OSHA construction fall protection practice questions
25 free practice questions from 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
OSHA Fall protection
25 questions across 11 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Scope and definitions
1. Which activity is outside the scope of Subpart M?
- A. Working on the face of reinforcing steel 10 feet up
- B. Constructing a leading edge on a deck 8 feet above the ground
- C. Roofing work on a low-slope roof with edges 12 feet above the ground
- D. An inspection of workplace conditions before construction work actually starts
Show answer
Answer: D. An inspection of workplace conditions before construction work actually starts
The subpart's provisions "do not apply when employees are making an inspection, investigation, or assessment of workplace conditions prior to the actual start of construction work or after all construction work has been completed."
2. A gap in an exterior wall is 36 inches high and 24 inches wide, and an employee could fall through it to a lower level. Which Subpart M term describes this gap?
- A. A hole
- B. An opening
- C. A leading edge
- D. A controlled access zone
Show answer
Answer: B. An opening
An opening is "a gap or void 30 inches (76 cm) or more high and 18 inches (48 cm) or more wide, in a wall or partition, through which employees can fall to a lower level." A hole is a gap "in a floor, roof, or other walking/working surface."
Duty to have fall protection
3. Before employees are put to work on a walking/working surface, what does Subpart M require the employer to determine about it?
- A. Whether it has been painted a safety color
- B. Whether OSHA has inspected it within the past year
- C. Whether it has the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely
- D. Whether it is level to within 1 inch
Show answer
Answer: C. Whether it has the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely
"The employer shall determine if the walking/working surfaces on which its employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely." Employees may work on them only when they have that strength and integrity.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection (as of Nov 3, 2026)
4. An employee works 4 feet above dangerous equipment. How must the employee be protected from falling into or onto it?
- A. By guardrail systems or equipment guards
- B. By a safety monitoring system alone
- C. No protection is required below 6 feet
- D. By a warning line system alone
Show answer
Answer: A. By guardrail systems or equipment guards
Each employee "less than 6 feet (1.8 m) above dangerous equipment shall be protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by guardrail systems or by equipment guards."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection (as of Nov 3, 2026)
5. In a hoist area, the guardrail is removed and an employee must lean out over the edge of the access opening to guide materials. What protection does the rule require for that employee?
- A. A personal fall arrest system
- B. A warning line system
- C. A safety monitoring system
- D. A cover over the opening
Show answer
Answer: A. A personal fall arrest system
When guardrails are removed and an employee must lean through or out over the access opening, "that employee shall be protected from fall hazards by a personal fall arrest system."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection (as of Nov 3, 2026)
6. What must protect employees from tripping in or stepping into holes, including skylights?
- A. Warning lines
- B. Safety monitors
- C. Positioning device systems
- D. Covers
Show answer
Answer: D. Covers
Each employee on a walking/working surface "shall be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection (as of Nov 3, 2026)
7. For an employee on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel who could fall 6 feet or more to a lower level, which of these systems is listed as an allowed choice?
- A. A warning line system
- B. A positioning device system
- C. A controlled access zone
- D. A safety monitoring system
Show answer
Answer: B. A positioning device system
An employee on the face of formwork or reinforcing steel must be protected "by personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, or positioning device systems."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection (as of Nov 3, 2026)
8. For roofing work on a low-slope roof with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level, which pairing is one of the combinations the rule lists?
- A. A controlled access zone and a warning sign
- B. A safety monitoring system and a fall protection plan
- C. A warning line system and a safety monitoring system
- D. A warning line system and a positioning device system
Show answer
Answer: C. A warning line system and a safety monitoring system
The listed choices include "a combination of warning line system and guardrail system, warning line system and safety net system, or warning line system and personal fall arrest system, or warning line system and safety monitoring system."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection (as of Nov 3, 2026)
9. On a steep roof with edges 6 feet or more above lower levels, guardrail systems used for protection must have what?
- A. A warning line 6 feet back
- B. A safety monitor
- C. Toeboards
- D. A control line
Show answer
Answer: C. Toeboards
Employees on steep roofs must be protected "by guardrail systems with toeboards, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection (as of Nov 3, 2026)
10. An employee doing overhand bricklaying from a floor edge 8 feet above a lower level has to reach 14 inches below the walking/working surface. The rest of the crew's bricklaying is done in a controlled access zone. What protection does Subpart M require for this employee?
