Fall Protection Competent Person Training – Construction/General Industry

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Date/Time

Date(s) - September 8, 2026
8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location

Mid-America Safety & Environmental, LLC
2259 N Burton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65803

Duration: 4 Hours

$165.00 per person

Course Overview

Falls remain one of the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and fatalities across both construction and general industry. Employers are required to identify and control fall hazards, implement effective fall protection systems, and ensure that qualified personnel are overseeing these efforts. This comprehensive Fall Protection Competent Person course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and authority needed to recognize, evaluate, and control fall hazards in accordance with OSHA requirements.

Delivered by experienced safety professionals, this one-day program provides an in-depth review of OSHA fall protection standards for construction and general industry, focusing on the practical application of regulatory requirements in real-world work environments. Participants will learn how to evaluate fall protection systems, oversee implementation in the field, and fulfill the duties of a designated fall protection competent person.

Who Should Attend

This training is designed for individuals who have, or will have, responsibility for evaluating, implementing, and overseeing fall protection on the job site or in the facility, including:

  • Supervisors, foremen, and lead workers in construction and general industry
  • Safety managers, coordinators, and EHS professionals
  • Maintenance and facilities managers
  • Project managers and site managers
  • Anyone designated — or being prepared to be designated — as a Fall Protection Competent Person under company policy

Key Topics Covered

This course aligns with OSHA fall protection requirements and focuses on the standards most relevant to competent persons:

Construction – Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices (29 CFR 1926.502)

  • Guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety nets, and other conventional fall protection
  • Design, installation, inspection, and maintenance criteria
  • Anchorage, connectors, lifelines, lanyards, and harness requirements

Construction – Training Requirements (29 CFR 1926.503)

  • Employer responsibility for fall protection training
  • Required training content and delivery methods
  • Documentation and retraining requirements

General Industry – Duty to Have Fall Protection (29 CFR 1910.28)

  • Employer obligations for fall hazard assessment and control
  • Application of fall protection requirements to elevated work, walking-working surfaces, and specific tasks
  • Selection of appropriate fall protection systems based on work activities

General Industry – Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices (29 CFR 1910.29)

  • Guardrails, safety nets, personal fall protection systems, and other protective measures
  • Performance, design, and installation criteria for walking-working surface protections
  • Inspection and maintenance practices to ensure ongoing effectiveness

General Industry – Training Requirements (29 CFR 1910.30)

  • Required content for fall protection and walking-working surface training
  • Employee understanding and demonstration of safe use of fall protection systems
  • Frequency and triggers for initial and refresher training

OSHA Definition of “Competent Person” — Fall Protection Context

  • OSHA’s definition of “competent person” as it applies to fall protection
  • Distinction between competent person, qualified person, and authorized user
  • Authority and responsibility of the fall protection competent person in construction and general industry
  • Criteria for designating and documenting competent persons within the organization

Applied Fall Protection Principles

  • Identification and evaluation of fall hazards in construction and general industry environments
  • Hierarchy of controls as applied to fall prevention and protection
  • Selection of appropriate fall protection systems for specific tasks and environments
  • Pre-use and periodic inspection of fall protection equipment and systems
  • Safe work practices around leading edges, rooftops, scaffolds, ladders, and elevated work platforms
  • Incident prevention through proper planning, supervision, and communication

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Interpret and apply OSHA fall protection standards (29 CFR 1926.502, 1926.503, 1910.28, 1910.29, and 1910.30) to their specific work environment.
  2. Explain OSHA’s definition of a “competent person” in the context of fall protection and differentiate it from other roles such as qualified person and authorized user.
  3. Identify and evaluate fall hazards in construction and general industry settings, including walking-working surfaces and elevated work areas.
  4. Select appropriate fall protection systems and equipment based on task, environment, and regulatory requirements.
  5. Conduct and document inspections of fall protection systems and equipment to ensure they meet OSHA criteria and are safe for use.
  6. Develop and reinforce safe work practices that minimize fall risks and support compliance with company policies and OSHA standards.
  7. Support and oversee fall protection training efforts in alignment with OSHA training requirements for affected employees.
  8. Exercise the authority of a competent person to stop work, correct hazardous conditions, and implement corrective actions related to fall protection.

Competent Person Responsibilities Upon Completion

Following successful completion of this course, participants will be prepared to act as a Fall Protection Competent Person for their organization. Typical responsibilities include:

  • Conducting routine and pre-task fall hazard assessments in construction and general industry environments
  • Evaluating existing and proposed fall protection systems for compliance with OSHA criteria
  • Overseeing installation, use, and removal of fall protection equipment and systems
  • Performing and documenting regular inspections of fall protection equipment, anchorage points, and systems
  • Identifying unsafe conditions or improper use of fall protection and initiating immediate corrective actions
  • Working collaboratively with qualified persons, safety staff, and management to develop or improve fall protection programs
  • Supporting and reinforcing employee training on the proper use, limitations, and care of fall protection systems
  • Serving as a resource for workers and supervisors regarding fall protection requirements and best practices

Note: Final designation as a competent person is the responsibility of the employer and should be documented in accordance with company policy.

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Experience: Prior experience in construction, maintenance, facilities, safety, or supervisory roles where fall hazards are present
  • Basic Knowledge: Familiarity with general safety principles and company safety policies
  • Employer Designation: Participants should be individuals whom the employer intends to designate — or is considering designating — as a fall protection competent person
  • Physical Ability: Ability to safely access typical work areas where fall protection is used (roofs, platforms, scaffolds, etc.) for practical discussions and examples

PPE is not typically required for classroom-based training but may be needed if practical demonstrations or site walk-throughs are included by arrangement.

 

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