Fall Protection Instructor Training

Falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities in construction and one of the top causes of injuries in all industries, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M is a rule that mandates employees be trained on procedures, methods of hazard control, fall protection systems and industry or company-specific requirements. Many companies designate certain employees to train as fall protection safety instructors.

Objective

• Fall protection concepts and equipment can be complex and requirements vary by industry, which is why fall protection training is important. The objective of any fall protection instructor training program is to mitigate risk of workplace falls by teaching employees how to recognize hazards and how to use safety equipment properly.

Benefits

• Fall protection instructor training allows companies to send one or more individuals to a training facility, or bring fall protection safety professionals to a common site. The individuals learn advanced fall protection concepts and techniques, then relay the information back to other employees. This can be more cost- and time-effective for employers who may not be able to send all employees to a training location.

Programs

• Bianchi Group, Inc., offers a 16-hour fall protection instructor training class. The site can be determined by the customer. Miller by Sperian also offers a fall protection instructor training class. The 32-hour class can be taken at their Franklin, Pa., training facility, or at a site designated by the customer. The four-day class is limited to 15 participants and is geared towards supervisors, safety managers, foremen, crew chiefs and superintendents. A third option is Gravitec Systems' Fall Protection Trainer 40-hour course. The course also offers the on-site training feature. Students will take written and practical tests at the completion of the program to verify their understanding.

Coursework

• Students in a fall protection instructor program should learn two basic concepts during a training course, including effective instructional techniques and the management of a training program. Coursework covers a range of topics, including workplace hazards, application of safety and health requirements, familiarization of various fall protection devices and performing maintenance and inspections, communicating knowledge effectively, implementing and coordinating a training program, conducting evaluations and maintaining training documentation.

Considerations

• Employees who seek to become fall protection instructors should have previous fall protection training or experience. The training programs can be costly, especially if the fall protection professional travels on-site for the training. Employers should expect costs to be about $2,000 per individual.