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HK SWP / Gondola Operator (CIC) study materials
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HK SWP / Gondola Operator (CIC) practice questions

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Question 1Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, who must be appointed before a suspended working platform is used to carry persons on a construction site?

  1. A scaffolders' union representative
  2. A safety supervisor registered with the Labour Department
  3. An authorised signatory of the developer
  4. A competent person to carry out the required examination and testing Correct answer.

Explanation

The Regulation requires suspended working platforms to be examined, tested and certified by a competent person before use and at the prescribed intervals afterwards. The appointment of a competent person is the mechanism that makes the platform lawful to use.

Question 2Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

In the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, a suspended working platform is best described as a working platform that is:

  1. Erected on a mobile chassis and moved by an operator sitting on it
  2. Built up from the ground with tubular steel and timber boards
  3. Suspended from a crane hook and used only for lifting materials
  4. Suspended and capable of being raised or lowered, together with its means of suspension Correct answer.

Explanation

The definition focuses on a platform suspended by ropes or similar means and able to be raised or lowered, together with the suspension equipment. It is the raising and lowering capability plus suspension that brings the platform within the Regulation.

Question 3Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

On a Hong Kong construction site, the main contractor's general duty under the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations is to ensure that the site, plant and working arrangements are safe. This duty is owed primarily to:

  1. All persons employed on the site, including those of sub-contractors Correct answer.
  2. Only visitors holding a valid green card
  3. Only persons directly employed by the main contractor
  4. Only the contractor's own supervisory staff

Explanation

The general duties are framed to protect persons employed on the site, and that expression covers workers of sub-contractors as well as the main contractor's own employees. The main contractor cannot limit its duty by relying on the employment relationship.

Question 4Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Which body is responsible for administering the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and its subsidiary regulations, including those governing suspended working platforms?

  1. The Labour Department Correct answer.
  2. The Hong Kong Housing Authority
  3. The Buildings Department
  4. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department

Explanation

The Labour Department administers the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and the safety regulations made under it. Its occupational safety officers enforce those provisions on construction sites.

Question 5Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

A gondola operator is instructed by the site agent to use a suspended working platform that has no current certificate of examination and test. What is the operator's correct course of action?

  1. Use the platform only for the remainder of the current shift
  2. Use the platform but keep the load light and lower it slowly
  3. Ask a workmate to sign the certificate so work can continue
  4. Refuse to use the platform and report the matter to the competent person or safety officer Correct answer.

Explanation

Using a suspended working platform without a valid certificate is a breach of the Regulation, and the operator shares responsibility for not operating unsafe equipment. The correct response is to stop, refuse and escalate the defect through the proper channel.

Question 6Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Which document issued by the Labour Department provides practical guidance on the safe design, erection, use and maintenance of suspended working platforms?

  1. The Site Safety Handbook for Public Works
  2. The Electricity Supply Regulations
  3. The General Specification for Building
  4. The Code of Practice for Safe Use of Suspended Working Platforms Correct answer.

Explanation

The Labour Department publishes a code of practice specifically addressing suspended working platforms, covering design, erection, inspection, operation and maintenance. Codes of practice are not statutes but are admissible as evidence of the expected standard.

Question 7Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Before a worker first operates a suspended working platform on a Hong Kong construction site, which training requirement applies?

  1. No training is required if the worker has previous experience on scaffolds
  2. The worker must hold a recognised certificate for the operation of suspended working platforms Correct answer.
  3. The worker must be a registered electrical worker
  4. The worker must hold a valid driving licence

Explanation

Operators of suspended working platforms are expected to have completed recognised training and to hold the relevant certificate before operating the equipment. Site experience alone does not substitute for the recognised training.

Question 8Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

A suspended working platform is fitted with an independent secondary suspension system in addition to the main ropes. What is the main purpose of this arrangement?

  1. To increase the lifting speed of the platform
  2. To allow the platform to be moved horizontally along the façade
  3. To reduce the electrical load on the hoist motor
  4. To provide a fallback suspension if the primary suspension fails Correct answer.

Explanation

An independent secondary suspension provides a redundant means of support so that a single failure in the primary suspension does not cause the platform to fall. It is a fail-safe measure, not a performance enhancement.

Question 9Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

During a pre-use check, the operator notices that the tail end of a suspension rope is not fitted with the required termination and the rope shows broken wires. What should happen?

