Self-Test B-3.1: Describe Ladders and Elevated Platforms

Complete Self-Test B-3.1 and check your answers.

1. Which organization publishes the Occupational Health and Safety regulations related to ladders and scaffolds in British Columbia?

a. Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
b. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
c. WorkSafeBC
d. National Building Code

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic types of ladders?

a. Step ladder
b. Extension ladder
c. Single (straight) ladder
d. Platform ladder

3. A Grade 1 ladder is designed primarily for:

a. Household use
b. Construction or industrial use
c. Office use
d. Recreational use

4. A step ladder is described as self-supporting. What does this mean?

a. It must be secured to a wall before use
b. It can stand on its own without leaning against a structure
c. It can only be used indoors
d. It must be used with scaffolding

5. When using a step ladder, which safety practice must always be followed?

a. Stand on the top step to gain extra height
b. Lock the spreaders before climbing
c. Lean the ladder against a wall
d. Use the shelf near the top as a step

6. Manufactured single ladders usually have:

a. Cleats
b. Platforms
c. Rungs
d. Spreaders

7. On a job-built ladder, the climbing steps are called:

a. Spreaders
b. Cleats
c. Guardrails
d. Platforms

8. For safe ladder setup, the distance between the ladder base and the wall should be approximately:

a. One tenth of the ladder height
b. One quarter of the ladder height
c. One half of the ladder height
d. The same as the ladder height

9. A worker must access a platform that is 4 m high. Approximately how far should the ladder base be from the wall?

a. 0.5 m
b. 1 m
c. 2 m
d. 4 m

10. In an extension ladder, the overlap section refers to:

a. The part where ladder feet touch the ground
b. The section where ladder parts slide over each other
c. The rung spacing on the ladder
d. The guardrail attachment point

11. A temporary structure used to provide a working platform at height is called a:

a. Cleat
b. Scaffold
c. Spreader
d. Guardrail

12. Who is responsible for ensuring scaffolds used by workers are safe and able to withstand loads?

a. The worker using the scaffold
b. The manufacturer
c. The employer
d. The safety inspector

13. Before using a scaffold, a responsible worker must:

a. Inspect the scaffold
b. Paint the scaffold
c. Remove guardrails
d. Install additional planks

14. A scaffold is being erected on soft ground. What should be used to spread the load and provide support?

a. Toe-boards
b. Mudsills
c. Cleats
d. Coupler pins

15. The term out-of-plumb refers to a structure that is:

a. Not level horizontally
b. Not perfectly vertical
c. Not supported properly
d. Too tall for its base

16. Guardrails must be installed when a scaffold work platform is more than:

a. 1 m above ground
b. 2 m above ground
c. 3 m above ground
d. 5 m above ground

17. The purpose of toe-boards on scaffolds is to:

a. Support the scaffold frame
b. Prevent tools or materials from falling off the platform
c. Secure the scaffold to the building
d. Connect scaffold braces

18. What is the main function of a scissor lift?

a. To move workers horizontally
b. To raise workers vertically using folding supports
c. To stabilize scaffolding
d. To secure ladders

19. Casters on a rolling scaffold allow the scaffold to:

a. Increase height
b. Move easily across a surface
c. Attach to a building
d. Support heavier loads

20. The platform where a worker stands on a boom lift is called the:

a. Guardrail
b. Bucket
c. Cleat
d. Coupler

Answer Key: Self-Test B-3.1 is on the next page.