropriate for tower workers encountering nuisance dust during antenna installation in a confined space?
- N95 filtering facepiece respirator (Correct answer)
- Surgical mask
- Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)
- Supplied-air respirator (SAR)
Correct answer: N95 filtering facepiece respirator
An N95 filtering facepiece respirator filters at least 95% of airborne particles and is NIOSH-approved for nuisance dust, making it appropriate and practical for short-duration dust exposure.
Question 5: When selecting footwear for tower climbing, which feature is most critical for preventing slips on metal rungs and platforms?
- Steel toe cap
- Metatarsal guard
- Non-conductive electrical hazard rating
- Oil-resistant, non-slip outsole with ankle support (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Oil-resistant, non-slip outsole with ankle support
An oil-resistant, non-slip outsole combined with ankle support is most critical for traction on wet or greasy metal tower rungs and platforms, reducing slip-and-fall risk during climbs.
Question 6: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132, who is responsible for providing and paying for required PPE on a general industry worksite?
- The employee
- The employer (Correct answer)
- The equipment manufacturer
- The site owner
Correct answer: The employer
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(h) requires the employer to provide and pay for PPE required by OSHA standards, except for non-specialty safety toe footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear.
Question 7: What does the designation 'Type II' indicate on a hard hat classification?
- Protection only from top impact
- Protection from both top and lateral (side) impacts (Correct answer)
- Electrical insulation rating
- High-temperature resistance
Correct answer: Protection from both top and lateral (side) impacts
Type II hard hats provide protection against impacts to the top of the head as well as off-center and lateral impacts, offering greater all-around protection than Type I hats.
NWSA Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2
What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE before climbing a tower?