  1. The platform must be taken out of service until the rope is replaced and the platform recertified as required Correct answer.
  2. The operator may shorten the rope and continue using the platform
  3. The platform may be used if the load is reduced by half
  4. The broken wires may be taped over and the platform used for the rest of the day

Explanation

Damaged suspension ropes and defective rope terminations are critical defects that make the platform unsafe to use. The platform must be withdrawn from service and the defect corrected by a competent person before use resumes.

Question 10Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Who is responsible for ensuring that a suspended working platform is examined and tested at the intervals required by the Regulation once it is in use?

  1. The worker who happens to be on the platform at the time
  2. The contractor who has control of the platform, acting through a competent person Correct answer.
  3. The manufacturer of the hoist unit, wherever it is located
  4. The operator alone, because the operator is the last person to touch the platform

Explanation

The duty to arrange statutory examination and testing rests with the contractor in control of the platform, who discharges it by appointing a competent person. The operator's role is to check the platform before use and to stop work if it is defective.

Question 11Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

A sub-contractor erects a suspended working platform on a site controlled by a main contractor. How are safety responsibilities for the platform allocated?

  1. Both the main contractor and the sub-contractor have responsibilities, which may overlap Correct answer.
  2. Only the main contractor bears responsibility, because it controls the site
  3. Responsibility passes to the operator once the platform is handed over
  4. Only the sub-contractor bears any responsibility, because it erected the platform

Explanation

Site safety duties are not exclusive: the main contractor's site-wide duty and the sub-contractor's duty as employer and erector can apply to the same platform at the same time. Overlapping responsibility is the norm, and each party must discharge its own duty.

Question 12Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

What does the term 'competent person' mean in the context of the suspended working platform legislation?

  1. A person holding a director-level position in the contractor's company
  2. A person nominated by the workers' union
  3. Any person who has worked on site for more than ten years
  4. A person with the necessary training, experience and knowledge to perform the particular examination or task Correct answer.

Explanation

Competence is defined by the combination of training, experience and knowledge needed for the specific task, not by seniority or length of service alone. The person must actually be capable of performing the examination or operation in question.

Question 13Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

An operator is unsure whether a particular suspended working platform is within the scope of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation. What is the most reliable approach?

  1. Check the statutory definition and the Labour Department code of practice, and seek advice if still unclear Correct answer.
  2. Assume the Regulation applies only to platforms above ten metres
  3. Ask the hoist manufacturer's sales representative to decide
  4. Rely on the practice followed on the previous site

Explanation

Scope questions are resolved by reading the statutory definition and the associated code of practice, which explain how the Regulation is applied. Where doubt remains, advice should be sought from the enforcing authority or a competent person rather than assumed.

Question 14Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Which of the following best describes the legal status of a Labour Department code of practice on suspended working platforms?

  1. It is a statute and breach of it is a criminal offence in itself
  2. It is a contract term binding only on government projects
  3. It is guidance that is not law, but may be used in evidence to establish the expected standard Correct answer.
  4. It is an advisory note with no evidential value

Explanation

Codes of practice issued under the Ordinance provide practical guidance and are not themselves statutes. However, failure to follow a relevant code can be relied on in proceedings as evidence of failure to meet the required standard.

Question 15Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

A suspended working platform is to be used on a site where the suspension ropes pass close to a live overhead power line. What is the contractor's primary obligation before work begins?

  1. Eliminate the hazard by isolating or diverting the power line, or otherwise control the risk before use Correct answer.
  2. Rely on the operator to keep the platform below the line
  3. Instruct the operator to wear rubber gloves
  4. Post a warning sign and proceed with the work

Explanation

The contractor must control the risk before work starts, with elimination of the electrical hazard being the preferred measure. Administrative measures such as signs or gloves are only acceptable where the hazard cannot be removed and are not a substitute for isolation.

Question 16Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Which of the following is a duty that falls on the operator of a suspended working platform during normal use?

  1. Carrying out pre-use checks and stopping work if a defect is found Correct answer.
  2. Designing the suspension rig for the building
  3. Approving the site safety plan
  4. Certifying the platform after major alteration

Explanation

The operator's duties centre on checking the platform before use, using it within its rated capacity and stopping work when something is wrong. Design, certification and plan approval belong to other parties.

