Work at Height Safety Interview: 50 Questions and Sample Answers
1. What is work at height?
Answer: Work at height refers to any task performed at a place where a person could fall and injure themselves. It includes work on ladders, scaffolding, rooftops, or any elevated platform.
2. What are the main hazards associated with working at height?
Answer: The main hazards include falls from height, falling objects, unstable working surfaces, weather conditions, and inadequate safety measures.
3. What is the safest method to work at height?
Answer: The safest method is to avoid working at height whenever possible. If unavoidable, use collective protection measures like guardrails, scaffolding, or personal fall protection equipment.
4. What are the legal requirements for working at height?
Answer: Legal requirements vary by country, but common regulations include proper risk assessment, use of appropriate safety equipment, worker training, and compliance with OSHA or local safety standards.
5. What is a fall protection system?
Answer: A fall protection system prevents or minimizes falls when working at height. It includes guardrails, safety nets, fall arrest systems, and work positioning systems.
6. What are the different types of fall protection?
Answer: The types include fall restraint systems, fall arrest systems, safety nets, guardrails, and personal protective equipment (PPE) like harnesses and lanyards.
7. What is the difference between fall arrest and fall restraint?
Answer: Fall restraint prevents a worker from reaching a fall hazard, while fall arrest stops a worker after they have fallen, minimizing injury.
8. What is a work positioning system?
Answer: A work positioning system allows workers to stay in a stable position while working at height using ropes and harnesses.
9. How do you inspect a safety harness?
Answer: Inspect for frayed straps, damaged buckles, missing labels, and signs of wear. Ensure all components function properly before use.
10. What is the importance of anchor points in fall protection?
Answer: Anchor points provide a secure attachment for fall protection systems. They must be strong enough to withstand impact forces during a fall.
11. How do you determine the strength of an anchor point?
Answer: Anchor points should support at least 5,000 lbs (22.2 kN) per person attached or meet OSHA or local standards.
12. What is a lanyard, and how does it work?
Answer: A lanyard is a flexible rope or strap used to connect a worker’s harness to an anchor point. It absorbs shock in case of a fall.
13. What are the types of lanyards used in fall protection?
Answer: The common types include shock-absorbing lanyards, restraint lanyards, twin-leg lanyards, and self-retracting lifelines (SRLs).
14. What is a self-retracting lifeline (SRL)?
Answer: An SRL is a fall arrest device that allows free movement but locks instantly in the event of a fall, minimizing fall distance.
15. What is a safety net, and when is it used?
Answer: A safety net is a collective fall protection system installed below the work area to catch workers in case of a fall.
16. Why is proper training essential for working at height?
Answer: Training ensures workers understand risks, use fall protection correctly, and respond to emergencies, reducing accidents.
17. What is the maximum allowable free fall distance in a fall arrest system?
Answer: OSHA allows a maximum free fall distance of 6 feet (1.8 meters) before the fall arrest system engages.
18. What should be included in a work at height risk assessment?
Answer: Identify hazards, assess risk levels, implement control measures, provide PPE, and plan for emergency response.
19. What is a permit to work (PTW) system for working at height?
Answer: A PTW is a formal document ensuring all safety measures are in place before starting high-risk work.
20. How do weather conditions affect work at height?
Answer: High winds, rain, snow, and extreme temperatures increase risks like slips, falls, and equipment instability.
21. What is scaffolding, and why is it used?
Answer: Scaffolding is a temporary structure providing a stable platform for workers, tools, and materials at height.
22. What are the main safety rules for using scaffolding?
Answer: Ensure proper erection, inspection before use, secure footing, guardrails, and trained personnel.
23. How often should scaffolding be inspected?
Answer: Before initial use, after any modification, and at least daily by a competent person.
24. What is the safest way to use a ladder?
Answer: Use a stable, level surface, maintain three points of contact, and avoid overreaching.
25. What is the 4-to-1 rule for ladder safety?
Answer: For every 4 feet of ladder height, the base should be 1 foot away from the wall.
26. What are common ladder hazards?
Answer: Unstable placement, exceeding weight capacity, missing rungs, and improper use.
27. What should you do if a ladder is defective?
Answer: Tag it as “Do Not Use” and report it for repair or replacement.
28. Why is edge protection important in work at height?
Answer: It prevents workers and tools from falling off edges, reducing accidents.
29. What is tool tethering?
Answer: It secures tools to prevent them from falling and causing injury below.
30. What is the role of a safety observer in working at height?
Answer: A safety observer monitors the work and alerts workers to hazards.
31. What is the difference between personal fall protection and collective protection?
Answer: Collective protection (e.g., guardrails) protects all workers, while personal protection (e.g., harnesses) protects individuals.
32. What should you do in case of a fall?
Answer: Call for emergency help, perform a rescue plan, and provide first aid if necessary.
33. What is suspension trauma?
Answer: A life-threatening condition caused by prolonged hanging in a harness, restricting blood flow.
34. How do you prevent suspension trauma?
Answer: Use trauma straps, reposition legs, and conduct a quick rescue.
35. Why is emergency rescue planning essential?
Answer: A rescue plan ensures workers can be retrieved quickly in case of a fall, preventing injuries.
36. How often should fall protection equipment be inspected?
Answer: Before each use and at least annually by a competent person.
37. What is a harness D-ring, and where is it located?
Answer: A D-ring is a metal ring on a harness used for attachment, usually located on the back (dorsal).
38. What are the different classes of full-body harnesses?
Answer: Classes include Class A (fall arrest), Class P (work positioning), and Class L (ladder climbing).
39. What is rope access, and when is it used?
Answer: A specialized method using ropes for high access, often in maintenance and rescue work.
40. What should be included in a toolbox talk for work at height?
Answer: Discuss hazards, safety procedures, PPE, and emergency response.
41. What is a davit system?
Answer: A davit is a device used for confined space entry and fall protection.
42. What is a bosun’s chair?
Answer: A seat used for suspended work, like window cleaning.
43. What is a guardrail system?
Answer: A barrier preventing falls from edges, often on rooftops and scaffolding.
44. What is a controlled access zone?
Answer: A restricted area where only authorized personnel can enter.
45. How do you prevent slips and trips while working at height?
Answer: Keep surfaces dry, use proper footwear, and remove obstructions.
46. What is the leading cause of falls from height?
Answer: Lack of proper fall protection, training, and unsafe behavior.
47. What is the hierarchy of fall protection?
Answer: Elimination → Prevention → Engineering Controls → Administrative Controls → PPE.
48. What is a horizontal lifeline?
Answer: A flexible anchorage system allowing movement along a surface.
49. Why is documentation important for work at height?
Answer: It ensures compliance, accountability, and safety audits.
50. What is the role of a competent person in work at height?
Answer: A trained individual responsible for safety oversight and inspections.
Work at Height JSA (Job Safety Analysis) | Free Download
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