Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection questions for the CSP

Question 1

A warehouse has a floor hole beside a conveyor, with the floor 30 inches above the level below. Employees pass near the hole during their normal tasks. Under the standard, what protection is required for this hole?

1. ACovers or guardrail systems, to protect employees from tripping into or stepping into or through the hole
2. BA hinged floor-hole cover and a travel restraint system
3. CNo protection, because the hole is less than 4 feet above the lower level
4. DA personal fall arrest system for every employee who passes near the hole

Question 2

A plant uses a rectangular floor hole, guarded by a guardrail on all four sides, to lower parts to a lower level. During a shift, a forklift operator stages pallets next to the hole while a crew rigs a hoist. The supervisor proposes two plans for the periods when no material is moving through the hole: Plan 1 removes the two guardrail sides nearest the staging area and leaves them off between lifts to save setup time. Plan 2 reinstalls the sides, or covers the hole, whenever material is not being passed. Which assessment is correct?

1. APlan 2 is not required, because removing a third side is allowed between lifts if a worker watches the hole.
2. BPlan 1 is compliant, because the two-side limit applies at all times, not only while material is being passed.
3. CPlan 2 is required, because when material is not being passed the hole must be guarded on all unprotected sides or covered.
4. DPlan 1 is compliant, as long as the crew stays clear of the open sides between lifts.

Question 3

A safety professional is evaluating a newly installed ladder safety system on a fixed ladder. The manufacturer's documentation shows the system passed its drop test and that the connection between the carrier and the worker's harness attachment is 7 inches. During a trial climb, however, the worker has to keep pressing a release button on the sliding sleeve with one hand the whole way up so the sleeve will travel along the carrier. What is the correct determination?

1. AThe system is acceptable, because passing the drop test shows it can stop a fall and that is the deciding factor.
2. BThe system is acceptable, because a connection of 7 inches is within the allowed limit and the button only requires one hand.
3. CThe system does not meet the standard, because the worker must continuously push part of the system and cannot climb using both hands.
4. DThe system is acceptable as long as the worker rests between sections so the button is not pressed for the full climb.