Question 17Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

A platform's rated load is exceeded because three workers board a gondola designed for two. Which statement best reflects the operator's responsibility?

  1. Overloading is the site agent's concern only, not the operator's
  2. The operator may proceed if the extra worker holds a safety card
  3. The operator may proceed if the platform is lowered slowly
  4. The operator must refuse to operate an overloaded platform and ensure the load limit is observed Correct answer.

Explanation

The rated load is a safety limit, and the operator is responsible for ensuring it is not exceeded. Overloading can cause rope, hoist or structural failure, so the operator must refuse to operate until the load is within the limit.

Question 18Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Which of these situations would most clearly require the platform to be re-examined by a competent person before further use?

  1. The platform has been used continuously for a week without incident
  2. The platform has been cleaned at the end of the day
  3. The platform has been dismantled, moved to a new location and re-erected Correct answer.
  4. The operator has changed shift

Explanation

Dismantling, relocation and re-erection materially alter the platform's installation, so the statutory examination and testing regime applies afresh. Routine cleaning or a change of operator does not trigger re-examination.

Question 19Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

How does the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance approach the duties of employers and workers in relation to suspended working platform safety?

  1. It imposes duties on both employers and workers, including a duty on workers to take care of themselves and others Correct answer.
  2. It imposes duties only on employers, with workers having no statutory obligations
  3. It imposes duties only on workers, with employers merely providing equipment
  4. It imposes duties only on the manufacturer of the platform

Explanation

The Ordinance and its regulations place duties on employers and on persons employed, so workers also have statutory obligations to take reasonable care and to cooperate with safety arrangements. Safety responsibility is therefore shared rather than one-sided.

Question 20Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

A gondola operator sees that the platform's safety device has been deliberately bypassed so that work can continue faster. What is the operator's correct response?

  1. Continue working because the bypass was authorised by a supervisor
  2. Continue working but note the bypass in the logbook
  3. Remove the bypass personally and continue working without telling anyone
  4. Stop using the platform, report the bypass, and do not resume until the device is restored and the platform checked Correct answer.

Explanation

A bypassed safety device defeats a critical protection, and continuing to use the platform would expose the operator to serious risk and breach the operator's own duties. The platform must be stopped, the matter reported, and use resumed only after the device is restored and the platform is checked.

Question 21Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Which combination best reflects the roles of contractor, competent person and operator for a suspended working platform?

  1. Contractor certifies; competent person operates; operator examines the ropes
  2. Contractor operates; competent person arranges payment; operator designs the rig
  3. Contractor examines; competent person operates; operator approves the site plan
  4. Contractor arranges and controls; competent person examines and certifies; operator checks before use and operates within limits Correct answer.

Explanation

The contractor controls the platform and arranges statutory examination; the competent person performs the examination and certification; the operator conducts pre-use checks and uses the platform within its limits. Keeping these roles distinct is central to the regulatory scheme.

Question 22Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

A contractor argues that because the platform's hoist unit carries a manufacturer's certificate, no further examination is needed on site. How should this argument be assessed?

  1. It is unsound only if the platform is more than five years old
  2. It is unsound, because the statutory examination concerns the installed platform and its suspension on site Correct answer.
  3. It is sound, because the manufacturer's certificate covers all site conditions
  4. It is sound, provided the platform is used below half its rated load

Explanation

The statutory examination and testing regime addresses the platform as installed, including its suspension arrangements and the conditions on the particular site. A manufacturer's certificate for a component does not discharge the contractor's on-site duties.

Question 23Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

Two parties disagree about who must pay for the statutory examination of a platform that has been re-erected. Which statement is legally most accurate?

  1. The operator must pay because the operator uses the platform
  2. No examination is needed after re-erection if the same competent person previously certified the platform
  3. The manufacturer must pay because it supplied the hoist
  4. The party with the duty to ensure examination occurs must see that it is done, whatever private arrangement covers the cost Correct answer.

Explanation

The statutory duty to ensure examination is independent of who ultimately bears the cost, which is a matter for private contract. A party subject to the duty cannot escape it by pointing to a cost dispute.

