CHST Fall Protection and Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Under OSHA 1926.502, what is the minimum tensile strength required for a personal fall arrest system's body harness?

2,500 lbs (Correct answer)
3,000 lbs
5,000 lbs
1,800 lbs

Correct answer: 2,500 lbs

OSHA 1926.502(d)(16) requires that each body harness component used in a personal fall arrest system be capable of withstanding a tensile strength of 2,500 lbs applied and sustained for one minute.

OSHA standard 1926.502(d)(16) specifies that body belts used in personal fall arrest systems must withstand a tensile strength of at least 2,500 lbs. This ensures that in the event of a fall, the harness will hold the worker without breaking. Body harnesses distribute fall arrest forces across the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders to minimize injury risk during an arrest.

Question 2: A worker is performing roofing work on a low-slope roof. Under OSHA 1926.502, a safety monitoring system used alone is only acceptable on low-slope roofs that are no wider than how many feet?

50 feet (Correct answer)
25 feet
75 feet
100 feet

Correct answer: 50 feet

A safety monitoring system alone is only permitted on low-slope roofs 50 feet or less in width. On roofs wider than 50 feet, a warning line system combined with a safety monitoring system or another form of fall protection must be used.

OSHA 1926.502(h) permits the use of a safety monitoring system on low-slope roofs only when it is used in conjunction with a warning line system on roofs with a width greater than 50 feet. Without the warning line system, a safety monitoring system alone is insufficient for wider roofs. Acceptable alternatives for any roof width include guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, and safety net systems.

Question 3: When must a personal fall arrest system be inspected before use?

Each day before use by the worker (Correct answer)
Weekly by a competent person
Monthly by the safety officer
Annually by a certified inspector

Correct answer: Each day before use by the worker

OSHA requires that personal fall arrest equipment be inspected before each use by the worker to identify any defects or damage that could cause failure during a fall event.

Under OSHA 1926.502(d)(21), personal fall arrest systems must be inspected for damage before each use. The worker using the equipment is responsible for this inspection. Any component showing defects such as cuts, cracks, abrasions, mold, chemical damage, or worn stitching must be removed from service immediately. After any fall arrest event, the entire system must be removed from service and inspected by a competent person before re-use.

Question 4: What is the maximum free-fall distance allowed when using a personal fall arrest system under OSHA 1926.502?

6 feet (Correct answer)
4 feet
8 feet
10 feet

Correct answer: 6 feet

OSHA 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) limits free-fall distance to a maximum of 6 feet when using a personal fall arrest system to prevent excessive arresting forces on the body.

OSHA standard 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) states that personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, shall limit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds and shall be rigged so that a worker can neither free-fall more than 6 feet nor contact any lower level. Limiting free-fall distance reduces the peak force on the body during arrest and lowers injury risk.

Question 5: At what height above a lower level does OSHA 1926.501 require fall protection for workers on construction sites?

6 feet or more (Correct answer)
4 feet or more
10 feet or more
8 feet or more

Correct answer: 6 feet or more

OSHA 1926.501 requires employers to protect workers from fall hazards whenever work is performed at heights of 6 feet or more above a lower level in the construction industry.

OSHA 1926.501 establishes the general rule that employers must protect workers from fall hazards at heights of 6 feet or more in the construction industry. This contrasts with the 4-foot trigger in general industry (1910.23). Fall protection methods include guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, and safety net systems. The 6-foot rule applies to activities such as leading edge work, excavations, ramps, runways, and roofing, with specific provisions for each.

Question 6: Under OSHA 1926.502, what must an employer do after a worker has experienced a fall arrest using a personal fall arrest system?

Remove the system from service immediately and have it inspected by a competent person before re-use (Correct answer)
Allow re-use if visual inspection shows no damage
Replace only the lanyard, not the harness
Tag the system as inspected and return it to service

Correct answer: Remove the system from service immediately and have it inspected by a competent person before re-use

OSHA 1926.502(d)(20) requires that PFAS components subjected to impact loading must be immediately removed from service and not used again until inspected and determined by a competent person to be undamaged.

After a fall arrest event, hardware and webbing are subjected to extreme forces that may cause hidden damage not visible to the naked eye. OSHA mandates immediate removal from service of any PFAS component that has arrested a fall. A competent person must inspect it thoroughly before it may be returned to use. In most cases, manufacturers recommend retiring the equipment after any fall arrest because internal damage such as stretched webbing and deformed hardware cannot be reversed.

CHST Fall Protection and Prevention 2

Under OSHA 1926.502, what is the minimum tensile strength required for a personal fall arrest system's body harness?