Working at Heights Travel Restraint Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which part of the AS/NZS 1891 series covers the selection, use, and maintenance of industrial fall-arrest and travel restraint systems?
- AS/NZS 1891.1
- AS/NZS 1891.2
- AS/NZS 1891.3
- AS/NZS 1891.4 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: AS/NZS 1891.4
AS/NZS 1891.4 is the standard for selection, use, and maintenance of industrial fall-arrest systems and devices, which includes travel restraint equipment.
Question 2: How frequently must a travel restraint lanyard be inspected according to AS/NZS 1891.4?
- Weekly by a competent person on site
- Monthly by the equipment manufacturer
- Before each use by the worker, and periodically by a competent person (Correct answer)
- Annually by a certified height safety inspector
Correct answer: Before each use by the worker, and periodically by a competent person
AS/NZS 1891.4 requires fall protection equipment to be inspected by the user before each use, with periodic detailed inspections carried out by a competent person.
Question 3: What must happen immediately if a travel restraint lanyard shows signs of cuts, fraying, or chemical contamination?
- It may still be used for travel restraint since it does not arrest falls
- It must be tagged, removed from service, and assessed by a competent person before any further use (Correct answer)
- It should be reported and replaced at the next scheduled maintenance cycle
- It may remain in use if a supervisor inspects and approves it verbally
Correct answer: It must be tagged, removed from service, and assessed by a competent person before any further use
Damaged fall protection equipment must be immediately removed from service and must not be used again until assessed by a competent person or destroyed.
Question 4: Why is the location of the anchor point critical when designing a travel restraint system?
- It determines the colour-coding classification of the system
- It must be directly below the worker to prevent an upward pull on the harness
- Its position combined with the lanyard length defines the worker's maximum reach toward the fall edge (Correct answer)
- It must be located at ground level to allow easy lanyard adjustment
Correct answer: Its position combined with the lanyard length defines the worker's maximum reach toward the fall edge
The anchor point location and lanyard length together determine the radius within which the worker can move, and therefore whether they can physically reach the fall hazard.
Question 5: When used in a travel restraint system, which type of lanyard is most appropriate?
- An energy-absorbing lanyard to limit peak forces if the restraint is loaded
- A fixed-length non-energy-absorbing lanyard, as no fall arrest forces should be generated (Correct answer)
- A rope-grab lanyard for continuous length adjustment during work
- A retractable self-retracting lanyard for maximum freedom of movement
Correct answer: A fixed-length non-energy-absorbing lanyard, as no fall arrest forces should be generated
Since a correctly used travel restraint system prevents falls entirely, energy-absorbing lanyards are unnecessary, and a plain fixed-length lanyard avoids the extra deployed length of an energy absorber.
Question 6: Under the Work Health and Safety Regulations, what mandatory document must be prepared before commencing high-risk construction work involving working at heights above 2 metres?
- A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) submitted to the regulator
- A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) (Correct answer)
- A certificate of currency for public liability insurance
- A manufacturer's declaration of conformity for all equipment
Correct answer: A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
The WHS Regulations require a SWMS to be prepared before any high-risk construction work, including work at heights above 2 metres, is performed.
Question 7: How does working on a sloped roof surface affect lanyard length calculations in a travel restraint system?
- Slope has no effect; calculations are based solely on vertical height
- A steeper slope generally requires a shorter lanyard as the worker can reach the edge more quickly (Correct answer)
- A steeper slope always permits a longer lanyard because the anchor is positioned higher
- Lanyard length is only affected by the anchor height above ground level
Correct answer: A steeper slope generally requires a shorter lanyard as the worker can reach the edge more quickly
On a sloped surface, the geometry means a worker can reach the fall edge sooner for a given lanyard length, so calculations must account for slope angle to ensure the worker cannot access the edge.
Working at Heights Travel Restraint Systems 2
Which part of the AS/NZS 1891 series covers the selection, use, and maintenance of industrial fall-arrest and travel restraint systems?