Question 24Statutory framework and safety responsibilities (FSD/ Labour Department requirements, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms) Regulation, codes of practice, roles of contractor, competent person and operator)

An operator is asked to use a suspended working platform whose suspension ropes are anchored to a temporary structure that has not been assessed for the imposed loads. What is the key safety concern?

  1. The operator will need additional training on the hoist controls
  2. The hoist motor will overheat
  3. The platform will operate more slowly than normal
  4. The temporary structure may be unable to carry the platform and its load, so the anchorages must be assessed before use Correct answer.

Explanation

Suspension anchorages must be capable of carrying the platform, its load and the dynamic effects of operation. An unassessed temporary structure raises the risk of anchorage failure, which can cause the platform to fall.

Question 25SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

In a temporary suspended working platform (gondola) system, what is the primary function of the safety rope (secondary rope)?

  1. To serve as the hoisting rope for the winch during raising and lowering
  2. To stabilise the cradle against wind by tying it to the building facade
  3. To provide a separate anchor for the fall arrest system independent of the suspension rope Correct answer.
  4. To carry the working load together with the suspension wire rope

Explanation

The safety rope is an independent lifeline, anchored separately from the suspension wire rope, to which the operative's fall arrest device connects. Because it does not carry the cradle load, it remains available if the suspension rope or winch fails. It must never be used as a load-bearing suspension element.

Question 26SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

A gondola cradle is described as having single-point suspension. What does this mean for the roof rig?

  1. The cradle is suspended from a single parapet clamp with no counterweight
  2. The whole cradle is supported by one central suspension point above the roof
  3. The cradle hangs from one suspension point per side, with one wire rope and one rig per side of the cradle Correct answer.
  4. Two wire ropes share a single roof beam on one side of the building

Explanation

Single-point suspension means each end of the cradle is hung from its own suspension point, so there are two independent rigs, one per side, each with its own wire rope. The term refers to one suspension point per side, not one point for the entire platform. Dual-point or multi-point arrangements add further suspension points per side for longer platforms.

Question 27SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Why must a roof rig using counterweights be provided with tie-back ropes anchored to a suitable structural point?

  1. To resist the outward overturning moment that the suspension rope imposes on the rig Correct answer.
  2. To align the outrigger beam perpendicular to the parapet
  3. To allow the counterweights to be reduced in number during operation
  4. To keep the counterweights from being removed by unauthorised persons

Explanation

The suspension rope pulls the outrigger beam inward and downward, creating an overturning moment about the parapet or fulcrum. Tie-backs anchor the beam to a structural point so this moment is resisted even if counterweights are disturbed. Counterweights alone are a gravity resistance and tie-backs provide the independent restraint required by good practice.

Question 28SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

What is the purpose of a parapet clamp in a gondola roof rig?

  1. To lock the cradle at roof level during loading and unloading
  2. To grip the parapet and transfer rig loads into the parapet structure instead of using counterweights Correct answer.
  3. To clamp the suspension wire rope where it passes over the parapet
  4. To secure the safety rope to the top of the parapet wall

Explanation

A parapet clamp is a proprietary device that grips the parapet wall so the outrigger loads are transferred into the building structure, avoiding the need for counterweights. Its use depends on the parapet being structurally adequate and on the manufacturer's instructions being followed. It grips the structure, not the ropes.

Question 29SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

An outrigger beam on a roof rig projects over the edge of the building. Which statement correctly describes the load path it creates?

  1. The beam transfers the cradle load directly to the parapet clamp without any bending
  2. The beam distributes load equally to both ends regardless of the suspension point position
  3. The beam acts as a cantilever, so the inboard counterweight and tie-back resist the moment from the outboard suspension load Correct answer.
  4. The beam is in pure tension between the counterweight and the suspension rope

Explanation

The projecting outrigger behaves as a cantilever: the outboard suspension rope load creates a moment about the fulcrum at the parapet, which must be balanced by inboard counterweight and tie-back restraint. The beam is therefore in bending, not pure tension. The position of the suspension point governs the moment, so loads are not shared equally.

Question 30SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

What is the correct term for the suspended platform itself, in which operatives stand to carry out work at height?

  1. The outrigger
  2. The cradle Correct answer.
  3. The parapet clamp
  4. The tie-back

Explanation

The cradle is the suspended platform or basket in which operatives work, hung from the suspension wire ropes. The outrigger is the roof beam, the tie-back is the anchor rope, and the parapet clamp is a rig fixing. Keeping these terms distinct is essential for clear communication on site.

