This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
ISHN logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ISHN logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Archives
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Environment
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Government Regulations
    • Health
    • Industrial Hygiene
    • Occupational Safety
    • PPE
    • Product Case Studies
    • Psychology
    • Safety Culture
    • Training
    • Transportation Safety
    • More Topics
  • Construction
  • Oil & Gas
  • Columns
    • Editorial Comments
    • Best Practices
    • Positive Cultures
    • Training Strategies
    • Closing Time
    • FR Protection
    • Thought Leadership
  • Products
  • Conventions
    • Convention Companion
  • Multimedia
    • eBooks
    • Infographics
    • Photo Galleries
    • ISHN Podcasts
    • Your Digital Mentor Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • ISHN YouTube Videos
  • More
    • Awards
      • 2020 Readers' Choice Awards- Submit Products
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
    • ISHN Store
    • Product Case Studies
    • Product Innovations
    • Showrooms
    • Vendor News
  • Advertise
    • Contact
Home » How good is your fall protection training?
Best PracticesGovernment RegulationsHuman & Organizational PerformanceOccupational SafetyPPERisk Management

How good is your fall protection training?

Close the gap

How good is your fall protection training?
December 4, 2019
Pat Furr
KEYWORDS Fall Protection / fall protection equipment / fall protection training / OSHA fall prevention / safety training / work at height
Reprints

Imagine that on the first day at your new job, the foreman tosses you a harness and a 6-foot lanyard and says, “Be careful out there!” That may seem like an extreme example of a woefully inadequate fall protection training program, but I will bet dollars to donuts it happens more often than we think.

This article can serve as a roadmap for employers to identify and close gaps in their fall protection training programs so that any work-at-height can be done safely.

Why is training so important?

Falls continue to be a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. In the construction industry, falls account for close to 40 percent of workplace fatalities. Falls are also a leading contributor to injuries and fatalities in general industry, second only to motor vehicle accidents. Many failures can be cited for these high rates: poor housekeeping, inadequate equipment or fall protection systems, failure to consider the hierarchy of fall protection, and many others. A substantial number of these incidents could be prevented with proper comprehensive training.

Training sends a message that safety is a priority, which is not only ethical but also is good for your business because it will make hiring and retention easier and it will reduce risk exposure from fines and litigation.

Who should provide the training?

OSHA 1910.30 is very clear that authorized persons need to receive training from a qualified person. Let’s review what this means.

“Authorized person means a person approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location or locations at the jobsite.

Qualified describes a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.”

What should be addressed in the training?

It need not be overly complex or theoretical; the training must cover at a minimum the nature of fall hazards in the work area, and how to recognize them. This goes well beyond knowing the height thresholds of 4 feet for general industry and 6 feet for construction. It must address falls onto dangerous or impaling equipment or into hazards that may engulf. There are many myths regarding fall protection, and it would be wise to dispel those as part of the training.

Use hierarchy of fall protection

The training must include procedures to minimize fall hazards. This is where the hierarchy of fall protection takes center stage. Too many employers jump right to active fall arrest or restraint systems before considering if they can engineer out the hazard by performing the work from the ground or bringing the work to the ground. If that is not feasible, the next step would be to use passive fall restraint such as guardrails, parapets, or walls. These measures require very little training and protect a large segment of the workforce while allowing maximum mobility.

If active fall protection must be used, authorized persons must be trained to properly install, inspect, operate, maintain, and disassemble that equipment or system. Additionally, authorized persons must be trained to select the proper system depending on the nature of the fall hazard. If clearance from the work surface to the lower level is not enough to use a 6-foot energy-absorbing lanyard, the user must know that a self-retracting lifeline is needed to ensure they do not contact the lower level. If swing fall is present, especially if it is across an abrasive leading edge, wire rope would be needed instead of a nylon lanyard. The training should address the specific conditions present in the workplace.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions

Some of us (myself included) consider it a badge of honor to be able to assemble that new desk without referring to the supplied instructions. How hard can it be to figure out that tab A goes into slot D? We may end up with a desk that is unstable, can’t be used as intended and breaks easily. But it’s just a desk! Those same repercussions apply to the human physical body when safety equipment instructions are disregarded.

Typically, the manufacturer’s instructions for use will include “need to know” information such as compatibility of attachments, proper fitting, anchor requirements, inspection, storage, clearance requirements, and much more. This is why it is important for the qualified person to have a listing of all the fall protection equipment and systems used on the jobsite, and to be well versed on the manufacturer’s instruction for use for every item.

Get to know learning styles

Training can be presented in many formats, with or without measurements, but it must be comprehensible by all authorized persons. Training is rarely a “one and done” matter. We all learn through repetition and re-training may be necessary for several reasons.

My experience tells me that the quality and degree of fall protection training from employer to employer spans a wide spectrum. Take the time to evaluate where your training falls on that spectrum. Hopefully, this article can serve as a resource for that evaluation and for taking action to make improvements. Building a culture of safety is not easy, but it will help you recruit and retain employees, and it will protect your business from liability and make it more profitable.

And it is the right thing to do.

Subscribe to ISHN Magazine

Recent Articles by Pat Furr

Assessing the “ins and outs” of confined spaces

Protecting workers at height from gravity’s pull is never-ending

Confined spaces demand caution

Who is your fall protection MVP?

Patrick Furr, employed with Roco Rescue since 2000, has been actively involved with technical rescue since 1981. He is a Roco Chief Instructor as well as a Team Leader for on-site safety services in New Mexico. Pat teaches Confined Space Rescue, Rope Access, Tower Work/Rescue and Fall Protection programs across North America. He is a retired U.S. Air Force MSgt/Pararescueman. Visit www.rocorescue.com to view and download “Hierarchy of Fall Protection” and “Suspension Trauma” safety posters, as well as Fall Hazard Survey Report and Fallen Worker Rescue Pre-Plan templates.

Related Articles

Who is your fall protection MVP?

Protecting workers at height from gravity’s pull is never-ending

Fall hazards “walkabout”

Subscribe For Free!
  • Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • ISHN eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Today's News

2 young part-time UPS workers killed in California

incident investigation

How to investigate a worksite incident

ambulance

Buffalo Wild Wings manager dies after exposure to toxic cleaning product fumes

house

Potted plants are irrelevant to indoor air quality

Tesla

Report finds worker injuries are “routine” at Tesla’s Nevada plant

ISHN Readers' Choice Awards 2020 product submissions


Events

March 7, 2019

Safety and Wellness: The Combination that Drives Engagement and Profitability

On Demand Attend this webinar for the keys to success, as well as mistakes to avoid, when targeting safety and wellness with a Recognition & Reward Program.

View All Submit An Event

ISHN Podcasts


ISHN Podcasts

ISHN Magazine

ISHN1219_cover.jpg

2019 December

Among the articles in the December 2019 issue of ISHN Magazine, we have expert insight on selecting the right respirator, a link to the 2020 Buyers’ & Resource Guide, 10 safety mistakes that can land you in a courtroom, and much more.
View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • List Rental
    • Safety A-Z
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Web Exclusives
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More
    • Connect
    • Subscribe
    • Survey And Sample

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing