Elevated Work Platforms (EWP) Licensing Practice Exam

What personal safety equipment is advised when working over water?

1. Helmet

2. Life jacket

3. Safety harness

4. Gloves

The correct answer is: Life jacket

When working over water, wearing a life jacket is essential for personal safety. This piece of equipment provides buoyancy and helps keep an individual afloat in the event of a fall or accident. It significantly reduces the risk of drowning, especially in situations where the worker may not have the ability to swim or may be submerged quickly. Safety protocols typically require life jackets to be worn in environments where there is a risk of falling into water, as they are specifically designed to ensure survival until rescue or recovery can occur. This is particularly important while operating Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs), where a fall can happen at considerable heights over water bodies. While other safety equipment, such as helmets, safety harnesses, and gloves, serve important functions in various work environments, a life jacket directly addresses the unique hazards associated with working over water. Helmets protect the head from falling objects, safety harnesses are essential for preventing falls from heights, and gloves provide grip and hand protection. However, in the context of water safety, a life jacket stands out as the most crucial piece of personal safety equipment.