Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) Practice Test

To ensure scaffold safety, which of the following is a minimum requirement for an employee to be on a moving scaffold?

1. The scaffold height-to-base ratio is 4:1

2. The scaffold height-to-base ratio is 1:1

3. The scaffold height-to-base ratio is 2:1

4. The scaffold is equipped with guardrails

The correct answer is: The scaffold height-to-base ratio is 2:1

The minimum requirement for an employee to be on a moving scaffold includes a scaffold height-to-base ratio of 2:1. This ratio is critical because it ensures stability while the scaffold is in motion. A height-to-base ratio of 2:1 means that for every 2 units of height, there should be at least 1 unit of base width. This provides sufficient support to prevent tipping or collapse while the scaffold is being moved or used. Establishing this ratio helps maintain a safe working environment by reducing the risk of instability, which can lead to serious accidents. While guardrails are important for preventing falls, they do not directly address the stability of the scaffold itself when it is in motion. Similarly, height-to-base ratios of 4:1 or 1:1 do not meet the requirement necessary for safety during movement. The 2:1 ratio strikes a balance between height and stability, ensuring that employees can work safely on a moving scaffold.