Site Safe Working at Height 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is an edge protection system and when is it required on a NZ construction site?
- Guardrails, toe boards, and mid-rails installed at any open edge where there is a risk of falling — required wherever practicable (Correct answer)
- A warning sign placed near the edge
- A line painted on the ground near the edge
- Edge protection is only required on roofs, not floors
Correct answer: Guardrails, toe boards, and mid-rails installed at any open edge where there is a risk of falling — required wherever practicable
Edge protection in NZ construction consists of guardrails (minimum 900mm high), mid-rails, and toe boards installed at any open edge where there is a risk of a person falling. It is the preferred passive fall prevention method and must be used wherever reasonably practicable.
Question 2: Under NZ standards, what is the minimum anchor point strength for a personal fall arrest system?
- The anchor must withstand a force of at least 15 kN (kilonewtons) for each person attached, or be certified by a competent person (Correct answer)
- Any solid object is an acceptable anchor point
- The anchor must support twice the worker's body weight
- There is no minimum strength requirement in NZ
Correct answer: The anchor must withstand a force of at least 15 kN (kilonewtons) for each person attached, or be certified by a competent person
NZ standards require personal fall arrest anchor points to withstand a minimum load of 15 kN per person attached, or be designed and certified by a competent engineer. Using inadequate anchor points is a common cause of fall arrest system failure.
Question 3: What is a 'fall zone' calculation and why is it important in NZ construction?
- The total distance a worker could fall before the fall arrest system stops them — including free fall, lanyard extension, harness stretch, and body height below the anchor (Correct answer)
- The area on the ground where falling debris might land
- The distance between the edge and the nearest first aid station
- A calculation of how many workers can safely work at height simultaneously
Correct answer: The total distance a worker could fall before the fall arrest system stops them — including free fall, lanyard extension, harness stretch, and body height below the anchor
The fall zone (or fall clearance) calculation determines the total distance needed below the anchor point to safely arrest a fall. It includes: free fall distance, shock absorber extension, harness stretch, and the worker's height below the attachment point. Insufficient clearance means hitting the ground before the fall is arrested.
Question 4: What is the NZ requirement for roof work safety?
- Edge protection or fall arrest systems must be in place, fragile roof materials must be identified and protected against, and access and rescue plans must be established (Correct answer)
- No special requirements if the roof pitch is less than 25 degrees
- Only a safety harness is needed for all roof work
- Roof work safety is only required for buildings over two storeys
Correct answer: Edge protection or fall arrest systems must be in place, fragile roof materials must be identified and protected against, and access and rescue plans must be established
NZ roof work requires: edge protection or fall arrest systems at roof edges, identification and protection against fragile roof materials (skylights, aging iron), safe access and egress, a rescue plan if fall arrest is used, and weather monitoring (wet, icy, or windy conditions increase risk).
Question 5: In NZ, what must be included in a rescue plan when fall arrest systems are being used?
- How to rescue a fallen worker quickly (within 20 minutes to prevent suspension trauma), equipment needed, trained rescue personnel, and communication procedures (Correct answer)
- A rescue plan is optional — call 111 if someone falls
- Only a list of emergency phone numbers
- The plan is only needed if the site is more than 30 minutes from a hospital
Correct answer: How to rescue a fallen worker quickly (within 20 minutes to prevent suspension trauma), equipment needed, trained rescue personnel, and communication procedures
A NZ rescue plan for fall arrest must include: how to reach and lower a suspended worker promptly (suspension trauma can be fatal within 20-30 minutes), rescue equipment and its location, trained rescue personnel available on site, communication procedures, and first aid for suspension trauma.
Question 6: What is suspension trauma (harness hang syndrome) and why is it relevant to NZ construction safety?
- A potentially fatal condition where blood pools in the legs of a person suspended motionless in a harness, which can cause death within 20-30 minutes (Correct answer)
- Muscle soreness from wearing a harness all day
- Fear of heights experienced by construction workers
- Damage to a harness caused by UV exposure
Correct answer: A potentially fatal condition where blood pools in the legs of a person suspended motionless in a harness, which can cause death within 20-30 minutes
Suspension trauma occurs when a person hangs motionless in a fall arrest harness. Blood pools in the legs due to the harness compressing leg veins, reducing blood return to the heart. Without rescue within 20-30 minutes, it can be fatal. This is why prompt rescue plans are mandatory in NZ.
Site Safe Working at Height 2
What is an edge protection system and when is it required on a NZ construction site?