MODULE 3: Fall Protection Roles and Responsibilities

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”18326″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are several important roles and hierarchy in the responsibilities and planning for tasks involving the necessity of fall protection. Although not all roles will be used on every project they will not doubt all be used at some point throughout a Site Safety and Health Officer’s career.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Fall Protection Program Manager” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Responsibilities

The Program Manager is responsible for the overall development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Fall Protection Program. This person can also function as a Qualified Person (QP), Competent Person (CP), Competent Person Trainer, Qualified Person trainer and/or Competent Rescue trainer, if they have the appropriate training.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]Program Manager Training

Training for Program Managers shall be conducted by a CP Trainer or QP Trainer. Program Managers must have a working knowledge of current fall protection regulations, requirements, standards, equipment, and systems. Training must cover the items prescribed in ANSI/ASSE Z359.2 standard.

For USACE-owned and/operated permanent facilities, Program Managers shall complete refresher training annually, by participating in at least one (1) hour of fall protection and rescue-related informational meetings and/or training.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]The Fall Protection Program Manager Must

Be trained appropriately
Advise and provide guidance for managers, employees and others on all matters pertaining to their Fall Protection Program;
Establish all duties and responsibilities required by the Fall Protection Program and assign them to individuals who are trained and qualified to perform them;
Verify personnel are provided with resources to accomplish their responsibilities;
Establish and implement a procedure to identify and eliminate or control new and existing fall hazards;
Ensure the proper development and implementation of the fall protection and prevention plan (written Fall Protection Procedures, per ANSI Z359.2) and rescue plan (written Rescue Procedures, per ANSI Z359.2).
Provide/ensure appropriate level of training is received by End Users (Authorized Persons per ANSI Z359.2), CP, QP, and others as required;
Participate in investigation of all mishaps (near misses, incidents, or accidents) related to falls from heights (personally or by designation of persons qualified to perform the investigation);
Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the Fall Protection Program by conducting periodic program evaluations and making improvements as necessary.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18327″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Competent Person for Fall Protection” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Responsibilities

The Competent Person for Fall Protection is responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation and monitoring of the Fall Protection Program.

The Competent Person for Fall Protection is responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation and monitoring of the Fall Protection Program. The Competent Person for Fall Protection is defined as: Someone capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. This is usually the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) on USACE and NAVFAC projects, while other Government Agencies such as Department of Veterans Affairs or the Parks and Recreation Services call them Safety Officer or Safety Manager.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]Competent Person For Fall Protection Training

The Competent Person for Fall Protection must be trained to the applicable level. Acceptable Competent Person for Fall Protection training must be a MINIMUM of 24 hours, with a combination of formal classroom training and practical applications. All training must be documented.

For USACE-owned/operated permanent facilities, the refresher training requirement for the CPs is to stay current in fall protection and rescue knowledge by participating in at least two (2) hours annually of fall protection and rescue-related training and/or informational meetings.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]The Competent Person for Fall Protection Must

Conduct a fall hazard survey to identify all fall hazards before End Users are exposed to those hazards
Identify, evaluate, and impose limits on the workplace activities to control fall hazard exposures and swing falls and communicate all limitations to all employees authorized to utilize the fall protection system
Have the authority to stop the work immediately if it is determined to be unsafe and take prompt corrective measures to mitigate fall hazards
Prepare, update, review and approve fall protection and prevention plans as directed by the Program Manager
Review procedures as workplace activities change to determine if additional practices, procedures, or training need to be implemented
Ensure a rescue plan has been developed for all activities
Specify in the fall protection and prevention plan, the fall protection systems, anchorage locations, connecting means, body supports and other equipment that End Users are required to use when exposed to a fall hazard
Supervise the selection, installation, use and inspection of non-certified anchorages
Verify End Users who work at heights are trained and authorized to do so
Review, periodically and as needed, fall protection and prevention plan/rescue plan and procedures, to insure the End User is adequately informed about the fall protection and prevention plan/rescue plan and procedures for workplace activities
Ensure prompt rescue of End Users can be accomplished via the rescue plan and procedures to be used
Participate in investigation of all mishaps related to falls from heights
Ensure all damaged or deployed fall protection equipment, is removed from service immediately
Inspect all fall protection equipment at the frequency required by the manufacturer.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18328″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Qualified Person for Fall Protection” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Responsibilities

QPs are responsible for performing various duties that may be critical to the life and health of other workers.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]Qualified Person Fall Protection Training

A QP shall be trained by a QP Trainer in proper inspection, assembly and use of all fall protection equipment and systems that they encounter in their work as a QP. The frequency and duration of training that a QP requires to remain proficient in that role varies with the amount and types of fall protection work for which that person is responsible.

Training shall include those items in ANSI /ASSE Z359.2 standard, and shall include hands-on use of all types of equipment and systems used in locations where End Users work, to include: inspecting the systems prior to use; installing systems; analyzing structures and verifying that fall protection systems are properly installed; determining component compatibility; estimating free fall distances; determining total required clearance; dismantling systems storing equipment and common hazards associated with each system component.

