Why should a worker avoid tying off to an anchor far off to one side?
Working at Heights: Anchor points and fixed supports
Permanent and temporary anchors, required strengths, sharp edges, the three types of anchor systems, and choosing safe anchor points.
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- Every answer explained
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- 16 questions
- Topic drill
Study reference: Ontario working at heights sources (Oct 2026), Ch. 10 Anchor points — O. Reg. 213/91 s. 26.7; Working at Heights Training Program Standard 9.2.3; WorkSafeBC booklet, Anchors
All 16 questions in this test
Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.
Why should a worker avoid tying off to an anchor far off to one side?
- The lanyard would become much too short
- The harness would come undone
- A fall would swing them into an obstruction
- The anchor would get too hot
What static force must a temporary fixed support for a fall arrest system withstand (without a shock absorber)?
- At least 1 kilonewton
- At least 0.5 kilonewtons
- At least 8 kilonewtons
- At least 2 kilonewtons
Must a fall arrest system's fixed support be independent?
- Yes; it must be an independent fixed support
- Only on the night shift
- No; any shared point is perfectly fine
- Only for the first worker on it
If a shock absorber is used in the fall arrest system, what is the minimum static capacity of a temporary fixed support?
- 2 kilonewtons
- 6 kilonewtons
- 22 kilonewtons
- 12 kilonewtons
Which feature must a fixed support not have?
- A clear marking showing its rated capacity
- Sharp edges that could cut or chafe the connection
- Enough strength to hold all the forces of a fall
- A smooth, rounded surface where the sling wraps around
What is an anchor point in a fall protection system?
- The heaviest tool in the worker's tool belt
- The spot where a falling worker lands
- The lowest rung of a portable ladder
- The secure point the system is connected to
When must a permanent anchor system be used as the fixed support?
- Whenever the worker prefers it to any temporary anchor on site
- When installed to the Building Code and safe and practical to use
- Only on buildings that are more than 20 storeys tall
- Never; temporary anchors are always required instead
Which is an acceptable type of anchor according to WorkSafeBC's booklet?
- A load-rated sling around a substantial structural member
- A stack of loose lumber piled near the edge of the roof
- A light fixture hanging from the ceiling below the work
- A plastic plumbing vent sticking up through the roof surface
Which list names the three basic types of anchor systems taught in working at heights training?
- Designed fixed supports, temporary supports, verified structural features
- Ropes, chains and cables of any size found in the gang box
- Pipes, vents and railings that happen to be close to the work
- Ladders, scaffolds and elevating work platforms available on the site
What static force must a temporary support for a fall restricting system withstand, unless used to the maker's written instructions?
- At least 30 kilonewtons
- At least 1 kilonewton
- At least 6 kilonewtons
- At least 2 kilonewtons
Besides the static force values, how else may a temporary fixed support's capacity be shown?
- By its colour matching the harness
- By dynamic testing to good engineering practice
- By asking the worker if it feels strong enough
- By its age and how long it has been there
What should guide the installation of a new anchor point?
- The manufacturer's recommendations and, if needed, an engineer
- The fastest way to attach it so work can begin right away
- Whatever tools happen to be in the truck that morning
- The worker's guess about what will probably hold their weight
A worker arrives at a new site and is told to use an anchor they have not seen before. What should they do?
- Test it by jumping on it while tied off
- Ask for information about the anchor before using it
- Choose a nearby pipe instead without asking
- Use it without question, since all anchors are the same
What static force must a temporary fixed support for a travel restraint system withstand?
- At least 2 kilonewtons
- At least 8 kilonewtons
- At least 50 kilonewtons
- At least 22 kilonewtons
Before using an existing structural feature as an anchor, what is needed?
- Nothing if it looks strong
- Verification by an engineer or competent person
- A quick visual check by anyone on the crew
- A photo sent to the supplier for approval
What can result from using an inappropriate item as an anchor point?
- The lanyard becomes shorter and safer
- The anchor can fail and the worker can fall
- Nothing; any solid-looking item will work fine
- The harness will automatically tighten
Anchor points and fixed supports: key rules to remember
Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗
fixed supports (anchors)
- A permanent anchor system is used as the fixed support if it was installed according to the Building Code and is safe and practical to use.
- Otherwise a temporary fixed support is used that can withstand a static force of at least:
- 8 kN for a fall arrest system;
- 6 kN for a fall arrest system that also uses a shock absorber;
- 6 kN for a fall restricting system (unless used to the manufacturer's written instructions and adequate);
- 2 kN for a travel restraint system.
- The capacity of a temporary support may instead be confirmed by dynamic testing to good engineering practice.
- A fixed support must have no sharp edges that could cut, chafe or abrade the connection.
Working at Heights Training Program Standard 9.2.3
- An anchor point is the secure point the fall protection system is connected to.
- Three basic types of anchor systems: designed fixed supports, temporary fixed supports (including portable or mobile anchors), and existing structural features verified by a professional engineer or competent person.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations when installing new anchors; where needed, a professional engineer approves them; ask for information before using a new anchor.
- Learners give examples of appropriate and inappropriate anchor points and the consequences of using inappropriate items as anchors.
anchors
- An anchor can be a load-rated strap or sling around a substantial structural member, or a manufactured component attached permanently or temporarily.
- Tie off so a fall will not swing you into an obstruction.
Study the Anchor points and fixed supports rules as flashcards →
Other topics
- Who needs working at heights trainingWho must take approved training, the two modules, minimum hours, the 75 per cent written test, three-year validity, refresher training, records and proof.
- Roles, rights and responsibilitiesDuties of employers, constructors, supervisors, suppliers and workers for work at heights, the three worker rights, reporting fall hazards and site-specific training.
- Recognizing fall hazardsWhen Ontario's construction fall protection rules apply, falls into machinery, water or openings, fragile surfaces and skylights, how fast a fall happens, and safe work plans.
- Choosing protection: the hierarchyEliminating the hazard first, guardrails before personal equipment, Ontario's ranking of travel restraint, fall restricting, fall arrest and safety nets, and the limits of PPE.
- Guardrails, coverings and barriersGuardrail heights, rails, toe boards, loads and post spacing, wood and wire rope guardrails, covers over openings, temporary removal, roof barriers and drowning hazards.
- LaddersPortable ladder grades, set-up angle, extension above the landing, step-ladder rules, three-point contact, inspection, fixed ladders and when not to use a ladder.
- Travel restraint, fall restricting and fall arrestWhat each system is made of and does, free-fall and force limits, inspection before each use, removing equipment after a fall, and safety nets.
- Harnesses, lanyards and connectorsFull body harnesses and safety belts, the fall arrest D-ring, lanyards and shock absorbers, carabiners and snap hooks, rope grabs, self-retracting lifelines, inspection and care.
- Vertical and horizontal lifelinesOne worker per vertical lifeline, positive stops, no knots or splices, protecting lifelines, engineered horizontal lifelines and their inspection.
- Fall distance, clearance and swing fallsFree fall, shock absorber extension, clearance below, bottoming out, the pendulum (swing-fall) effect, harness suspension and keeping tied off.
- Rescue planningWritten rescue procedures before using fall arrest or nets, roles in a fall rescue plan, site-specific plans, and rescue when workers may drown.