- A. The controlled access zone alone, as for the rest of the bricklaying
- B. A guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system
- C. A warning line system set back from the edge
- D. None, because reaching below the surface is part of the bricklaying task
Show answer
Answer: B. A guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system
A controlled access zone is one choice for overhand bricklaying 6 feet or more up, but "each employee reaching more than 10 inches (25 cm) below the level of the walking/working surface on which they are working, shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Guardrail systems
11. A crew is choosing material for the top rail and midrail of a guardrail system. Which material does the rule bar from that use?
- A. Wire rope at least one-quarter inch thick, flagged at not more than 6-foot intervals
- B. Steel banding or plastic banding
- C. Manila rope that is inspected as often as needed to keep its strength
- D. Wood members that meet the strength requirements
Show answer
Answer: B. Steel banding or plastic banding
"Steel banding and plastic banding shall not be used as top rails or midrails." Wire rope is allowed if "flagged at not more than 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals with high-visibility material."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
12. A guardrail system surrounds a ladderway hole that employees use as a point of access. How must the guardrail be arranged at that access point?
- A. Left open, with a warning sign beside the hole
- B. Closed off with caution tape only
- C. Fitted with a toeboard across the access gap
- D. Provided with a gate, or offset so a person cannot walk directly into the hole
Show answer
Answer: D. Provided with a gate, or offset so a person cannot walk directly into the hole
Guardrail systems around holes used as points of access "shall be provided with a gate, or be so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the hole."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Safety net systems
13. The employer can demonstrate that it is unreasonable to drop-test a safety net installation at the jobsite. What must happen before the net is used as a fall protection system?
- A. Nothing; the net may be used without any test or record
- B. The net may be used once a safety monitor is assigned to watch it
- C. The net may be used now if it is drop-tested within its first 6 months
- D. The employer, or a designated competent person, must prepare a certification record showing the net and its installation comply
Show answer
Answer: D. The employer, or a designated competent person, must prepare a certification record showing the net and its installation comply
In that case "the employer (or a designated competent person) shall certify that the net and net installation is in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (c)(3) and (c)(4)(i) of this section by preparing a certification record prior to the net being used as a fall protection system."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
14. Tools and scrap pieces have fallen into a safety net during the shift. When must they be removed from the net?
- A. At the end of the work week
- B. As soon as possible, and at least before the next work shift
- C. Only when the net is relocated
- D. Only when their weight approaches the net's rating
Show answer
Answer: B. As soon as possible, and at least before the next work shift
"Materials, scrap pieces, equipment, and tools which have fallen into the safety net shall be removed as soon as possible from the net and at least before the next work shift."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Personal fall arrest systems
15. Outside of elevator shaft construction, two employees use vertical lifelines as part of their personal fall arrest systems. How must they be attached?
- A. Each to a separate lifeline
- B. Both to one lifeline, as long as it has a 5,000-pound breaking strength
- C. Both to one lifeline, if a safety monitor is watching
- D. One to the lifeline and the other to a guardrail
Show answer
Answer: A. Each to a separate lifeline
"When vertical lifelines are used, each employee shall be attached to a separate lifeline." The only exception is for two employees on a guarded false car during elevator shaft construction.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
16. Which of these does Subpart M say a personal fall arrest system shall not be attached to?
- A. An anchorage able to support at least 5,000 pounds per employee attached
- B. An anchorage designed under a qualified person's supervision with a safety factor of at least two
- C. A self-retracting lifeline that meets the subpart's strength requirements
- D. A guardrail system
Show answer
Answer: D. A guardrail system
"Personal fall arrest systems shall not be attached to guardrail systems, nor shall they be attached to hoists except as specified in other subparts of this part."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
17. Employees work from a platform suspended from roof anchorages. What does Subpart M require of the anchorages their personal fall arrest equipment is attached to?
