Page 1 of 41
NWSA TOWER TECHNICIAN TRAINING
LEVEL
2 (TT2) PRACTICE EXAM
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
D
O
1. A monopole tower is 150 feet tall with a base diameter of 4 feet and
N
top diameter of 2 feet. If the tower tapers uniformly, what is the
O
diameter at the midpoint height?
T
A. 2.5 feet
C
B. 3.0 feet
O
C. 3.5 feet
PY
D. 4.0 feet
Answer: B. 3.0 feet
Rationale: The diameter decreases linearly from 4 ft at base to 2 ft at top over
150 ft. At 75 ft (midpoint), the reduction is half of the total taper (2 ft /2 = 1 ft
reduction). So diameter = 4 – 1 = 3.0 feet.
2. According to FCC rules, which entity is responsible for ensuring that
RF exposure on a tower is within safe limits before workers access the
area?
A. The tower owner
B. The worker
C. The FCC field inspector
, Page 2 of 41
D. The licensee of the transmitting antenna(s)
Answer: D. The licensee of the transmitting antenna(s) Rationale: FCC
regulations require the licensee of each transmitter site to evaluate and
control RF exposure. While tower owners and climbers share responsibility
for safety, the primary legal duty to ensure compliance with RF exposure
limits rests with the license holder.
3. What is the term for the condition where a worker suspended in a
harness experiences blood pooling in the legs, leading to loss of
consciousness? A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Suspension trauma (orthostatic intolerance)
C. Harness hang syncope
D
D. Suspended immobility syndrome
O
Answer: B. Suspension trauma (orthostatic intolerance) Rationale:
N
Suspension trauma, also called orthostatic intolerance, occurs when a
motionless upright suspension leads to venous pooling, decreased cardiac
O
output, and loss of consciousness. Prompt rescue and keeping the legs moving
T
help mitigate the risk.
C
4. When climbing a guyed tower, what is the correct technique for
O
passing a guy-wire cluster while maintaining 100% fall protection?
PY
A. Unhook one lanyard, climb past, then re-hook
B. Use a Y-lanyard or double-legged lanyard with one leg always attached
C. Tie off with a rope and then unhook both lanyards D. Free-climb past the
obstruction only after notifying the ground crew
Answer: B. Use a Y-lanyard or double-legged lanyard with one leg always
attached
Rationale: 100% tie-off means never being disconnected. Using a double-
legged lanyard (or two single lanyards) allows the climber to move one leg
past the obstruction while the other remains securely anchored, maintaining
continuous fall protection.
, Page 3 of 41
5. When a load is lifted with a synthetic round sling in a basket hitch
with both legs vertical, the sling’s rated capacity is:
A. Half of the single vertical rating
B. Equal to the single vertical rating
C. Double the single vertical rating
D. Quadruple the single vertical rating
Answer: C. Double the single vertical rating
Rationale: In a basket hitch with legs vertical, the load is shared equally
between two legs, effectively doubling the capacity compared to a single
vertical hitch, provided the D/d ratio and edge protection are adequate.
However, note that any deviation from vertical will reduce capacity.
D
6. What is the maximum allowable total free-fall distance before a
O
personal fall arrest system must limit the fall arrest force to 1,800
pounds?
N
A. 2 feet
O
B. 4 feet
T
C. 6 feet
C
D. 12 feet
O
PY
Answer: C. 6 feet
Rationale: OSHA mandates that PFAS limit the maximum arresting force to
1,800 lbs for a full-body harness, and the system must be rigged such that a
worker cannot free-fall more than 6 feet (or contact a lower level).
1. Which OSHA regulation specifically governs the
telecommunications industry, including tower work?
A. 29 CFR 1910
B. 29 CFR 1926
C. 29 CFR 1915
29 CFR 1904
D.
Answer: A. 29 CFR 1910
Rationale: The telecommunications industry is covered under
, Page 4 of 41
OSHA's general industry standards, 29 CFR 1910. While 29 CFR 1926
(construction) may also apply to tower construction, the ongoing
maintenance and operations on towers fall under 1910, and NWSA TT2
emphasizes the applicable general industry regulations.
2. According to ANSI/ASSE Z359.2, what is the minimum fall clearance
required for a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) using a 6-foot shock-
absorbing lanyard and a full-body harness, considering harness
stretch, lanyard deployment, and a safety factor?
A. 10 feet
B. 12.5 feet
C. 17.5 feet
25 feet
D
D.
O
Answer: C. 17.5 feet
Rationale: Typical calculation: 6 ft lanyard length + 3.5 ft maximum
N
deployment + 5 ft harness stretch/worker height + 2 ft safety factor + 1 ft D-
O
ring slide ≈ 17.5 ft total clearance. This minimum ensures the worker does not
T
strike the next lower level or ground.
C
3. What is the primary purpose of a positioning lanyard used on a tower?
O
A. Fall arrest
PY
B. Work positioning only
C. Restraint to prevent reaching an edge
D. Backup for the main fall arrest line
Answer: B. Work positioning only
Rationale: A positioning lanyard holds the worker in place at a work
location, allowing hands-free work. It is not designed for fall arrest; a
separate fall arrest system must always be used when at height on a tower.
