Free Ontario Working at Heights Practice Test

Answer: D. A construction worker who may use a fall arrest system on a project covered by O. Reg. 213/91

O. Reg. 297/13 applies the requirement to construction workers who may use a travel restraint system, fall restricting system, fall arrest system, safety net, work belt or safety belt under O. Reg. 213/91. Workers outside construction projects are not covered by this training requirement.

Check it: O. Reg. 297/13, ss. 6-7

Answer: B. Three years from the date of successful completion

O. Reg. 297/13 s. 8 (1) makes the training valid for three years from the date of successful completion. Changing employers does not reset it, and a refresher is needed to stay valid for another three years.

Check it: O. Reg. 297/13, s. 8 (1)

Answer: A. The right to refuse work they believe is likely to endanger them

Workers have the right to know about hazards, the right to participate in health and safety, and the right to refuse unsafe work under the procedure in OHSA s. 43. They do not get to pick the project's fall protection method or opt out of required training.

Check it: OHSA s. 43; WAH Program Standard, Roles, rights and responsibilities

Answer: C. 3 metres

Section 26 lists falling more than 3 metres as the general trigger. Lower triggers apply to special cases, such as 1.2 metres where the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow, and any height where a worker could fall into machinery, water, a hazardous substance or through an opening.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26

Answer: B. Yes, because falls of more than 1.2 metres on a wheelbarrow path are covered

Section 26 sets a lower 1.2 metre trigger when the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment, because a worker pushing a load can easily lose footing at an edge. A 1.5 metre fall here is covered.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26, para. 2

Answer: C. Assembling roof truss sections on the ground and lifting them into place by crane

Elimination is the top of the hierarchy of controls: if the work is done at ground level, nobody is exposed to the fall. Harnesses, signs and watchers all leave the hazard in place and rely on people and equipment to manage it.

Check it: WAH Program Standard, Eliminating or controlling hazards (hierarchy of controls)

Answer: D. A travel restraint system

Section 26.1 (2) ranks the methods: travel restraint, then fall restricting, then fall arrest, then safety nets. Travel restraint ranks highest because it keeps the worker from reaching the edge at all, so no fall occurs.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.1 (2)

Answer: A. It leaves the hazard in place and works only if it is chosen, fitted, inspected and used correctly

PPE such as a harness and lanyard does not remove the fall hazard; it depends on the right selection, fit, inspection, anchorage and behaviour of each worker. Controls higher in the hierarchy remove or isolate the hazard instead.

Check it: WAH Program Standard, Eliminating or controlling hazards (limitations of PPE)

Answer: B. It must be securely fastened and adequately identified as covering an opening

A protective covering must completely cover the opening, be securely fastened, be adequately identified as covering an opening, and support all loads it may face, at least 2.4 kN per square metre. A loose or unmarked sheet can be moved or stepped through.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.3 (2)

Answer: A. At least 2 metres

Section 207 requires a barrier at least two metres from the perimeter of a built-up roof under construction, repair or resurfacing. It consists of weighted posts supporting a taut chain, cable or rope 1.1 metres above the roof level.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 207

Answer: D. At least 0.9 metres and not more than 1.1 metres

Section 26.3 (4) sets the top of the guardrail system at 0.9 to 1.1 metres above the surface, with an intermediate rail midway and a toe board. Too low and a worker can topple over; too high and they can slip under the top rail.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.3 (4)

Answer: C. 89 millimetres

The toe board must extend at least 89 mm up from the surface the guardrail is attached to. It stops tools, materials and feet from sliding off the edge, protecting workers and anyone below.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.3 (4), para. 4.1

Answer: D. 675 newtons

The top rail must resist a 675 N lateral point load and a 450 N vertical downward point load. The intermediate rail must resist 450 N and the toe board 225 N, each applied separately.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.3 (5)

Answer: C. Between 2 metres and about 2.7 metres out from directly below the top

A non-self-supporting ladder that is not fastened must have its base between one-quarter and one-third of its length from the point below the top. For an 8 m ladder that is 2 m to about 2.67 m.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 81 (2)

Answer: A. At least 900 millimetres

When a portable ladder is used for access between levels, it must extend at least 900 mm above the landing, have at least 150 mm clear behind every rung, have clear landings and be secured at the top and bottom.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 82 (2)

