Two workers are performing maintenance from a telehandler personnel basket at a height of 8 metres. One worker's lanyard gets snagged, preventing full arm extension to reach a critical component. How should this situation be handled according to best safety practices?

Question: Two workers are performing maintenance from a telehandler personnel basket at a height of 8 metres. One worker's lanyard gets snagged, preventing full arm extension to reach a critical component. How should this situation be handled according to best safety practices?

Answer options:

• The operator should slightly lower the basket to free the lanyard without fully bringing it down.
• The worker should attempt to lean out of the basket to free the lanyard. ✅ The work task should be paused, the basket lowered safely, the lanyard re-positioned, and then the task resumed.
• The other worker should try to unhook the snagged lanyard by hand-reaching.

Correct answer: The work task should be paused, the basket lowered safely, the lanyard re-positioned, and then the task resumed.

Explanation: Any issue with fall arrest equipment, such as a snagged lanyard, requires immediate attention to prevent potential free-fall or restricted movement. The safest procedure is to pause the elevated work, lower the platform completely, rectify the issue with the lanyard while on the ground, and then re-elevate to resume work. Attempting to free a snagged lanyard while elevated, either by leaning out or partially lowering the platform, introduces additional hazards and is not recommended.