General Contractor Practice Exam

What is required when using a horizontal lifeline?

1. It must be below the work surface

2. At or above the point of connection to the harness

3. Must be anchored at the feet

4. It should be at the waist level

The correct answer is: At or above the point of connection to the harness

The requirement that a horizontal lifeline must be at or above the point of connection to the harness is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers engaged in tasks at heights. When the horizontal lifeline is positioned at or above the harness connection point, it helps prevent free falls by allowing the safety equipment to operate effectively in the event of a fall. This positioning maximizes the potential to keep the worker safe, minimizing the distance they could potentially fall and reducing the risk of injury upon arresting that fall. Having the lifeline at a lower point than the connection can create excessive fall distance and increase the chances of kinetic impact forces that can lead to serious injuries. Thus, ensuring proper alignment of the lifeline with the worker's harness is an essential part of fall protection systems. Other contexts such as anchoring positions and height levels address various safety concerns, but the focus on the lifeline being at or above the connection point directly relates to the core fall protection principles crucial to effective safety practices in construction and other trades.