OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training
Every construction site in the U.S. where height-related tasks are carried out must have a qualified fall protection “Competent Person” available at all times. OSHA mandates Competent Person training for elevated worksites in construction outlined in CFR 1926.503. This course is designed for individuals in the construction industry seeking certification for work in compliance with OSHA regulations.
Importance of Fall Protection
Falls are a leading cause of death in the construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 805 workers died from slips, trips, and falls in 2020. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) reported an annual average of 376 fatal injuries from falls, slips, and trips and 22,900 nonfatal injuries between 2018 and 2020. Many of these falls occurred from roofs, scaffolds, and ladders.
Managers, supervisors, and workers whose jobs require them to work on overhead platforms or elevated workstations such as scaffolding, roofs, or ladders should receive training to understand the risk factors and preventive measures to ensure safety when working at heights.
Course Components
This OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training prepares participants to oversee and implement comprehensive fall protection programs. The course covers:
- Theory: OSHA regulations, hazard identification, fall protection principles, systems, and equipment
- Application: Fall protection plan development, gear selection, use and inspection, fall rescue scenarios, and emergency procedure development
Who Should Enroll?
Construction professionals in the following roles should consider Competent Person training:
- Foreman
- Site Inspectors
- Managers
- Supervisors
- Carpenters
- Scaffold erectors
- Steelworkers
Tower climbers and technicians require fall protection Competent Person training in addition to rescue training to work safely at height, especially given the challenging conditions they often face.