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Personal Fall Protection Training

The Occupational Safety and Health Association reports that occupational fatalities caused by falls are a serious public health problem. In 2007, there were 847 fatal falls, according to OSHA. Any time an employee is at a height of more than four feet, the employee needs some form of fall protection. Training in the proper use of protective devices is essential in maintaining a safe working environment.

  1. Objective

    • The objective of any type of personal fall protection equipment is to limit the risk of injury from falling in the workplace. Accidents can involve human and equipment-related factors. Personal fall protection safety training teaches employees to recognize specific hazards in the workplace and utilize their equipment to avoid injury.

    Significance

    • Falls in the workplace can lead to serious injury and death. Personal fall protection equipment is designed to prevent injury when used correctly. However, the complexity and scope of the equipment lends to the need for training.

    Discussion Points

    • The bulk of the safety training program should address the correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling and inspecting the fall protection system. The most common personal fall protection system is the personal arrest system. Fall arrest systems must be rigged so that an employee can neither free fall more than six feet nor contact any lower level, for example. Training should address how to rig the fall arrest system, how to rescue employees in the event of a fall, how to inspect the system for wear and deterioration and how to select the proper equipment.

    Professional Instruction

    • There are multiple vendors who specialize in personal fall protection equipment and safety training. In some cases, the manufacturer provides training. Companies such as Miller Fall Protection, Elk River and Kee Safety offer on-site training courses by expert instructors.

    Considerations

    • Falls are most common and most severe in the construction industry. OSHA closely monitors the industry's handling of fall protection safety training, including the use of fall arrest systems. Fall protection training is mandatory and employers must keep a written record certifying they have trained employees on fall protection. If an employee demonstrates that he does not understand the fall protection guidelines, it is the employer's responsibility to retrain them.

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