Site Safe Working at Heights NZ 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NZ guidelines, who is competent to erect scaffolding?
- A person who holds a current Certificate of Competence for scaffolding from MBIE (Correct answer)
- Any worker with more than one year of experience
- The site manager or foreman
- Any worker who has watched scaffolding being erected
Correct answer: A person who holds a current Certificate of Competence for scaffolding from MBIE
In New Zealand, scaffolding over a specified height must be erected by a person holding a current Certificate of Competence (CoC) for the relevant class of scaffolding, issued by MBIE.
Question 2: What must be in place before workers access a scaffold?
- A scaffold tag or inspection record showing it has been inspected and is safe for use (Correct answer)
- A verbal approval from the site manager
- Payment to the scaffolding company
- A weather forecast showing no rain
Correct answer: A scaffold tag or inspection record showing it has been inspected and is safe for use
Before use, a scaffold must be inspected by a competent person and a scaffold tag or inspection record must confirm it is safe and complete. A green tag typically indicates it is safe for use.
Question 3: What does a red scaffold tag mean in NZ?
- The scaffold is incomplete, under construction, or unsafe — do not use (Correct answer)
- The scaffold is safe and ready for use
- The scaffold needs minor repairs but can be used
- The scaffold is reserved for a specific contractor
Correct answer: The scaffold is incomplete, under construction, or unsafe — do not use
A red scaffold tag means the scaffold is incomplete, being modified, or is unsafe. Workers must not use a scaffold with a red tag.
Question 4: What is a 'roof edge protection system'?
- Temporary barriers installed at the edges of a roof to prevent falls during construction or maintenance (Correct answer)
- A layer of waterproof material applied to roof edges
- A system of gutters and downpipes
- A warning paint marking along the roof edge
Correct answer: Temporary barriers installed at the edges of a roof to prevent falls during construction or maintenance
Roof edge protection consists of temporary guardrails, barriers, or similar systems installed at or near roof edges to prevent workers from falling during construction, repair, or maintenance work.
Question 5: When must a harness be used on a NZ construction site?
- When other forms of fall prevention such as guardrails or platforms are not reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- As the first choice for any work at height
- Only when working above 20 metres
- Only when the worker requests one
Correct answer: When other forms of fall prevention such as guardrails or platforms are not reasonably practicable
A harness (fall arrest) should only be used when higher-order controls like guardrails, platforms, or scaffolding are not reasonably practicable. It is lower in the hierarchy of controls.
Question 6: What is a 'guardrail' and what are its key components under NZ Standards?
- A barrier at an edge consisting of a top rail at 900-1100mm, a mid rail, and a toe board (Correct answer)
- Any rope or tape barrier at an edge
- A single handrail at any convenient height
- A painted line on the floor near an edge
Correct answer: A barrier at an edge consisting of a top rail at 900-1100mm, a mid rail, and a toe board
A guardrail system under NZ Standards consists of a top rail at between 900mm and 1100mm above the platform, a mid rail to prevent people passing through, and a toe board to stop objects falling from the edge.
Site Safe Working at Heights NZ 2
Under NZ guidelines, who is competent to erect scaffolding?