According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 865 workers died from falls, slips, and trips in 2022, and an additional 450,540 were injured in work-related falls between 2021 and 2022. In fact, the construction industry is one of the most at-risk sectors for slip, trip, and fall incidents, with just a little over 1,000 fatal accidents occurring in 2022 (a 7% increase since 2021). Additionally, among OSHA’s top 10 most frequently cited standards are fall protection for construction (29 CFR 1926.501) and fall protection training for construction workers (29 CFR 1926.102), with the former being the most frequently cited standard.
The frequency of these types of incidents and violations is why it’s so important to ensure you schedule training for your employees. Fall protection training not only helps ensure workplace safety but also reduces the risk of strict penalties, including $10,000-plus fines and potential imprisonment.
OSHA’s Fall Protection Training Standard
OSHA has many fall protection standards for the construction industry and non-construction sectors.
For the construction sector, OSHA’s training standard is as follows:
- Employers must develop and implement a training program for each employee who might be exposed to hazards. This training must be conducted by a competent person qualified in fall protection.
- The training must cover: 1) how to identify fall hazards in the work area, 2) proper procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting fall protection systems, 3) how to correctly use and operate guardrail systems, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, and other protection methods, 4) each employee’s roles in the fall protection plan, 5) limitations, proper handling, and storage for fall protection equipment, and 6) the requirements of OSHA’s fall protection regulations (Subpart M).
- Employers must prepare a written certification record for each trained employee. The record should include the employee’s name, the date they were trained, and the signature of the trainer or employer.
- Employers should retrain employees if a) changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete, b) a new fall protection system or piece of equipment is introduced, and c) there is clear evidence of an employee’s lack of understanding or skill in using fall protection systems.
The Four Levels of Fall Protection Training
The four levels of fall protection training are:
- Awareness: This training provides basic knowledge on fall hazards and general safety practices and is designed for employees who may be exposed to these hazards but don’t directly work at heights or use fall protection equipment.
- Authorized User: This level refers to an employee assigned by the employer to perform duties in areas where fall protection is required. The training covers how to recognize fall hazards, use, inspect, maintain, and store fall protection equipment, and erect, maintain, and disassemble fall protection systems.
- Competent Person: According to OSHA, a competent person is “capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are hazardous or dangerous to employees and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.” A competent person will have extensive experience and training in recognizing fall hazards and how to use fall protection systems and has the authority within the workplace to take immediate action when there is a safety issue on-site.
- Qualified Person: A qualified person is the most experienced person in identifying fall hazards and using fall protection equipment and systems. They will usually also have advanced education or credentials in engineering and/or safety, and specialized expertise in designing, analyzing, and evaluating fall protection systems, and help implement fall protection systems within the workplace.
Where to Schedule Fall Protection Training
There are many qualified trainers who can create and execute a fall protection training program for your employees, including Archview Services.
Our program is specifically intended for competent person training and is designed to provide hands-on experience. Our program is conducted directly on-site at your facility. However, virtual sessions are available, depending on the topic. You can also schedule it any time of the year, although many companies tend to schedule fall protection training during the off-season from November to March.
What to Expect From Our Program
Our 16-hour Competent Person Training Course combines hands-on experience with classroom instruction. It is taught by a qualified person with extensive knowledge of OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Subpart D and 29 CFR 1926 Construction Subpart M on Walking/Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Regulations. Our program is entirely customized based on your company’s needs and can be designed for one person or an entire group.
Course Overview
The course is split into two parts: lower-level fall and same-level fall. Both parts cover identifying, evaluating, preventing, and controlling fall hazards in construction and similar industries to provide a well-rounded overview of what to expect on a job site and how to remain safe from fall dangers. After hands-on training, the course concludes with a final exam.
Among the topics our instructors will cover in training include:
- How to apply workplace safety standards to fall protection.
- How to use a full-body harness.
- How to use suspension trauma straps.
- How to identify fall hazards.
- How to recognize incompatible connections.
Upon completing the course and passing the exam, attendees will receive a Competent Person Certification. Fall protection certification is valid for up to two years before renewal is necessary.
Lower-Level Fall
This section of our program covers industry fall protection regulations for lower-level falls, hazard identification, and safe work practices that should be applied when workers use portable ladders and mobile stands or when working on stairways and any other elevated surface.
Same-Level Fall
This section of the course will cover how to best avoid same-level falls, which are defined as slips, trips, and falls that occur at the same level the worker is on. These falls often happen on flat surfaces, stairs, or ramps and may be caused by a variety of factors, from poor lighting to uneven ground to obstructed views.
Schedule Training for Your Workplace Today
Archview Services specializes in helping businesses throughout the Midwest remain compliant with federal and industry regulations through extensive safety training and consulting services, including fall protection training, rigging and signaling safety training, and scaffolding user courses. We also sell and lease products to help keep job sites safe, including fall protection systems.
If you’re interested in scheduling a training session for your employees, contact one of our specialists at Archview Services today at (314) 998-4505.