Answer: B. The legs are fully spread open and the spreaders are locked

Section 83 requires the legs to be fully spread and the spreaders locked, and forbids standing or stepping on the top cap, top step or pail shelf. Using a closed step-ladder as a leaning ladder is not using it as designed.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 83

Answer: C. Keeps a worker from reaching a location from which they could fall

O. Reg. 213/91 defines a travel restraint system as an assembly that restricts movement on a work surface so the worker cannot reach a place from which they could fall. Fall arrest and fall restricting systems act after a fall begins.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 1 (1) "travel restraint system"

Answer: A. 0.6 metres

Section 26.5 requires a fall restricting system to be attached to an independent fixed support and arranged under the manufacturer's instructions so free fall does not exceed 0.6 m. If a worker falls farther, the system comes out of service.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.5 (1)

Answer: B. 8 kilonewtons

Section 26.6 (5) caps the peak fall arrest force at 8 kN. A shock absorber helps keep the force well below that limit by extending as it absorbs the energy of the fall.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.6 (5)

Answer: D. 5.7 metres

Add lanyard length (1.8) + absorber extension (1.2) + stretch and D-ring shift (0.3) + D-ring height above feet (1.5) + safety margin (0.9) = 5.7 m. If the space below is less than this, the worker could strike the level below.

Check it: WAH Program Standard, Personal fall protection equipment (fall clearance); O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.6 (3)

Answer: C. Remove it from service until the manufacturer certifies all components safe for reuse

Section 26.6 (8) requires the system to be removed from service immediately after a fall and not used again unless the manufacturer certifies every component as safe for re-use. Fall forces can cause hidden damage.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.6 (8)

Answer: D. One

Section 26.9 (3) allows only one person at a time to use a lanyard. Lanyards and energy absorbers are designed and tested for a single user's fall.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.9 (3)

Answer: A. Anchor as close to directly overhead of the work position as possible

When the anchor is off to the side, a fall turns into a swing that can slam the worker into a structure or the ground. Keeping the anchor overhead and limiting sideways travel keeps the fall straight down and short.

Check it: WAH Program Standard, Personal fall protection equipment (pendulum effect)

Answer: B. At least 6 kilonewtons

Section 26.7 (2) requires 8 kN for a fall arrest support, reduced to 6 kN when a shock absorber is used. Travel restraint supports need at least 2 kN, and fall restricting supports 6 kN unless used under the manufacturer's written instructions.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.7 (2)

Answer: B. 2 kilonewtons

A travel restraint support needs at least 2 kN because it only has to hold the worker back from the edge, not stop a fall. Fall arrest supports need 8 kN (or 6 kN with a shock absorber).

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.7 (2), para. 5

Answer: D. An engineer designs it and the design states how many workers can safely attach

Section 26.9 (8) requires an engineered design showing the arrangement, components, number of workers, installation instructions and design loads. It must be inspected before each use and the constructor keeps the design at the project.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.9 (8)

Answer: C. The worker wears a full body harness in a fall arrest system tied to a fixed support, on a firm level surface

Section 129 (3) bars moving a castor-mounted scaffold with a worker on a platform more than 2.4 m above the base unless the worker is in a fall arrest system attached to a fixed support and the surface is firm and level.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 129 (3)

Answer: A. A full body harness connected to a fall arrest system

Section 142.06 (1) requires a full body harness connected to a fall arrest system. The lifeline must generally be suspended independently of the platform so a platform failure does not take the lifeline with it.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 142.06

Answer: D. Before a fall arrest system or safety net is used by a worker on the project

Section 26.1 (4) requires written rescue procedures before any use of a fall arrest system or safety net. A worker hanging in a harness needs prompt rescue, so the plan has to exist before work starts.

Check it: O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.1 (4)

Answer: A. Hanging motionless can pool blood in the legs and lead to loss of consciousness

Prolonged suspension in a harness can restrict circulation and cause blood to pool in the legs (suspension trauma), which can lead to fainting and serious harm. Rescue planning aims to reach the worker quickly.

Check it: WAH Program Standard, Personal fall protection equipment (harness suspension) and Rescue planning