Question 31SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

A fall arrest system used from a gondola cradle typically consists of a full body harness connected by a lanyard to a fall arrest device. What must that device run on?

  1. The suspension wire rope on the same side as the operative
  2. The tie-back rope on the roof
  3. The independent safety rope Correct answer.
  4. The winch control cable

Explanation

The fall arrest device, such as a rope grab, must travel on the independent safety rope so that a failure of the suspension system does not also remove the fall protection. Connecting to the suspension rope would leave the operative unprotected if that rope or its anchorage failed. The safety rope is anchored separately for exactly this reason.

Question 32SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Why is a suspension wire rope specified as a wire rope rather than a fibre rope for a gondola?

  1. Fibre rope is prohibited only because it is more expensive
  2. Wire rope allows the winch to be operated without a brake
  3. Wire rope is lighter and easier to handle on the roof
  4. Wire rope provides the strength, abrasion resistance and predictable termination needed for a certified lifting suspension Correct answer.

Explanation

Suspension wire ropes are engineered lifting components with known breaking loads, resistance to abrasion at the parapet and reliable terminations at the winch and rig. Fibre rope would not provide the same assured strength or durability in a suspended lifting application. Cost is not the governing reason.

Question 33SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Two operatives are working in a cradle suspended by single-point suspension on each side. Which statement best describes the required fall protection arrangement?

  1. Fall arrest is unnecessary once the cradle is fitted with a secondary suspension rope
  2. Both operatives may clip to the same safety rope provided they use the same lanyard length
  3. Each operative should be connected to a suitable anchor, with the safety rope arrangement designed so that one person's fall does not endanger the other Correct answer.
  4. Only one operative needs fall arrest because the cradle has guardrails

Explanation

Fall protection must be arranged so that a fall by one person does not compromise the anchorage or drag the other person. This usually means independent safety ropes or a designed system for multiple users, following the manufacturer's instructions. Guardrails and secondary suspension do not replace personal fall arrest.

Question 34SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

What is the function of the counterweight in a counterweighted roof rig?

  1. To provide the inboard mass that balances the overturning moment from the outboard suspension load Correct answer.
  2. To pull the cradle inward towards the building facade
  3. To tension the safety rope during descent
  4. To increase the working load limit of the suspension wire rope

Explanation

Counterweights supply inboard mass so that the rig resists the moment created by the outboard suspension rope load. They do not increase the rope's capacity or tension the safety rope. Their number and position must follow the rig design and be secured against disturbance.

Question 35SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

An operative notices that the suspension wire rope passes over a sharp concrete parapet edge with no protection. What is the correct action and reason?

  1. Continue working but reduce the load in the cradle by half
  2. Continue working and record the sharp edge in the daily report
  3. Stop and have edge protection fitted, because abrasion and kinking at the edge can reduce the rope's strength Correct answer.
  4. Continue working because wire rope is abrasion resistant, and inspect it at the end of the shift

Explanation

A sharp edge can abrade, crush or kink the suspension wire rope, reducing its strength and potentially causing failure. Edge protection such as a suitable roller or pad must be fitted before work continues. Rope is not immune to abrasion simply because it is made of steel.

Question 36SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Which of the following best describes a temporary suspended working platform as distinct from a permanent suspended platform?

  1. It is a platform supported from below by scaffolding
  2. It is a mobile elevating work platform on wheels
  3. It is permanently fixed to the building and inspected annually only
  4. It is installed for the duration of a specific task and is removed when that task is complete Correct answer.

Explanation

A temporary suspended working platform is erected for a defined task, such as facade work, and dismantled afterwards. It is suspended from above rather than supported from below. Permanent installations remain fixed to the building for long-term use and are maintained accordingly.

Question 37SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

In a dual-point suspension arrangement for a long cradle, what is the main structural advantage compared with single-point suspension?

  1. It removes the need for any roof rig or counterweight
  2. It permits the cradle to be used without a winch
  3. It reduces the span between suspension points, lowering bending moments in the cradle and improving stability Correct answer.
  4. It allows the safety rope to be omitted

Explanation

Adding suspension points along a long cradle shortens the unsupported span, which reduces bending in the cradle structure and improves stability. Roof rigging and counterweights are still required at each suspension point. Safety ropes and winches remain necessary.

