805 Fall Protection in Construction

Who Can Train

Trainers can gain competency by achieving an appropriate level of technical knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in the fall protection subjects they teach. They can gain these skills through training, continuing education and, of course, on the job experience.

Instructors should be deemed competent on the basis of the criteria below:

1. They have previous documented experience in their area of instruction. Job descriptions, performance appraisals, and statements by co-workers or managers would help document previous experience.
2. Successful completion of a construction "train-the-trainer" program specific to the topics they will teach. A typical train-the-trainer course will discuss best practices in adult training principles, and provide an opportunity to practice presenting instruction and training in the subject area they will be expected to train. See OSHAcademy's 47-hour Construction Safety and Health Train-The-Trainer Program.
3. They possess an evaluation of instructional competence by a training manager or other competent person.

It's important for the employer to document trainer competency by maintaining course completion certificates, experience records, licensing, and other documents. The methods used to document trainer competency is left to the discretion of the employer.

The trainer must know and be able to explain the following topics, including:

• the nature of fall hazards at the work site;
• procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling fall protection systems;
• how to use and operate fall-protection systems;
• the role of each employee who may be affected by a safety-monitoring system;
• restrictions that apply to mechanical equipment used during roofing work;
• procedures for handling and storing materials and for erecting protection from falling objects;
• requirements detailed in OSHA standards; and
• company fall protection policies, procedures, practices, and rules.

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