OSHA: Fall Protection In Construction! Trivia Quiz

The three components of a Personal Fall Arrest System are an Anchor/Anchorage Connector, Body Wear (Harness), and Connecting Device (Lanyard or Retractable). These components work together to protect a person from falling while working at heights. The Anchor/Anchorage Connector provides a secure attachment point, the Body Wear (Harness) distributes the force of a fall across the body, and the Connecting Device (Lanyard or Retractable) connects the harness to the anchor point, allowing for movement while still providing fall protection.

According to the Federal OSHA Construction standard, workers are required to wear fall protection at a height of 6 feet. This regulation is in place to ensure the safety of workers and prevent accidents or injuries from falls at elevated heights.

A Fall Arrest Anchor Point must be capable of supporting 5,000 lbs per attached worker. This weight capacity is necessary to ensure the safety of workers who are using the anchor point for fall protection. It allows for a margin of safety in case of unexpected forces or impacts during a fall. A lower weight capacity could potentially result in the anchor point failing and causing harm to the worker. Therefore, it is important to use anchor points that are rated for at least 5,000 lbs to meet safety standards and protect workers from falls.

After a fall has occurred, it is important to not re-use the fall protection equipment and take it out of service. This is because the equipment may have been compromised or damaged during the fall, and re-using it can put the user at risk of further accidents or injuries. It is crucial to prioritize safety and ensure that all equipment is properly inspected, repaired, or replaced before it is used again.

A properly adjusted full body harness should fit snugly to ensure the user's safety and prevent any potential accidents. However, it should also allow for a full range of movement to ensure comfort and flexibility while working. This balance between a snug fit and freedom of movement is crucial in ensuring the harness's effectiveness and the user's comfort and safety.

Arresting Force refers to the force that is exerted on the body when it is stopped from falling. This force is applied to prevent the body from continuing its downward motion and causing injury. It is an essential concept in the context of fall protection, as it helps to understand the amount of force that needs to be absorbed or dissipated in order to safely arrest a fall and protect the individual from harm.

To calculate the necessary fall clearance when using a 6 ft. shock-absorbing lanyard, you need to consider the height of the worker, the length of the lanyard, the shock absorber deceleration/free-fall distance, and add a three (3) ft. safety factor. This calculation is important to ensure that there is enough space for the worker to safely fall without hitting any obstructions or the ground. By including the length of the lanyard and the shock absorber deceleration/free-fall distance, it accounts for the additional distance the worker may fall before the lanyard engages and begins to slow their descent. The three (3) ft. safety factor provides an extra margin of safety.

The use of body belts for fall protection during construction activity was outlawed in 1998 because they have been found to be ineffective in preventing falls and can actually cause more harm. However, the use of a body belt for positioning, where the worker is not at risk of falling, is still acceptable. This is because body belts can provide support and stability to workers who need to work in a specific position for an extended period of time.

To ensure a compatible anchorage connection, it is important to use an anchorage connector such as a cross arm strap, beam anchor, or a shock absorbing lanyard specifically designed for tie-back use. This type of connector is specifically designed to maintain a secure and compatible connection with the anchor point. It provides the necessary strength and stability to ensure the safety of the worker while working at heights. Using multiple lanyards, looping a rope around the anchor point, or relying on the snap hook keeper gate or lock may not provide the same level of security and compatibility as an anchorage connector designed for this purpose.

After a fall, a shock-absorbing lanyard that has been deployed must be taken out of service. This is because the lanyard may have experienced significant stress and force during the fall, which could have caused damage or compromised its effectiveness. Continuing to use a lanyard that has been deployed after a fall could put the user at risk of further accidents or injuries. Therefore, it is important to remove the lanyard from service and replace it with a new one to ensure safety.

The person wearing the Personal Fall Arrest System is responsible for inspecting all components of the system. This is because they are the ones directly using the equipment and relying on it for their safety. Regular inspection ensures that all components are in good working condition and can effectively protect against falls. The person wearing the system should be trained and knowledgeable in identifying any defects or issues that may compromise their safety.

When wearing a full body harness, the fall forces must be limited to a maximum of 1,800 lbs. This is because fall forces can cause serious injury or even death, so it is important to have a harness that can withstand the force of a fall. A harness that can handle a maximum force of 1,800 lbs provides a higher level of safety and protection for the wearer.

The statement is false because lanyards used in a Personal Fall Protection System can be shorter than 6 feet. The length of the lanyard depends on the specific requirements and regulations of the system being used. It is important to choose the appropriate length of the lanyard based on the specific working conditions and fall hazards present.

The correct answer is "A connecting device." A retractable lifeline is a type of connecting device that is used to connect a worker's body harness to an anchor point. It is designed to retract and extend as the worker moves, providing them with freedom of movement while still maintaining a secure connection to the anchor point. The retractable lifeline typically includes a shock-absorbing lanyard, which helps to reduce the impact forces in the event of a fall.

According to ANSI Z359.13, an energy absorber on a 6 ft. lanyard can deploy up to 4 feet (48 inches).