Question 38SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

What is the purpose of a tie-back in relation to the outrigger beam's inboard end?

  1. To connect the outboard end to the cradle for extra support
  2. To connect the inboard end to a structural anchor so the beam cannot be pulled inward over the edge Correct answer.
  3. To join two outrigger beams together for rigidity
  4. To attach the counterweights to the suspension rope

Explanation

The tie-back connects the inboard end of the outrigger to a suitable structural anchor, preventing the beam from being drawn inward and over the edge by the suspension load. It works together with the counterweights. It is not a connection to the cradle or to the suspension rope.

Question 39SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

A rigger plans to use a parapet clamp on a parapet of unknown construction. What is the correct approach?

  1. Install the clamp and test it by loading the cradle with two operatives
  2. Confirm the parapet's structural adequacy and the clamp manufacturer's suitability before relying on it Correct answer.
  3. Assume the parapet is adequate if it is more than one metre high
  4. Use the clamp only if counterweights are also fitted at the same time

Explanation

A parapet clamp relies on the strength of the parapet to resist the rig loads, so its adequacy must be confirmed before use. The clamp must also be suitable for that parapet type and installed to the manufacturer's instructions. Height alone says nothing about structural capacity.

Question 40SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Which component is specifically intended to arrest a falling person while working from a cradle?

  1. The fall arrest system comprising harness, lanyard and rope grab on the safety rope Correct answer.
  2. The parapet clamp
  3. The counterweight system
  4. The secondary suspension wire rope

Explanation

The fall arrest system, made up of a full body harness, lanyard and a device such as a rope grab running on the safety rope, is designed to arrest a fall. The secondary suspension rope protects the platform, not the person. Counterweights and clamps are rig components.

Question 41SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Why should the suspension wire rope and the safety rope be anchored to separate points on the roof structure?

  1. To allow the safety rope to be shorter than the suspension rope
  2. To keep the two ropes from touching the parapet
  3. To make the rig quicker to dismantle at the end of the job
  4. So that a failure at one anchorage does not remove both the platform support and the fall protection Correct answer.

Explanation

Independence of anchorage is the principle behind the safety rope: if the suspension anchorage fails, the fall arrest anchorage should remain intact. Anchoring both to the same point would allow a single failure to defeat both systems. Dismantling speed and rope length are not the governing reasons.

Question 42SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

A cradle is to be raised and lowered by winches mounted on the cradle. What is the role of the suspension wire rope in this arrangement?

  1. It is tied off at the cradle and does not reach the roof
  2. It runs through the winch and carries the cradle load while the winch climbs or descends along it Correct answer.
  3. It is used solely as the safety rope
  4. It acts only as a guide and carries no load

Explanation

In a climbing winch arrangement the suspension wire rope is anchored at the roof rig and the winch on the cradle climbs or descends along it, so the rope carries the cradle load. It is a load-bearing lifting component, not a guide. The safety rope remains a separate rope.

Question 43SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

What does the term working load limit mean when applied to a gondola suspension wire rope?

  1. The load applied during the manufacturer's proof test
  2. The load at which the rope will definitely break
  3. The weight of the empty cradle only
  4. The maximum load the rope is rated to carry in service under the specified conditions Correct answer.

Explanation

The working load limit is the maximum load the rope is rated to carry in service, derived from its breaking strength with an appropriate factor of safety. It is well below the breaking load. It is not the empty cradle weight or the proof test load.

Question 44SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Why is it important that the outrigger beam be restrained against horizontal movement as well as overturning?

  1. Horizontal movement changes the colour coding of the rig
  2. It prevents the counterweights from being weighed
  3. Horizontal movement only affects the comfort of the operatives
  4. Lateral displacement can alter the suspension geometry and load path, potentially overloading the rig or rope Correct answer.

Explanation

If the outrigger can slide or swing horizontally, the suspension rope may no longer hang vertically, changing the direction and magnitude of loads in the rig and rope. Restraint keeps the geometry as designed so the load path remains predictable. Comfort and colour coding are not safety reasons.

Question 45SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Which statement correctly distinguishes a roof rig from a parapet clamp installation?

