Certified EM385-1 Fall Prevention Competent Person Specialist

Course Description

This course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to become a Competent Person in fall protection, especially for worksites governed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and its EM 385-1-1 safety manual. The program provides a deep dive into OSHA Subpart M, ANSI standards, and specific USACE requirements for fall protection systems.

Participants will learn to identify fall hazards, select appropriate control measures, and understand the critical roles and responsibilities of a Competent Person. The curriculum covers the components and proper use of Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) and Personal Fall Restraint Systems, as well as critical topics like rescue at height and the challenges of suspension trauma. This comprehensive training ensures that safety professionals are prepared to manage fall protection programs effectively, conduct thorough inspections, and maintain rigorous compliance with all applicable regulations.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Identify and evaluate common workplace fall hazards.
• Explain the components, inspection, and maintenance requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) and Personal Fall Restraint Systems.
• Detail fall protection training requirements as per OSHA and USACE standards.
• Describe the challenges and planning required for rescue at height, including ANSI Z359.2 requirements.
• Discuss the elements of an effective, site-specific fall protection program.
• Fulfill the duties of a Competent Person as defined by OSHA and USACE, including the authority to stop work and implement corrective actions.
• Achieve a minimum score of 80% on the final course assessment.

Requirements

• Course Outline/Modules
• Day 1 – Foundations of Fall Protection
• Module 1 – Introduction: Importance of fall protection, statistics on workplace falls, and course overview.
• Module 2 – Introduction to Competent Person & OSHA Subpart M: OSHA’s definition of a "Competent Person" and their roles and responsibilities.
• Module 3 – Definitions: Key fall protection terminology and a comparison of OSHA vs ANSI definitions.
• Day 2 – USACE EM 385-1-1 Section 21 Fall Protection
• Module 4 – Duty to Have Fall Protection: Employer responsibilities and fall protection trigger heights (OSHA Construction 6 ft, General Industry 4 ft).
• Module 5 – Safety Net Systems: Design requirements, installation, and inspection protocols.
• Module 6 – Personal Fall Arrest Systems (29 CFR 1926.502(d)): Harnesses, lanyards, anchors, connectors, and limits on free fall distance and deceleration.
• Day 3 – Advanced Fall Protection & Rescue
• Module 7 – Controlled Access Zones (29 CFR 1926.502(g)): When CAZs are used and requirements for monitoring.
• Module 8 – Safety Monitoring Systems (29 CFR 1926.502(h)): Monitor roles, responsibilities, and limitations.
• Module 9 – Fall Protection Plans: Site-specific requirements and alternative measures when conventional fall protection is not feasible.
• Module 10 – Fall Protection Training: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.503 requirements, documentation, and retraining triggers.
• Module 11 – Fall Protection Equipment: Detailed inspection protocols, maintenance, and criteria for removal from service.
• Module 12 – Rescue at Height: Challenges of suspension trauma, self-rescue vs assisted rescue, and ANSI Z359.2 planning requirements.