Fall Distance and Clearance Calculations questions for the ASP
ASP11 Domain 1: Mathematical Calculations (1.x Fall clearance calculations). 3 free questions below. Every answer quotes and links the formula source it rests on.
Question 1Calculation
A worker's harness D-ring is 5 ft above the walking surface. The worker uses a 4-ft lanyard attached to an anchorage 2 ft above the D-ring. Ignoring deceleration distance, what free fall distance results, and does the rigging meet OSHA's construction limit?
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Answer: A. 2 ft; meets the limit
Free fall is the lanyard length minus how far the anchorage is above the D-ring: 4 - (2) = 2 ft. A personal fall arrest system must be rigged so an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet, so this meets the limit. Anchoring below the D-ring adds to free fall.
Answer A rests on
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level;”
Question 2Calculation
A worker's harness D-ring is 5 ft above the walking surface. The worker uses a 6-ft lanyard attached to an anchorage level with the D-ring. Ignoring deceleration distance, what free fall distance results, and does the rigging meet OSHA's construction limit?
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Answer: B. 6 ft; meets the limit
Free fall is the lanyard length minus how far the anchorage is above the D-ring: 6 - (0) = 6 ft. A personal fall arrest system must be rigged so an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet, so this meets the limit. Anchoring below the D-ring adds to free fall.
Answer B rests on
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level;”
Question 3Calculation
A worker's harness D-ring is 5 ft above the walking surface. The worker uses a 6-ft lanyard attached to an anchorage at foot level on the deck. Ignoring deceleration distance, what free fall distance results, and does the rigging meet OSHA's construction limit?
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Answer: D. 11 ft; exceeds the limit
Free fall is the lanyard length minus how far the anchorage is above the D-ring: 6 - (-5) = 11 ft. A personal fall arrest system must be rigged so an employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet, so this exceeds the limit. Anchoring below the D-ring adds to free fall.
Answer D rests on
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16)(iii)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level;”
13 more fall distance and clearance calculations questions in the full ASP bank
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