Any U.S. construction site involving work at height has a fall protection “Competent Person” as an essential team member always at hand. For these individuals, OSHA mandates Competent Person training for elevated worksites in construction outlined in CFR 1926.503. This OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course is designed for individuals in the construction industry, seeking certification for work in compliance with OSHA regulations.
Falls are a leading cause of death in the construction industry. According to statistics, falls account for one-third of all fatalities in the construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 805 workers died from slips, trips, and falls in 20201. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) in its May 2022 Data Bulletin reported an annual average of 376 fatal injuries from falls, slips, and trips and 22,900 nonfatal injuries between 2018 and 2020 in the construction industry in the United States2. Many of these falls were from roofs, scaffolds, and ladders.
1.Source: 2024 U.S. A look at falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry. BLS. https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/a-look-at-falls-slips-and-trips-in-the-construction-industry.htm
2.Source: 2023 CPWR. Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries in Construction. https://www.cpwr.com/research/data-center/data-dashboards/fatal-and-nonfatal-injuries-in-construction/
Managers, supervisors, and workers whose jobs require them to work on overhead platforms or elevated workstations such as scaffolding, roofs, or ladders should be given adequate training to understand the risk factors that contribute to falls and the preventive measures to ensure safety when working at heights.
What are the Components of this OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training?
This OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training equips participants to manage comprehensive fall safety programs at their construction sites. The curriculum covers:
- Theory: OSHA regulations, hazard identification, and fall protection principles systems and equipment.
- Application: Fall protection plan development, gear selection, use and inspection, fall rescue scenarios, and emergency procedure development.
Who is this OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training Designed For?
Construction professionals in the following roles should consider Competent Person training:
- Foreman,
- Site Inspectors,
- Manager,
- Supervisor,
- Carpenter,
- Scaffold erector, or
- Steelworker.
Tower climbers and technicians need fall protection Competent Person training in addition to rescue training to work safely at height, especially given the extremes they often face.
Some of the benefits of HAZWOPER OSHA Online Training
You can take the final exam once you complete the required study time. Upon passing the final exam, you will receive an electronic OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training certificate of course completion which will be emailed to you immediately.
- Our online support is available 24/7, 365-days a year.
- Our telephone support is available Monday to Saturday 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Pacific time).
Please reach us via:
- Email: info@HAZWOPER-OSHA.com
- Toll-free: (866) 429-6742
- Local: (310) 498-0546
Our interactive OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course adds more value for the learner by creating a two-way dialogue and enabling a personalized, user-focused experience from start to finish. We periodically update content and add new videos, graphics, and animations to make the user experience interesting, informative, and enjoyable while keeping the safety training course content fresh and as dynamic as possible.
This OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course for construction workers is fully narrated, providing learners with comprehensive audio guidance throughout the entire course.
You can click here to view a demo.
This OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course is taken entirely online. The material can be accessed anywhere, anytime from a computer, iPad®, iPhone®, or an Android® device of your choice. All you need is a fast internet connection and access to a web browser. All our training courses are built using HTML 5, making it more compatible with the browser on your smartphone or another mobile device such as a tablet.
Our cloud-based learning management system (LMS) tracks your progress, which means you can seamlessly switch between different devices during your OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training without losing any progress. This means you can stop training in the middle of a lesson on your iPad and resume your OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training on your iPhone without missing a step.
As our safety training courses are self-paced, you can complete OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training at your convenience, moving through training content as quickly or slowly as you like.
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The core objective of the OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course is to familiarize learners with the pertinent elements of OSHA’s fall protection standard for the construction industry outlined in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M, develop an understanding of the various available fall protection systems, and acquaint them with the safe work practices for using these systems safely and effectively.
Course Objectives – OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training
After completing the course, the learner will be able to:
- Recognize typical fall hazards encountered in high-rise and construction sites.
- Explain OSHA standards 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M relevant to fall protection.
- Comprehend the responsibilities of a competent person for fall protection.
- Document and maintain a Fall Protection Plan (FFP).
- Calculate the total fall clearance distance for a personal fall arrest system.
- Understand the purpose and appropriate use of guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).
