Site Safe Working at Height — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NZ regulations, at what height does 'working at height' become a notifiable activity requiring notification to WorkSafe?
- 5 metres or more above ground level (Correct answer)
- 2 metres or more above ground level
- 10 metres or more above ground level
- Any height above ground level
Correct answer: 5 metres or more above ground level
Under NZ construction regulations, work at a height of 5 metres or more above ground is classified as notifiable construction work, requiring prior notification to WorkSafe NZ. However, fall protection is required at much lower heights.
Question 2: What is the NZ hierarchy of controls for working at height?
- Eliminate the need to work at height, use passive fall prevention (guardrails), use work positioning systems, use fall arrest systems, use administrative controls (Correct answer)
- Use a safety harness for everything
- Only scaffolding is acceptable for working at height
- There is no specific hierarchy — use whatever is available
Correct answer: Eliminate the need to work at height, use passive fall prevention (guardrails), use work positioning systems, use fall arrest systems, use administrative controls
The NZ hierarchy for working at height is: 1) Eliminate the need to work at height, 2) Use passive fall prevention (guardrails, scaffolding), 3) Use work positioning systems (travel restraint), 4) Use fall arrest systems (harness and lanyard), 5) Administrative controls and PPE as last resort.
Question 3: Under NZ standards, what must be in place before using a scaffold on a construction site?
- The scaffold must be erected by a competent person, tagged as safe to use, inspected before first use, and regularly re-inspected (Correct answer)
- Any worker can set up scaffolding as long as they have a ladder
- Scaffolding does not need to be inspected if it is less than 5 metres high
- A building consent is required for all scaffolding
Correct answer: The scaffold must be erected by a competent person, tagged as safe to use, inspected before first use, and regularly re-inspected
NZ standards require scaffolding to be designed and erected by a competent person (or licensed scaffolder for complex structures), tagged with a scaffold tag showing inspection status, inspected before first use, and regularly re-inspected (at least weekly and after weather events).
Question 4: What does a green scaffold tag mean on a NZ construction site?
- The scaffold has been inspected and is safe for use (Correct answer)
- The scaffold is under construction and must not be used
- The scaffold requires modification before use
- The scaffold is being dismantled
Correct answer: The scaffold has been inspected and is safe for use
In NZ, a green scaffold tag means the scaffold has been inspected by a competent person and is safe for use. A red tag means do not use (under construction, being modified, or failed inspection). Workers must always check the tag before using any scaffold.
Question 5: What are the NZ safety requirements for using ladders on construction sites?
- Ladders should only be used for short-duration access (not as a work platform), must be on stable ground, secured at the top or base, and extend 1 metre above the landing point (Correct answer)
- Ladders can be used as a permanent work platform for any duration
- No specific rules apply to ladder use on construction sites
- Ladders are banned on NZ construction sites
Correct answer: Ladders should only be used for short-duration access (not as a work platform), must be on stable ground, secured at the top or base, and extend 1 metre above the landing point
NZ ladder safety requirements include: use only for short-duration tasks and access (not as primary work platforms), placed on stable, level ground, secured at top or base to prevent movement, extend at least 1 metre above the landing point, and maintain three points of contact while climbing.
Question 6: What is a harness and lanyard system, and when is it used in NZ construction?
- A personal fall arrest system worn by a worker and attached to an anchor point — used when guardrails or scaffolding cannot provide adequate fall protection (Correct answer)
- A tool belt worn around the waist
- A system for carrying materials up ladders
- An emergency descent device for use in fires only
Correct answer: A personal fall arrest system worn by a worker and attached to an anchor point — used when guardrails or scaffolding cannot provide adequate fall protection
A harness and lanyard is a personal fall arrest system that, when connected to a suitable anchor point, stops a worker falling more than a limited distance. In NZ, it is used when other, more preferred controls (guardrails, scaffolding) cannot adequately protect against falls.
Site Safe Working at Height
Under NZ regulations, at what height does 'working at height' become a notifiable activity requiring notification to WorkSafe?