Question 1

A worker on a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) loses footing on a wet scaffold platform and the SRL successfully arrests the fall after about 30cm. The worker is conscious, talking, and hanging in the harness, but the rescue team is still finalising their plan.

What is the priority?

Accepted Answer

Execute the rescue plan immediately - suspension trauma can develop within 15-20 minutes even in a conscious casualty Suspension trauma can progress rapidly and a casualty who initially seems fine can deteriorate quickly. The rescue clock starts at the moment of the fall, not when symptoms appear.

Question 2

A bosun has rigged a bosun's chair for a quick five-minute job inspecting a navigation light bracket on the foremast. He decides not to load test the chair since the job is short.

What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Stop the job; the chair, gantlines and lizards must be load tested to at least 4x working load every time it is rigged, regardless of job duration COSWP does not provide a duration-based exemption. The risk of chair, hook, or shackle failure exists independent of how long the worker will be aloft.

Question 3

While a crew member is working overside on a painting raft, the deck observer is also asked by the duty officer to relieve the gangway watch for ten minutes.

What should happen?

Accepted Answer

Overside work must be suspended until a dedicated observer with no other duties is available Dedicated, undistracted observation is a key control. If a fall or man-overboard situation occurs and there is no one watching, the rescue window is lost.