- Demonstrate correct selection, fitting, and inspection of PFAS components, including harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points.
- Identify fall prevention requirements and safe practices specific to scaffolding and ladder use on construction sites.
- Understand criteria for secure anchor points and assess their suitability based on job requirements.
- Formulate fall rescue plans, including suspension trauma awareness and emergency response procedures.
- Perform hazard assessments to identify and control potential fall hazards on site.
- Perform pre-use and routine inspections of fall prevention equipment and follow proper maintenance procedures.
- Implement hazard prevention methods and proper safety practices to maintain a fall-prevention-compliant work environment.
- Understand the importance of maintaining clean, clutter-free work areas to reduce tripping hazards and improve overall site safety.
- Understand the importance of pre-operation inspection of aerial lift components in terms of worker safety.
OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training Syllabus
This OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course consists of 17 lessons categorized under 5 modules. Students are required to take each lesson in sequential order as listed below.
OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training: Introduction
Module 1: Introduction to Fall Hazards and Regulatory Standards
This module provides a foundational understanding of fall hazards and the regulatory standards to prevent them. The focus will be to explore statistics on construction falls, highlight the critical role of a Competent Person in fall prevention, and examine the science of falls to understand the physics behind fall-related injuries. By the end of this module, you will have a clear picture of why fall prevention is essential and the regulations in place to safeguard workers.
- Lesson 1: History of Falls
- Lesson 2: Regulations and Statistics on Falls in Construction
- Lesson 3: The Fall Protection Plan
- Lesson 4: Competent Persons for Fall Prevention
- Lesson 5: Science of Falls
Module 2: Identifying and Understanding Fall Hazards
In this module, we will cover the types of fall hazards specific to construction environments, including falls from elevated surfaces, falls to the same level, and risks of being struck by falling objects. Through a detailed look at these hazards, the focus will be to recognize and evaluate fall risks effectively. Understanding these hazards is the first step toward implementing effective safety practices on any job site.
- Lesson 6: Fall Hazards in Construction
- Lesson 7: Falls to Same Level in Construction
- Lesson 8: Falls to Below in Construction
- Lesson 9: Falls in Confined Spaces
- Lesson 10: Struck-by Falling Objects in Construction
Module 3: Types of Fall Prevention Systems
This module introduces the types of fall prevention systems used in construction, such as guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems. The focus will be to cover hazard controls specific to various fall situations, including falls to the same level, falls from heights, and struck-by hazards. By learning how each system works and when to use it, you will be better equipped to select and implement the appropriate fall prevention for different job scenarios.
- Lesson 11: Types of Fall Prevention Systems
- Lesson 12: Fall Hazard Controls (Part I)
- Lesson 13: Fall Hazard Controls (Part II)
- Lesson 14: Fall Hazard Controls (Part III)
Module 4: Advanced Fall Prevention Systems and Rescue Planning
In this module, the focus will be to examine additional fall prevention systems that offer heightened safety under specific conditions. Additionally, we will focus on creating and implementing effective rescue plans, an essential part of fall prevention that prepares teams for prompt and safe rescue in the event of a fall. This module will provide the knowledge to establish a thorough fall prevention program, including emergency response readiness.
- Lesson 15: Additional Systems for Fall Prevention in Construction
- Lesson 16: Rescue Plan for Fall Prevention
Module 5: Assessment and Practical Application
This final module will assess knowledge and practical skills through a fall prevention task safety considerations. This practical approach ensures that trainees understand fall prevention concepts and will apply them confidently in the field. By completing this module, you will be able to demonstrate your competency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating fall risks on construction sites.
- Lesson 17: Fall Prevention Task Safety Considerations
Final Examination
This OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course is designed by OSHA Certified Outreach Trainers and is updated and reviewed as new requirements or regulations are issued by OSHA, the EPA, the DOL, and other regulatory authorities, as relevant. The OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course meets and exceeds the compliance requirements of OSHA’s Fall Protection Standard for the Construction Industry, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M.
OSHA Safety Training Certification
Once the OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course is completed, you will immediately be able to download, save, or print your Course Completion Certificate in PDF format.
Training Requirements
There are no prerequisites for this OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course.
