When working bitts under a load, safety observers should ensure linehandlers stand a minimum of

• A. Three feet
• B. Six feet
• C. Ten feet
• D. Eight feet

Answer: (B)

Maintain a safe distance from a line under load to avoid injury from line movement. When a line is under tension around bitts, a sudden release, a parting, or the load shifting can cause the line to whip back or swing toward nearby personnel. Keeping at least six feet away creates a protective buffer so you’re less likely to be struck by the line or by the load if something moves unexpectedly. It also gives the safety observer room to see the operation clearly and issue commands if anything looks off. So, the standard minimum distance to stand is six feet.