Working at Height Safety Interview Questions and Answers
Working at height is one of the highest-risk activities in construction, maintenance, utilities, and manufacturing. Falls remain a leading cause of workplace fatalities worldwide. Safety officers and HSE professionals must be able to demonstrate their knowledge of legal requirements, risk assessments, control measures, and emergency response.
This guide covers 50 Working at Height Safety Interview Questions and Answers, divided into short answer, long answer, and scenario-based questions to help you succeed in your interview.
πΉ Section 1: Short Answer Questions (15 Examples)
Q1. What is considered βworking at heightβ?
Any place where a person could fall and injure themselves, usually above 2 m (6 ft) or where falling through an opening is possible.
Q2. Name three main hazards associated with working at height.
Falls from ladders/scaffolds, falling objects, and fragile roof collapse.
Q3. What is the hierarchy of controls for working at height?
Eliminate work at height β Use collective fall prevention (guardrails, scaffolds) β Use fall arrest systems (harness, lifeline).
Q4. Which regulation governs working at height safety?
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M or local equivalents (Work at Height Regulations 2005 UK, etc.).
Q5. What is a full-body harness and why is it important?
It distributes fall forces across the body and is essential in a fall arrest system.
Q6. What are anchor points?
Secure points capable of supporting the forces of a fall arrest system.
Q7. What inspections must be carried out before working at height?
Pre-use checks of PPE, scaffold tags, weather conditions, and permits.
Q8. What is a βPermit to Workβ for working at height?
A formal system authorizing hazardous work, ensuring safety measures are in place.
Q9. What is the difference between fall prevention and fall arrest?
Prevention stops the fall; arrest stops it after it starts.
Q10. Why is training critical for working at height?
Workers learn hazards, equipment use, and emergency procedures.
Q11. Name two types of ladders used for working at height.
Step ladders and extension ladders.
Q12. What is meant by a competent person?
Someone with knowledge, training, and experience to supervise and inspect work at height safely.
Q13. What is the safe angle for placing a ladder?
About 75 degrees (1:4 ratio β one foot out for every four feet up).
Q14. Why are toe boards installed on scaffolds?
To prevent tools or materials from falling.
Q15. What is a rescue plan?
A documented procedure for promptly retrieving someone after a fall.
πΉ Section 2: Long Answer Questions (15 Examples)
Q16. Explain the process of conducting a risk assessment for working at height activities.
Identify hazards such as falling, dropped objects, or fragile surfaces. Evaluate who might be harmed and how. Decide on control measures (guardrails, safety nets, harnesses). Communicate the plan to workers and review regularly.
Q17. Describe the components of a complete fall protection system.
Anchorage, body support (harness), connecting device (lanyard/connector), and a written rescue plan.
Q18. Discuss the importance of scaffolding safety and inspection.
Scaffolds must be designed, erected, and inspected by competent persons. Use inspection tags (green/yellow/red) updated daily. Remove unsafe scaffolds from service.
Q19. How would you plan emergency rescue procedures for someone suspended after a fall?
Prepare a written rescue plan, train rescue personnel, ensure quick access to equipment, and practice drills to minimize suspension trauma.
Q20. Explain how weather conditions can impact working at height.
High winds, rain, ice, or lightning increase slip and fall hazards; work should be suspended in unsafe conditions.
Q21. What are the duties of a competent person for working at height operations?
Inspect equipment, supervise work, ensure compliance with standards, and stop work if unsafe.
Q22. Describe how to control falling objects during working at height.
Use toe boards, debris nets, tool lanyards, exclusion zones, and secure storage of materials.
Q23. How would you manage contractors performing high-risk work at height?
Pre-qualification, permit-to-work, toolbox talks, supervision, and periodic audits.
Q24. What documentation should be maintained for working at height activities?
Permits, inspection logs, training records, risk assessments, incident reports.
Q25. How can technology improve safety in working at height?
Use of drones for inspection, digital permit systems, and wearable sensors for fall detection.
Q26. Explain the difference between personal fall arrest systems and restraint systems.