4. A capstan hoist is used to lift a 200-lb load vertically. If the hoist line
makes a 180-degree wrap around the capstan with a coefficient of
friction of 0.3, what is the minimum pull force required on the free
end to hold the load? (Use the capstan
NWSA TOWER TECHNICIAN TRAINING
LEVEL
2 (TT2) PRACTICE EXAM
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
D
O
1. A monopole tower is 150 feet tall with a base diameter of 4 feet and
N
top diameter of 2 feet. If the tower tapers uniformly, what is the
O
diameter at the midpoint height?
T
A. 2.5 feet
C
B. 3.0 feet
O
C. 3.5 feet
PY
D. 4.0 feet
Answer: B. 3.0 feet
Rationale: The diameter decreases linearly from 4 ft at base to 2 ft at top over
150 ft. At 75 ft (midpoint), the reduction is half of the total taper (2 ft /2 = 1 ft
reduction). So diameter = 4 – 1 = 3.0 feet.
2. According to FCC rules, which entity is responsible for ensuring that
RF exposure on a tower is within safe limits before workers access the
area?
A. The tower owner
B. The worker
C. The FCC field inspector
, Page 2 of 41
D. The licensee of the transmitting antenna(s)
Answer: D. The licensee of the transmitting antenna(s) Rationale: FCC
regulations require the licensee of each transmitter site to evaluate and
control RF exposure. While tower owners and climbers share responsibility
for safety, the primary legal duty to ensure compliance with RF exposure
limits rests with the license holder.
3. What is the term for the condition where a worker suspended in a
harness experiences blood pooling in the legs, leading to loss of
consciousness? A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Suspension trauma (orthostatic intolerance)
C. Harness hang syncope
D
D. Suspended immobility syndrome
O
Answer: B. Suspension trauma (orthostatic intolerance) Rationale:
N
Suspension trauma, also called orthostatic intolerance, occurs when a
motionless upright suspension leads to venous pooling, decreased cardiac
O
output, and loss of consciousness. Prompt rescue and keeping the legs moving
T
help mitigate the risk.
C
4. When climbing a guyed tower, what is the correct technique for
O
passing a guy-wire cluster while maintaining 100% fall protection?
PY
A. Unhook one lanyard, climb past, then re-hook
B. Use a Y-lanyard or double-legged lanyard with one leg always attached
C. Tie off with a rope and then unhook both lanyards D. Free-climb past the
obstruction only after notifying the ground crew
Answer: B. Use a Y-lanyard or double-legged lanyard with one leg always
attached
Rationale: 100% tie-off means never being disconnected. Using a double-
legged lanyard (or two single lanyards) allows the climber to move one leg
past the obstruction while the other remains securely anchored, maintaining
continuous fall protection.
, Page 3 of 41
5. When a load is lifted with a synthetic round sling in a basket hitch
with both legs vertical, the sling’s rated capacity is:
A. Half of the single vertical rating
B. Equal to the single vertical rating
C. Double the single vertical rating
D. Quadruple the single vertical rating
Answer: C. Double the single vertical rating
Rationale: In a basket hitch with legs vertical, the load is shared equally
between two legs, effectively doubling the capacity compared to a single
vertical hitch, provided the D/d ratio and edge protection are adequate.
However, note that any deviation from vertical will reduce capacity.
D
6. What is the maximum allowable total free-fall distance before a
O
personal fall arrest system must limit the fall arrest force to 1,800
pounds?
N
A. 2 feet
O
B. 4 feet
T
C. 6 feet
C
D. 12 feet
O
PY
Answer: C. 6 feet
Rationale: OSHA mandates that PFAS limit the maximum arresting force to
1,800 lbs for a full-body harness, and the system must be rigged such that a
worker cannot free-fall more than 6 feet (or contact a lower level).
1. Which OSHA regulation specifically governs the
telecommunications industry, including tower work?
A. 29 CFR 1910
B. 29 CFR 1926
C. 29 CFR 1915
29 CFR 1904
D.
Answer: A. 29 CFR 1910
Rationale: The telecommunications industry is covered under
, Page 4 of 41
OSHA's general industry standards, 29 CFR 1910. While 29 CFR 1926
(construction) may also apply to tower construction, the ongoing
maintenance and operations on towers fall under 1910, and NWSA TT2
emphasizes the applicable general industry regulations.
2. According to ANSI/ASSE Z359.2, what is the minimum fall clearance
required for a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) using a 6-foot shock-
absorbing lanyard and a full-body harness, considering harness
stretch, lanyard deployment, and a safety factor?
A. 10 feet
B. 12.5 feet
C. 17.5 feet
25 feet
D
D.
O
Answer: C. 17.5 feet
Rationale: Typical calculation: 6 ft lanyard length + 3.5 ft maximum
N
deployment + 5 ft harness stretch/worker height + 2 ft safety factor + 1 ft D-
O
ring slide ≈ 17.5 ft total clearance. This minimum ensures the worker does not
T
strike the next lower level or ground.
C
3. What is the primary purpose of a positioning lanyard used on a tower?
O
A. Fall arrest
PY
B. Work positioning only
C. Restraint to prevent reaching an edge
D. Backup for the main fall arrest line
Answer: B. Work positioning only
Rationale: A positioning lanyard holds the worker in place at a work
location, allowing hands-free work. It is not designed for fall arrest; a
separate fall arrest system must always be used when at height on a tower.
4. A capstan hoist is used to lift a 200-lb load vertically. If the hoist line
makes a 180-degree wrap around the capstan with a coefficient of
friction of 0.3, what is the minimum pull force required on the free
end to hold the load? (Use the capstan
