Fall Protection and Safe Access
Course Offered: August 25 - October 29, 2026
More offerings to be added in 2027.
Course Description
This course delivers ANSI/ASSP Z359.2–compliant training for Competent Person and Program Administrator through an extended eight‑week format that respects the complexity of fall protection systems and avoids the compressed, high‑intensity structure of traditional week‑long courses. Participants gain time to absorb, apply, and operationalize concepts in real work environments. If schedule and workload do not afford in-person course attendance, this is an exceptional alternative.
Fall protection and safe access depend on engineered systems, integrating regulatory requirements, consensus standards, equipment performance, and human factors. The course examines the evolution of fall protection, the interaction between OSHA regulations and ANSI standards, and the technical foundations of the four elements of a Personal Fall Arrest System—anchors, body support, connectors, and rescue.
Learners conduct hazard analyses, evaluate swing‑fall and clearance requirements, review anchor selection and verification, and assess program‑level controls using the hierarchy of controls. Case studies from industrial, maritime, and construction environments support application of engineering judgment and program management principles. Weekly synchronous sessions meet EM385 time requirements and provide structured opportunities to analyze incidents, review equipment, and engage with guest experts from across the fall‑protection industry. This format supports deeper technical understanding, improved retention, and direct application to managed fall‑protection programs.
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Learner Outcomes
At conclusion of coursework, students will demonstrate the 15 competencies ANSI Z359.2 requirements for Competent Person per section 3.2.4:
- Immediate supervision, implementation, and monitoring of the program
- Knowledge of regulations, standards, and requirements
- Conduct fall hazard survey
- Identify, evaluate and impose limits control fall hazards and swing falls
- Authority to stop work
- Prepare, update, review and approve fall protection procedures, including written rescue plan.
- Specify in procedures anchor locations, connecting means, body supports and other equipment utilized by Authorized Persons
- Supervise the selection, installation, use and inspection of non-certified anchors
- Verify installations in accordance with standard and all applicable, federal, state and local regulations.
- Verify Authorized Persons are trained and review procedures with them prior to work.
- Establish clearance requirements
- Ensure prompt rescue
- Participate in investigation
- Immediately remove from service systems or components that are damaged or subject to arrest forces.
- Periodically inspect all equipment
At conclusion of coursework students will demonstrate the ANSI Z359.2 Requirements for Program Administrator as defined in section 3.2.2: (8 competencies)
- Knowledge of current regulations, standards, equipment and systems
- Providing guidance to managers and departments on all matters pertaining to the program
- Development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the managed fall protection program
- Establishing and implementing procedures to identify and control new and existing fall hazards
- Develop fall protection and rescue procedures
- Provide or ensure training programs for Authorized, Competent, and Qualified persons
- Investigate all incidents related to falls from height
- Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the program
At conclusion of the coursework students will demonstrate the USACE 385 21-3 requirements for Fall Protection Program Administrator and the USACE EM385 21-5 requirements for Competent Person.
Quick Facts
- 8-week course
- Totally online, fixed dates
- 10% discount for companies sending 5-9 individuals
- 15% discount for companies sending 10-15 individuals
- 20% discount for companies sending more than 15 individuals
- 4 CEUs / non-credit course
- Course cost: $2,000
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Instructor
Shawn C. Smith, MEng, CSP
Adjunct Professor