Arrest systems stop a fall after it occurs. Restraint systems prevent the worker from reaching a fall hazard.
Q27. What training should workers receive before working at height?
Hazard awareness, equipment use, emergency procedures, and relevant regulations.
Q28. Discuss the role of supervision during working at height.
Supervisors ensure safe practices, compliance with permits, and immediate correction of unsafe behavior.
Q29. What are some best practices for ladder safety?
Use the right ladder, maintain three points of contact, secure the base, and never overreach.
Q30. How do you evaluate anchor points for fall arrest?
Check manufacturer ratings, structural integrity, location, and annual inspection records.
πΉ Section 3: Scenario-Based Questions (20 Examples)
Q31. Scenario: A worker is seen working on a roof without a harness.
Answer: Stop the work immediately, instruct the worker to come down, review the risk assessment, ensure proper PPE and retraining before resuming.
Q32. Scenario: During a scaffold inspection, you find missing toe boards.
Answer: Tag the scaffold as unsafe, restrict access, and rectify defects before use.
Q33. Scenario: The weather forecast predicts high winds but a critical task at height is scheduled.
Answer: Postpone the task until conditions improve; working in high winds increases fall risk.
Q34. Scenario: A contractor brings his own fall arrest equipment to site.
Answer: Verify certification, inspection records, and conduct a visual check before approval.
Q35. Scenario: A worker suffers a minor slip while on a ladder.
Answer: Provide first aid, investigate the cause (ladder stability, footwear, training), and update the risk assessment.
Q36. Scenario: While working on a tower, tools fall and almost hit someone below.
Answer: Implement tool tethering, install toe boards, enforce exclusion zones.
Q37. Scenario: A safety harness has expired according to manufacturer date.
Answer: Remove from service immediately and replace with compliant equipment.
Q38. Scenario: You are asked to approve working at height at night.
Answer: Ensure adequate lighting, supervision, reflective PPE, and updated risk assessment.
Q39. Scenario: An untrained worker is asked to assist in a high-rise task.
Answer: Deny access until the worker has received appropriate training and authorization.
Q40. Scenario: A suspended worker is awaiting rescue for more than 10 minutes.
Answer: Risk of suspension trauma; immediate rescue following pre-planned rescue procedure.
Q41. Scenario: A ladder is placed on uneven ground.
Answer: Stop use, relocate or level the surface, or use an appropriate platform.
Q42. Scenario: A worker removes his helmet to fit inside a tight space at height.
Answer: Halt the work, reinforce PPE requirements, and reassess method.
Q43. Scenario: A gust of wind blows away unsecured materials from scaffolding.
Answer: Secure all materials, use debris nets, and revise housekeeping practices.
Q44. Scenario: During an audit, you find fall arrest lanyards without shock absorbers.
Answer: Tag them out and replace with compliant lanyards; conduct refresher training.
Q45. Scenario: Workers are not using exclusion zones under a work-at-height area.
Answer: Erect barriers and signage immediately and brief workers on hazards.
Q46. Scenario: A mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) is being used without outriggers fully deployed.
Answer: Stop operation and ensure outriggers are extended as per manufacturer instructions.
Q47. Scenario: A workerβs harness is fitted too loosely.
Answer: Stop work, refit the harness properly, and retrain on correct donning.
Q48. Scenario: A rescue kit is missing at the job site.
Answer: Do not start work at height until the rescue kit is available and personnel trained.
Q49. Scenario: Workers are throwing tools down to the ground instead of using hoists.
Answer: Stop unsafe behavior, enforce tool lowering procedures, and provide proper equipment.
Q50. Scenario: You discover multiple incidents of non-compliance with fall protection.
Answer: Conduct immediate safety stand-down, investigate causes, reinforce policies, and document corrective actions.
Conclusion
Mastering Working at Height Safety Interview Questions demonstrates your competency in one of the most critical areas of occupational safety. By understanding hazards, control measures, rescue procedures, and regulations, youβll be well prepared for safety officer, supervisor, or manager roles.
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External Link: OSHA Fall Protection Standards
