Fall Protection Quiz: Questions and Answers
Falls are still the leading killer in construction, and most of the numbers that prevent them fit on an index card. Ten questions on the ones crews get asked about most — each answer points to the paragraph in OSHA Subpart M it comes from.
Based on: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501, 1926.502, 1926.503
Question 1 of 10
Under Subpart M, who must train workers who might be exposed to fall hazards?
Question 2 of 10
What is the required height of the top rail of a guardrail system?
Question 3 of 10
A personal fall arrest anchorage that is not engineered must support at least:
Question 4 of 10
A personal fall arrest system must be rigged so you free fall no more than:
Question 5 of 10
With a full-body harness, the maximum arresting force on the worker is limited to:
Question 6 of 10
A lanyard that has already stopped a fall looks fine. What now?
Question 7 of 10
How often must a personal fall arrest system be inspected?
Question 8 of 10
Which statement about snaphooks is correct?
Question 9 of 10
A hole cover in a floor (not a roadway) must be able to support:
Question 10 of 10
A worker falls and is hanging in a harness. What does OSHA require of the employer?
Answer key with explanations (spoilers — take the quiz first)
1. Under Subpart M, who must train workers who might be exposed to fall hazards?
Answer: A competent person qualified in the fall hazards and systems on that job
Training is given by a competent person and covers the fall hazards in the work area, how the systems in use are erected, inspected and used, and each worker's role. The employer keeps a written certification of that training.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.503(a)–(b)
2. What is the required height of the top rail of a guardrail system?
Answer: 42 in ± 3 in
The top edge sits at 42 in, plus or minus 3 in, above the walking/working level. It must hold 200 lb applied outward or downward, and under that downward load the top edge may not sag below 39 in.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)–(4)
3. A personal fall arrest anchorage that is not engineered must support at least:
Answer: 5,000 lb per worker
5,000 lb per employee attached — or it must be designed, installed and used as part of a complete system with a safety factor of at least two, under the supervision of a qualified person.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15)
4. A personal fall arrest system must be rigged so you free fall no more than:
Answer: 6 ft
No more than 6 ft of free fall, and you must not contact any lower level. Deceleration distance is limited to 3.5 ft on top of that — which is why clearance below matters as much as the anchor.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)–(iv)
5. With a full-body harness, the maximum arresting force on the worker is limited to:
Answer: 1,800 lb
1,800 lb with a body harness. The 900 lb figure is the old body-belt limit — and body belts have not been allowed for fall arrest since 1998.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(i)–(ii)
6. A lanyard that has already stopped a fall looks fine. What now?
Answer: Remove it from service until a competent person inspects it and finds it undamaged
Anything subjected to impact loading comes out of service immediately and stays out until a competent person determines it is undamaged and suitable for reuse. Most manufacturers say to retire it outright.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(19)
7. How often must a personal fall arrest system be inspected?
Answer: Prior to each use
Before each use, for wear, damage and other deterioration. Defective parts come out of service. Many employers add a documented periodic inspection by a competent person.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21)
8. Which statement about snaphooks is correct?
Answer: Only locking-type snaphooks may be used
Only locking snaphooks since 1998. And unless designed for it, a snaphook must not be clipped to another snaphook, directly to webbing or rope, or to a D-ring that already has another connector on it.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(5)–(6)
9. A hole cover in a floor (not a roadway) must be able to support:
Answer: At least twice the weight of workers, equipment and materials that may be on it at one time
Twice the maximum load that could be on it at one time. It must also be secured against displacement and marked "HOLE" or "COVER" or color-coded.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(i)(2)–(4)
10. A worker falls and is hanging in a harness. What does OSHA require of the employer?
Answer: Provide for prompt rescue, or make sure workers can rescue themselves
The employer must provide for prompt rescue or ensure self-rescue. OSHA warns that suspension in a harness can lead to unconsciousness and death in under 30 minutes — a rescue plan that starts with calling 911 is often too slow.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(20); OSHA SHIB 03-24-2004 (suspension trauma)
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This is a practice quiz, not a certification or a qualification. It is scored in your browser, nothing is recorded, and passing it does not satisfy any OSHA training requirement. Answers reflect the cited standards as published; where your employer, site owner or the equipment manufacturer sets a stricter rule, that rule applies.