A safety harness must be worn when performing which activity?

• A. When working aloft over the side of the ship
• B. When standing on deck in calm weather
• C. When cleaning the hull from water level
• D. When entering cargo holds

Answer: (A)

Fall protection is required whenever there is a risk of falling from height or over the side of a vessel. A safety harness is worn to arrest a fall and keep you connected to a secure lifeline, preventing a plunge into the water. Working aloft over the side presents a real fall hazard, so the harness is essential in that situation. Standing on deck in calm weather is a stable condition with minimal fall risk, so a harness isn’t normally required there. Cleaning the hull from water level also keeps you near the deck, where there isn’t a fall from height involved. Entering cargo holds involves other hazards like confined-space risks; a harness may be used if fall protection is mandated by the task, but the key point for this question is that being aloft over the side requires a harness.