Fall Protection Training and Why it is Critical to Worker Safety

Fall protection training is crucial for protecting the workers’ lives. Falls are one of the most common reasons for injuries that happen in a workplace according to OSHA. The employers must remain active as they are responsible for protecting the employees. Moreover, they are also responsible for preventing falls when employees are working at a height. But the major concern is how to do this. Proper fall protection safety training helps in this regard and can protect an employee’s life. Providing safety training makes the employee responsible for his safety and well-being. Consequently, a significant improvement can be seen in workplace falls after providing the employees with accurate fall protection training.

Why is it important to prevent falls?

Many employees die every year due to falling from a height. Death usually affects all workers on the worksite. Since construction workers usually work at a height, therefore fall prevention training can be a life-saving strategy. Properly planning the way to do a job safely and providing the fall protection equipment with fall protection training can reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries at a workplace.

Who needs fall protection training?

A person using fall protection equipment or working at a certain height or in a dangerous situation requires safety training. Training must be given to the employees only by a certified person. It is recommended by the Walking-Working Surface Regulation to ensure that the workers are fully trained in preventing falls. Therefore, to protect the employees, register them in a fall protection training program.

What are the types of fall protection training?

Generally, there are two types of fall protection training programs.

1. Fall Protection Training – Awareness

Fall protection awareness is for the workers who mostly work at a height or who use fall protection equipment regularly. This training program generally consists of risk factor identification and prevention, regulating procedures, and practical demonstration.

Who needs this certification?

The following individuals mostly require this training program.

• Supervisors
• Managers
• The person involved in roof construction
• Erectors
• Framers
• Stucco and scaffold crew
• Any worker working at a certain height.
• Fall Protection Training – Qualified Person

This type of training is especially important for the staff like environmental health officers, safety officers, or supervisors. A competent person, according to OSHA is the person who can recognize the potential hazards in the workplace or inappropriate, untidy, or dangerous working conditions for employees. He also has the authority to eliminate these potential hazards. It includes training on emergency procedures, choosing appropriate safety equipment, and regular equipment inspection.

Each training program must review

• Identification of the nature of fall risk in a workplace.
• Elimination of potential risk factors in the workplace.
• Guidelines on the installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, and disassembling of the fall protection equipment.
• Teaching how to use equipment including hook up, tie off, techniques, anchoring, storage, and inspection of the equipment.

What should be the characteristics of training sessions?

• Each session should be short and comprehensive and should last five to ten minutes approximately. The sessions should be given either before the shift or can also be given during breaks between shifts so that the workers can pay attention properly.
• Sessions should be participatory. During training sessions, employees should feel free to discuss and should be encouraged to ask questions. By actively participating in the discussion, they will remember the important points discussed in the training sessions.
• The instructions and guidelines given during the training sessions should be easy to follow.

Who can conduct fall protection training?

Fall protection training is usually provided by a certified person. A qualified or certified person is described as a person with a renowned degree, extensive knowledge, certificate, experience, and training. He must possess the ability to resolve the issues related to falls. While looking for a company to register in a safety training program, try to go for a qualified person from a reputable company.

How often is fall protection training required?

Before an employee is assigned work at some height, he must undergo a proper safety training program. Anyhow, there is no specific time duration after which the employee must go for safety training. However, the employer can figure out when an employee needs further safety training. In case if the employee does not properly understand the safety training principles, then the employer can recommend him retraining. Furthermore, if the fall protection system, workplace, and the equipment of an organization change, then retraining is a necessity. You should also pay attention to your certificate expiry date.

How much is fall protection training?

Type of courses and the specific company determine the training courses. In other words, it is an investment that will benefit you in terms of fewer injuries, decreased costs, deaths, and hospital bills.

What happens at the end of the course?

Employers have to take an exam in written form after taking the training sessions. Once the employees have completed their fall prevention training, they can protect themselves from falls, injuries, and other casualties. This training provides you with the important tips and guidelines that will ensure your well-being and safety.

Construction or any other risky process becomes less dangerous if the workers are provided with proper fall protection training. It is good for both employee and employer as any accident on the worksite disturbs the entire workplace. It is life-risking to work at a certain height. Therefore, a fall protection program is very important for a workplace. However, it is the responsibility of an employer to ensure the safety of his employee. Equipping the employee with proper safety training teaches him how to function safely in a workplace. As a result, the employee is aware of safety principles and he avoids injury.

Employers can also benefit from this training as employees do their job safely and quickly. The safety of employees saves the money of employers as they do not have to spend money on medical and insurance costs. Most importantly by paying attention to employee safety, employers remain compliant with the OSHA’s rules and regulations.