Safe Pass Working at Height Ireland 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is fragile material in the context of working at height?
- Material that would not support the weight of a person and any load, such as roof sheets or skylights (Correct answer)
- Reinforced concrete
- Steel beams
- Solid timber floors
Correct answer: Material that would not support the weight of a person and any load, such as roof sheets or skylights
Fragile materials are surfaces like fibre-cement sheets, skylights, glass panels, or corroded metal that cannot safely support a person's weight.
Question 2: How should work near fragile roof surfaces be carried out?
- Using crawling boards or staging and with guardrails at the edges (Correct answer)
- By walking carefully on the fragile surface
- By running quickly across
- Only during dry weather
Correct answer: Using crawling boards or staging and with guardrails at the edges
Work near fragile surfaces must use crawling boards, staging, or platforms to spread the load, with edge protection and warning signs in place.
Question 3: What is the '3 points of contact' rule when using a ladder?
- Always maintain two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, in contact with the ladder (Correct answer)
- Keep all four limbs on the ladder
- Hold on with both hands only
- Use your knees to grip
Correct answer: Always maintain two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, in contact with the ladder
The 3 points of contact rule means maintaining contact with the ladder with at least two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, at all times when climbing.
Question 4: What should be checked before using a ladder on site?
- That it is undamaged, clean, the correct type and length, and positioned on firm level ground (Correct answer)
- Only that it reaches the required height
- Only the colour of the ladder
- Nothing if it looks okay
Correct answer: That it is undamaged, clean, the correct type and length, and positioned on firm level ground
Before use, ladders should be inspected for damage, checked for cleanliness (no grease/mud on rungs), verified as the correct type and length, and set up on firm, level ground.
Question 5: What Personal Fall Protection System uses a harness to stop a fall?
- A fall arrest system with a harness, lanyard, and anchor point (Correct answer)
- A hard hat
- Safety boots
- High-visibility vest
Correct answer: A fall arrest system with a harness, lanyard, and anchor point
A fall arrest system consists of a full body harness connected via a shock-absorbing lanyard to a suitable anchor point, designed to safely arrest a fall in progress.
Question 6: What is the maximum recommended fall distance for a fall arrest system?
- The system must stop the fall within 2 metres and limit the arresting force to 6 kN (Correct answer)
- There is no limit
- 10 metres
- 50 metres
Correct answer: The system must stop the fall within 2 metres and limit the arresting force to 6 kN
A fall arrest system should be designed so that the total fall distance does not exceed 2 metres (or as specified by the manufacturer) and the maximum arresting force is limited to 6 kN.
Safe Pass Working at Height Ireland 4
What is fragile material in the context of working at height?