Site Safe Working at Heights NZ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the safe angle for setting up a single (leaning) ladder under NZ guidelines?
- A ratio of 4:1 — for every 4 metres of height, the base should be 1 metre from the wall (Correct answer)
- Straight up against the wall at 90 degrees
- Any angle that feels stable
- A 45-degree angle to the ground
Correct answer: A ratio of 4:1 — for every 4 metres of height, the base should be 1 metre from the wall
The correct angle for a single ladder is a 4:1 ratio (approximately 75 degrees), meaning for every 4 metres of height, the base of the ladder should be 1 metre out from the wall.
Question 2: How far should a ladder extend above a landing platform under NZ guidelines?
- At least 1 metre above the landing point (Correct answer)
- Exactly level with the landing point
- At least 2 metres above
- It depends on the worker's height
Correct answer: At least 1 metre above the landing point
A ladder should extend at least 1 metre (approximately 3 rungs) above the landing point to provide a secure handhold when stepping on and off the ladder.
Question 3: What are 'edge protection systems' designed to do?
- Prevent people and objects from falling from open edges or openings (Correct answer)
- Protect the edges of building materials from damage
- Mark the boundaries of a construction site
- Prevent unauthorised access to a building
Correct answer: Prevent people and objects from falling from open edges or openings
Edge protection systems are designed to prevent people from falling from open edges or through openings, and to prevent objects from falling and striking people below.
Question 4: What is a 'safety net' used for in NZ construction?
- To arrest a fall and catch a person who has fallen from a height, used as a collective fall arrest system (Correct answer)
- To catch falling tools only
- To provide shade for workers below
- To filter debris from wind
Correct answer: To arrest a fall and catch a person who has fallen from a height, used as a collective fall arrest system
Safety nets are collective fall arrest systems installed below the work area to catch any person who falls. They provide protection for all workers in the area without individual equipment.
Question 5: What training is required before a worker uses a fall arrest harness in NZ?
- Training in correct fitting, use, inspection, and limitations of the harness and associated equipment (Correct answer)
- No specific training is required
- Only a brief verbal instruction from a supervisor
- Training is only required for workers under 18
Correct answer: Training in correct fitting, use, inspection, and limitations of the harness and associated equipment
Workers must be trained in how to correctly fit and adjust the harness, how to use it with associated equipment, how to inspect it before use, its limitations, and what to do if a fall occurs.
Question 6: What is 'total fall distance' and why is it critical?
- The total distance from the work position to the lowest point the person could reach after a fall, including lanyard extension and body length (Correct answer)
- The height of the building
- The distance from the worker to the nearest anchor point
- The length of the safety lanyard only
Correct answer: The total distance from the work position to the lowest point the person could reach after a fall, including lanyard extension and body length
Total fall distance includes free fall distance, lanyard extension (energy absorber deployment), harness stretch, and the worker's height below the D-ring. It must be less than the clearance distance to the ground or obstruction below.
Site Safe Working at Heights NZ 3
What is the safe angle for setting up a single (leaning) ladder under NZ guidelines?