  1. A roof rig requires no restraint because it sits on the roof
  2. A roof rig grips the parapet, while a parapet clamp sits on the roof surface
  3. A roof rig sits on the roof surface and is restrained by counterweights and tie-backs, while a parapet clamp grips the parapet itself Correct answer.
  4. Both terms describe the same device and can be used interchangeably

Explanation

A roof rig is an assembly resting on the roof, usually an outrigger beam restrained by counterweights and tie-backs. A parapet clamp is a device that grips the parapet wall to transfer load into the structure. They are different methods of fixing the suspension point.

Question 46SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

An operative in a cradle needs to move along the facade. What is the safest way to reposition the cradle horizontally?

  1. Ask a colleague on the roof to push the outrigger beam sideways
  2. Disconnect the safety rope briefly and swing the cradle across
  3. Use the cradle's designed traverse or guide system, with the rig configured to suit, following the manufacturer's instructions Correct answer.
  4. Lean out and pull on the suspension ropes by hand

Explanation

Horizontal movement should use the cradle's designed traverse or guide arrangement, with the rig set up to suit and manufacturer's instructions followed. Pulling on ropes by hand or moving the rig from the roof can change loads unpredictably. The safety rope must never be disconnected while the cradle is occupied.

Question 47SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Which combination of features best identifies a properly configured fall arrest system for work from a suspended platform?

  1. Full body harness clipped to the winch handle
  2. Full body harness, energy-absorbing lanyard, and a fall arrest device on an independent safety rope anchored above Correct answer.
  3. Safety harness stored in the cradle toolbox for emergency use
  4. Waist belt, plain lanyard, and attachment to the cradle guardrail

Explanation

A suitable system uses a full body harness and an energy-absorbing lanyard connected to a fall arrest device running on an independent safety rope anchored above the user. This limits fall distance and arrest forces while keeping the anchorage independent of the platform. Waist belts and clipping to the cradle or winch do not provide adequate protection.

Question 48SWP types, configurations and terminology (gondola, temporary suspended working platform, single/dual point suspension, roof rig, parapet clamp, counterweight, outrigger, tie-back, cradle, suspension wire rope, safety rope, fall arrest system)

Why is the inboard length of an outrigger beam and the position of its counterweights significant?

  1. They set the resisting moment available to balance the outboard suspension load Correct answer.
  2. They determine the length of the safety rope
  3. They control the speed of the winch
  4. They determine the beam's colour and identification number

Explanation

The resisting moment depends on the counterweight mass and its distance from the fulcrum, so the inboard length and counterweight position are part of the rig design. Moving counterweights inboard or outboard changes the balance. Colour coding, winch speed and safety rope length are unrelated.

Question 49Pre-use inspection and daily checks (wire rope condition and termination, rig, counterweights, anchors, hoist and brake function, electrical supply, control pendants, limiters, guardrails, toe boards, platform floor, nameplate and load rating)

During the pre-use inspection of a suspended working platform, what is the primary purpose of checking the wire rope termination at the drum and at the platform?

  1. To measure the exact diameter of the rope along its full working length
  2. To record the rope manufacturer's production batch number for the log
  3. To confirm the rope is correctly secured so load transfer to the structure is reliable Correct answer.
  4. To verify the rope lubricant has been applied within the last week

Explanation

Terminations transfer the whole platform load into the suspension system, so a pre-use check confirms the rope ends are properly secured, with correct fittings and no slippage or distortion. Diameter measurement and lubrication are separate checks and do not substitute for confirming termination integrity.

Question 50Pre-use inspection and daily checks (wire rope condition and termination, rig, counterweights, anchors, hoist and brake function, electrical supply, control pendants, limiters, guardrails, toe boards, platform floor, nameplate and load rating)

A gondola operator finds a broken wire protruding from the suspension rope during the daily check. What is the correct immediate action?

  1. Report it and place the platform out of service pending assessment Correct answer.
  2. Wrap the area with tape and reduce the rated load by half
  3. Continue working but re-inspect the same spot at the next break
  4. Cut the protruding wire flush and continue the shift

Explanation

Broken wires are a recognised rope-deterioration defect, and the platform must be taken out of service until a competent person assesses the rope against the discard criteria. Operators must never trim, tape over, or work around a damaged suspension rope.