- A. They must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms
- B. They may be the same anchorages that suspend the platform
- C. They may be any guardrail post on the roof
- D. They must be attached to the platform's hoist
Show answer
Answer: A. They must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms
Anchorages for personal fall arrest equipment "shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached," or meet the qualified-person design option.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
18. What does Subpart M require the employer to provide for in the event of a fall by an employee using a personal fall arrest system?
- A. Prompt rescue of employees, or assurance that employees are able to rescue themselves
- B. A call to OSHA before anyone touches the system
- C. Only a written incident report within 30 days
- D. Rescue by the local fire department in every case
Show answer
Answer: A. Prompt rescue of employees, or assurance that employees are able to rescue themselves
"The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Positioning device systems
19. What load must the anchorage for a positioning device be capable of supporting?
- A. 1,800 pounds
- B. The weight of the employee only
- C. At least twice the potential impact load of an employee's fall or 3,000 pounds, whichever is greater
- D. 500 pounds per employee attached
Show answer
Answer: C. At least twice the potential impact load of an employee's fall or 3,000 pounds, whichever is greater
"Positioning devices shall be secured to an anchorage capable of supporting at least twice the potential impact load of an employee's fall or 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN), whichever is greater."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Covers
20. A cover is placed over a hole in a site roadway that delivery trucks cross. What must the cover be able to support without failure?
- A. At least twice the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle expected to cross it
- B. 200 pounds applied at any point
- C. The weight of the materials stored nearby
- D. The weight of one employee
Show answer
Answer: A. At least twice the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle expected to cross it
"Covers located in roadways and vehicular aisles shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the maximum axle load of the largest vehicle expected to cross over the cover."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Warning lines and controlled access zones
21. A roof uses a warning line system. Who may be in the area between the roof edge and the warning line?
- A. Any employee, as long as a safety monitor is on the roof
- B. Any employee who is carrying materials
- C. Only employees performing roofing work in that area
- D. Only supervisors and visitors
Show answer
Answer: C. Only employees performing roofing work in that area
"No employee shall be allowed in the area between a roof edge and a warning line unless the employee is performing roofing work in that area."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
22. Where a controlled access zone is used for leading edge work, how must its control line run in relation to the unprotected or leading edge?
- A. At a right angle to the edge
- B. Along only the part of the edge nearest the work
- C. Along the entire length of the edge, approximately parallel to it
- D. In a loop around each employee at the edge
Show answer
Answer: C. Along the entire length of the edge, approximately parallel to it
"The control line shall extend along the entire length of the unprotected or leading edge and shall be approximately parallel to the unprotected or leading edge."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Safety monitoring
23. Where must a safety monitor be in relation to the employee being monitored?
- A. On the ground level below the work
- B. On the same walking/working surface and within visual sighting distance
- C. In a site office watching by video
- D. On any level, as long as a radio is used
Show answer
Answer: B. On the same walking/working surface and within visual sighting distance
"The safety monitor shall be on the same walking/working surface and within visual sighting distance of the employee being monitored," and close enough to communicate orally.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Fall protection plans
24. Where must a copy of a fall protection plan, with all approved changes, be maintained?
- A. At the job site
- B. At the nearest OSHA area office
- C. In each employee's personnel file
- D. At the employer's main office only
Show answer
Answer: A. At the job site
"A copy of the fall protection plan with all approved changes shall be maintained at the job site."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Training
25. What must the employer's written certification record of fall protection training contain?
- A. A copy of the employee's test answers
- B. Only the name of the training company
- C. The employee's home address and phone number
- D. The employee's name or other identity, the training date(s), and the signature of the trainer or the employer
Show answer
Answer: D. The employee's name or other identity, the training date(s), and the signature of the trainer or the employer
The record "shall contain the name or other identity of the employee trained, the date(s) of the training, and the signature of the person who conducted the training or the signature of the employer."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.503, Training requirements (as of Nov 3, 2026)