For USACE-owned/operated permanent facilities, the refresher training requirement for the QPs is to stay current with fall protection and rescue knowledge by participating in at least one (1) hour annually of fall protection and rescue-related training and/or informational meetings[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_single_image image=”18329″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”End User” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]End User Fall Protection Training

The End User shall understand workplace activities and follow the policy and procedures and the instructions of the CP regarding the use of fall protection and rescue systems and equipment.

Each worker who might be exposed to fall hazards from heights, shall be trained before using fall protection equipment by a CP, who is qualified in delivering fall protection training to the workers in the safe use of fall protection systems/equipment and the recognition of fall hazards related to their use, including:

The nature of fall hazards in the work area
The correct procedures for erecting, using, dismantling, inspecting, maintaining, and storing fall protection equipment
The application limits, free fall distance, total fall distance and clearance requirements of fall protection systems and equipment
Rescue equipment and procedures
Hands-on training and practical demonstrations
Proper anchoring and tie off techniques

End User refresher training must be provided to end users in the following situations:

Changes in the fall protection program render previous training obsolete
Changes in fall protection or rescue equipment render previous training obsolete
Inadequacies in an employee’s performance indicate a lack of knowledge or skill
A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect the safe use of the fall protection equipment.
For USACE-owned/operated permanent facilities, the refresher training for end users must be provided a minimum of one (1) hour annually to stay current with fall protection and rescue requirements.

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The End User must understand workplace activities and follow the policy and procedures and the instructions of the CP regarding the use of fall protection and rescue systems and equipment.

The nature of fall hazards in the work area
The correct procedures for erecting, using, dismantling, inspecting, maintaining, and storing fall protection equipment
The application limits, free fall distance, total fall distance and clearance requirements of fall protection systems and equipment
Rescue equipment and procedures
Hands-on training and practical demonstrations
Proper anchoring and tie off techniques

End User refresher training must be provided to end users in the following situations:

Changes in the fall protection program render previous training obsolete
Changes in fall protection or rescue equipment render previous training obsolete
Inadequacies in an employee’s performance indicate a lack of knowledge or skill
A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect the safe use of the fall protection equipment.
For USACE-owned/operated permanent facilities, the refresher training for end users must be provided a minimum of one (1) hour annually to stay current with fall protection and rescue requirements.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_single_image image=”18330″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Competent Rescuer” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The Competent Rescuer is responsible for anticipating the potential for planned rescue and ensuring effective rescue plan procedures and methods are in place before the End User or Users begin working at heights. This function may be performed by local emergency services, in-house professionals, competent or qualified persons or contractor services.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]Competent Rescuer Training

The Competent Rescuer shall be trained by a Competent Rescue Trainer.

The training must include:

Safe use of all types of equipment and systems used for rescue including inspection of the systems prior to use, installation, component compatibility, descent control, back-up systems, dismantling, storage and the common hazards associated with each system

Practical demonstrations on how to properly select, inspect, anchor, assemble and use the fall protection and rescue equipment used

For USACE-owned/operated permanent facilities, the refresher training for Competent Rescuers shall be provided a minimum of one (1) hour annually to stay current with fall protection and rescue requirements.

The Competent Rescuer Must:

Be trained appropriately to have a working knowledge through experience and training of current fall protection and planned rescue regulations, standards, equipment, and systems.
Prepare, update, review and approve the rescue plan and procedures before End Users start work at heights;
Verify all Authorized Rescuers have been adequately trained and are proficient at performing rescue;
Identify resources necessary to conduct safe, effective rescue from heights and verify those resources are available for a prompt rescue;
Know the hazards associated with rescue from heights and how to mitigate these hazards within the area of rescue
Verify the rescue equipment is protected against damage;
Verify rescue plans, procedures, and performances are, at a minimum, evaluated annually and any deficiencies have been corrected.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_single_image image=”18331″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Authorized Rescuer” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Authorized Rescuer. The Authorized Rescuers is responsible for performing and/or assisting in workplace rescues for personnel suspended in or attached to fall protection systems.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]Authorized Rescuer Training

The Authorized Rescuer shall be trained by a Competent Rescuer. The training must:

Be received before exposure to a fall hazard or a potential rescue event;

Include practical demonstrations on how to properly select, inspect, anchor, assemble, disassemble, store and use the fall protection and rescue equipment used.

Include and demonstrate before-use inspection of rescue equipment and systems.

For USACE-owned/operated permanent facilities, the refresher training for authorized rescuers shall be provided a minimum of one (1) hour annually to stay current with fall protection and rescue requirements.

The Authorized Rescuer Must:

Have through experience and training, plus working knowledge of and experience in the selection, use, storage, and care of all equipment necessary to perform a rescue;

Inspect the rescue equipment according to procedures developed by the Competent Rescuer and ensure it is protected, in proper working condition, and safe for rescue use;

Be trained to the appropriate level and shall be aware of the hazards that may endanger the rescuer during rescue operations.

Documentation

Training and evaluations for fall protection and rescue training shall be documented and retained for the current and previous training program and shall include the trainer/evaluator’s name, student’s name, training or evaluation organization’s name (if external), dates/times of training and evaluations, course objectives, content of training program, performance of student based on observation of physical demonstrations of skill or on exercises.

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