When is a safety harness required to be worn?

• A. Never
• B. When working aloft over the side of the ship
• C. During routine deck tasks
• D. Only in confined spaces

Answer: (B)

Falling from height or over the ship’s side is the risk this question targets. A safety harness is required whenever you’re working aloft over the side, because being secured to an approved anchor point prevents a fall into the water or onto lower deck. This is the situation where fall protection is essential, so wearing the harness in that scenario is the best practice. The other options imply no fall risk in those situations, which isn’t accurate; routine deck tasks are generally performed at or near the deck level and don’t automatically require a harness unless the work brings you to height or near an edge. Confined spaces have their own hazards, and harness use depends on whether a fall risk exists inside the space. Always use a harness when there is exposure to falling from height.