Does OSHA require employees to receive fall protection training?
Yes. Falls are dangerous and common in many work environments, particularly when elevated work stations, overhead platforms, or floor and wall holes are involved. OSHA requires fall protection training when employees are dealing with elevations of at least 4 feet in general industry workplaces, 5 feet in shipyards, 6 feet in the construction industry, and 8 feet in longshoring operations. OSHA furthermore requires such training regardless of fall distance if employees are working over dangerous machinery or equipment.
Which employees are required to receive fall protection training per OSHA regulations?
Employers must provide training to every employee who may be exposed to fall hazards.
How often is refresher fall protection safety training required?
Refresher training should be provided on an "as needed" basis. Specifically, whenever changes apply or inadequacies in an affected employee’s education are indicated; according to 1926.503(c), retraining should always occur "when the employer has reason to believe that any affected employee who has already been trained does not have the understanding and skill required."
Does OSHA require specific topics to be covered in fall protection training?
Yes. The training program must enable employees to recognize the hazards associated with falling and must also be trained in the procedures meant to minimize these hazards. Employees should be qualified and certified in: (1) the nature of the fall hazards onsite; (2) procedures for erecting/maintaining/disassembling/inspecting fall protection systems; (3) use and operation of protection systems (i.e. guardrails, safety nets, safety monitoring systems, personal fall arrest systems, etc.); (4) knowledge of each employee’s role in the safety monitoring system; (5) limitations of mechanical equipment during roofing work on low-sloped roofs; (6) handling and storing materials and erecting overhead projections; (7) individual employee roles in fall protection plans; and (8) OSHA standards contained in this subpart.
Are we required to have a fall protection plan?
Yes, although each Fall Protection Plan may be developed and evaluated on a site-by-site basis. Such plans typically include a statement of company policy, an outline of fall protection systems to be used on the particular job, an enforcement warning, an accident investigation guarantee, and details concerning a changes-to-plan procedure.
Is fall protection required for extension ladders?
Fall protection must be provided for employees climbing or working on fixed ladders above 24 feet—a "fixed ladder" meaning "a ladder than cannot be readily moved or carried because it is an integral part of a building or structure," according to 1926.1053(a)(19). In the case of portable ladders, however, neither the ladder standard (CFR 1926) nor the fall protection standard (1926(m)), requires fall protection for employees while upon portable ladders. OSHA does encourage employers to provide additional protection in these instances, regardless.
DVD cost effectively trains and retrains an unlimited amount of employees.
No trainer required, just pop in and play.
Video content keeps trainees engaged.
Very convenient, multiple employees don’t need to be pulled off the floor at once for a training session.
Includes both video content and an interactive quiz element to keep workers engaged.
More engaging than traditional training formats.
Can be customized to fit a companies specific work environment and equipment.
The only training option that can cover the "hands on" and "evaluation" portions of the training in addition to the "classroom" portion of the training.
CONS
Can be difficult to pull multiple workers off the floor at once to watch the video.
The DVD can get lost or scratched.
DVD can only train workers at a single location.
Due to the per person pricing format, it’s expensive for large companies that need to train hundreds or thousands of employees.
By far the most expensive training medium.
Administering refresher training as well as initial training for new employees can be a logistical nightmare.
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