Tower Climber Practice Test for TTT-1 Prep

1. You need to move your lanyard past a mount on the leg. What is the correct way to transition?

Answer: Clip the second lanyard above the obstruction before unclipping the first

Above 6 ft you are protected at all times — 100% tie-off. With a twin-leg lanyard, the second leg goes on before the first comes off. A positioning lanyard is not fall arrest and does not count.

Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1); ANSI/ASSP A10.48 (continuous fall protection)

2. The side D-rings on your harness are for:

Answer: Work positioning only

Side D-rings are work-positioning attachments — never fall arrest. Fall arrest goes to the back (dorsal) D-ring, or a front attachment only when the system manufacturer specifies it, as with a ladder safety sleeve.

Source: ANSI/ASSP Z359.11 (harness attachment elements)

3. A work positioning system must be rigged so you cannot free fall more than:

Answer: 2 ft

Two feet. Its anchorage must hold twice the potential impact load or 3,000 lb, whichever is greater. If a fall of more than 2 ft is possible, you need fall arrest as well.

Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(e)(1)–(2)

4. Which is an acceptable fall arrest anchor on a tower?

Answer: A structural member capable of 5,000 lb per attached climber, or one approved by a qualified person

Fall arrest anchorages need 5,000 lb per person or a qualified-person design with a safety factor of two. Cables, cable ladders, ice bridges and small antenna hardware are not anchors.

Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15)

5. When does your harness, lanyard and connector set need to be inspected?

Answer: Before each use

Before every climb: webbing, stitching, hardware, labels, energy absorber. Anything defective comes out of service. That is the whole point of the pre-climb check.

Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21)

6. A climber is hanging in a harness after a fall. How much time does OSHA say you may have before suspension becomes deadly?

Answer: Less than 30 minutes

OSHA’s bulletin on suspension trauma cites research showing unconsciousness and death can follow in under 30 minutes. That is why rescue gear and a trained rescuer have to be on site before anyone leaves the ground.

Source: OSHA SHIB 03-24-2004; 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(20)

7. Under ANSI A10.48, how does an authorized climber differ from a competent climber?

Answer: An authorized climber works under the supervision of a competent climber, who can identify hazards and has authority to correct them

The authorized climber is trained to climb and recognize hazards; the competent climber has the added experience to identify hazards and the authority to take corrective action, and supervises authorized climbers.

Source: ANSI/ASSP A10.48 — authorized and competent climber

8. Thunder is heard while you are on the tower. When is it safe to go back up after the last thunder?

Answer: After 30 minutes

Get down as soon as thunder is heard, then wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming. A tower is the tallest conductive object for miles.

Source: National Weather Service lightning safety guidance

9. You will be climbing past active panel antennas. Which is true?

Answer: You must know the exposure you will face and how to control it — power-down, distance, time, monitor

Occupational RF limits only apply to workers who are fully aware of the exposure and can control it. That means an RF plan before the climb, a personal monitor, and coordinating power reduction with the carrier where needed.

Source: FCC 47 CFR 1.1310(e)(2); FCC OET Bulletin 65

10. A lanyard stopped a short fall earlier today. Can you keep climbing with it?

Answer: No — it comes out of service until a competent person inspects it and says it is fit for reuse

Equipment that has taken an impact load is out of service immediately. On a tower crew, that usually means swapping to a spare set on the ground.

Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(19)