IACET-Accredited Trainer
The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) originated the Continuing Education Unit (CEU). IACET ensures that continuing education and training providers uphold high-quality standards by adhering to the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training through a rigorous accreditation process.
HAZWOPER OSHA Training LLC, provider No. #5660391-1, is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). We adhere to the globally recognized ANSI/IACET Standard for excellence in instructional practices. This accreditation enables HAZWOPER OSHA Training to issue the IACET CEU, validating the quality of our educational offerings.
Those enrolled in this OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training Course will receive 0.8 CEUs.
A Final Note
It is important to remember that attending a training course on its own will not make a worker competent. Competence is developed over time by implementing the knowledge acquired through a training course to on-the-job work processes. Therefore, in addition to this online course, you must receive additional on-site training from your employer.
As an employer, do you want to train your employees as a team? Do your employees want to learn from a qualified instructor?
HAZWOPER OSHA offers customized group instructor-led training (ILT). We facilitate virtual training for groups of all sizes, led by OSHA-authorized trainers who guide individuals through the key topics of the OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training as per 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M regulations.
We can customize this OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course with your workplace-specific requirements so you can quickly and easily meet your workplace safety and health training goals.
Instructor-Led Training
Rates for the ILT course depends on the number of participants and changes required (if any) to the course content.
Email (info@hazwoper-osha.com) or call (1-866-429-6742) us with the:
- Course(s) of your choice,
- Preferred date for scheduling the training, and
- Number of employees expected to be trained.
To learn more about group instructor-led training, click here.
We will get you a quote within 24 Hours!
In-Person Group Training
- Course(s) of your choice,
- Preferred date(s) for the training,
- Location for the training, and
- Number of expected participants.
For more information about in-person on-site safety training, click here.
We will get you a quote within 24 Hours!
‘Large corporations often operate and manage in-house learning management systems (LMS).’
We understand this statement and are ready to support employers in fulfilling their safety training goals by providing you with SCORM 1.2 or SCORM 2004 compatible safety training course files.
If you are in search of SCORM-compliant safety training courses developed in compliance with OSHA, HAZWOPER, NFPA 70E, DOT Hazmat, and RCRA safety regulations, then you are at the right place!
As experts in the field of safety training, we at HAZWOPER OSHA Training are aware of the various methods employers use to train their employees. Therefore, we are prepared to develop customized SCORM packages to suit your organization’s safety training needs. As such, we can convert this online OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course into a SCORM package to enable you to train your employees using your company’s LMS, making training accessible and hassle-free.
For information on rates, email (info@hazwoper-osha.com) or call (1-866-429-6742) us, and we will get you a quote within 24 Hours!
To learn more about SCORM Packages, click here.
OSHA mandates a Competent Person on-site to manage fall protection. This individual must identify hazards, implement corrective actions, and ensure compliance. Fall protection training fulfills this requirement, helping organizations avoid penalties and shutdowns while empowering workers to manage risks, inspect equipment, and implement safety measures, ultimately preventing falls and promoting a safety-conscious environment. This OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course is important because it:
- Equips you with knowledge and skills to prevent falls, a leading cause of construction injuries and fatalities.
- Covers OSHA standards for fall prevention compliance.
- Trains workers to recognize fall hazards and assess risk effectively.
- Teaches proper selection and use of fall prevention systems (e.g., harnesses, guardrails).
- Promotes safe practices to reduce accidents and enhance job site safety.
- Supports a culture of safety in a high-risk construction industry.
While OSHA does not specify a fixed expiration date for Competent Person for Fall Protection training, it is important to remember that because fall protection practices and regulations can change, it is essential to keep your knowledge up-to-date. Retraining is also required in instances where fall protection systems or equipment in the workplace have changed, or an employee shows incompetence in implementing fall protection measures.
Some states with OSHA state plans may have more stringent re-training or refresher training requirements. Please check with the relevant state authorities or your employer for specific details.
OSHA and ANSI recommends refresher training every 2 years. You can take our OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Refresher Training to meet this requirement.
- Site Safety Managers
- Site Safety Coordinators
- Construction Superintendents
- Competent Persons
- Concrete Safety Managers
- Journeypersons
- Forepersons
