Fall Protection in General Industry

Program Information

Environmental Health and Safety at Virginia Tech has received funding through the OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Program to develop and provide training on fall hazards in general industry. We offer both a Train-the-Trainer program and awareness-level training. The Awareness-level training is available in both English and Spanish.

The awareness-level course takes approximately two hours and covers five topical areas, geared towards General Industry. Throughout the course, references are included to current OSHA Standards covering walking-working surfaces. The intended audience consists of employees working for employers within the general industry.
  1. Introduction to OSHA
    This section is included at the request of OSHA and covers OSHA's purpose, the general duty clause, how to file an OSHA complaint, whistleblower protections, and worker's rights.
  2. Falls
    The Introductory section provides background information on falls, including regional fatality information and OSHA's authority.
  3. Fall Hazards: Recognizing and Evaluating Fall Hazards
    This section covers falls on the same level, falls from height, falls onto/into equipment, holes and openings, excavations, and ladders. Unique to this program are discussions of secondary falls and falls in older workers.
  4. Fall Hazards: Correcting Fall Hazards
    This segment covers the basic hierarchy of controls and provides examples of how fall hazards can be eliminated; engineering controls including guardrails; the use of designated areas and warning lines; and personal protective equipment. The section also covers requirements for stairs and repair pits.
  5. Best Practices
    Based on peer review, ten best practices are presented to help employees understand how to prevent falls in the workplace.

The Train-the-Trainer class is 7.5 hours in length and prepares supervisors, managers or safety professionals to teach the awareness-level course.

This course is substantially different from OSHA 3115 and many other fall protection training programs in that it focuses primarily on the general industry environment and is more than just a standards compliance course.

HCH Flyer

What is the cost?
The cost of providing this training to employers and workers within the scope of our grant is covered through grant funds. There are no direct or indirect costs to hosts or participants.

Can the training be held at my site?
Yes. The grant allows Virginia Tech to deliver both awareness and train-the-trainer programs throughout the Region.

Awareness Class Outline || Train-the-Trainer Class Outline

Upcoming Classes

We will be resuming in-person classes, with guidelines, beginning August 3, 2020.
For the latest information on Virginia Tech & COVID-19

OSHA has granted permission for classes to be taught via our Virtual Classroom through September 30,2020.

CourseDateLocationRegistration
Train-the-TrainerFriday, November 6, 2020 (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)Nursing Unlimited, Miami Gardens, FLRegister Here or contact Lee Watson Phone: 540-577-5991
Train-the-TrainerTuesday, November 10, 2020 (1:00 PM - 8:00 PM)Online via ZoomRegister Here or contact Curt Porterfield Phone: 540-231-8759
Train-the-TrainerFriday, November 13, 2020 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)Online via ZoomRegister Here or contact Curt Porterfield Phone: 540-231-8759
Awareness (Worker)Thursday, November 19, 2020 (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM)Online via ZoomRegister Here or contact Curt Porterfield Phone: 540-231-8759
Awareness (Worker)Friday, November 20, 2020 (9:00 AM - 11:30 AM)Online via ZoomRegister Here or contact Curt Porterfield Phone: 540-231-8759
Awareness (Worker)Monday, November 30, 2020 (8:30 AM - 11:00 AM)Online via ZoomRegister Here or contact Curt Porterfield Phone: 540-231-8759
Train-the-TrainerWednesday, December 2, 2020 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)Online via ZoomRegister Here or contact Curt Porterfield Phone: 540-231-8759
Awareness (Worker)Thursday, December 3, 2020 (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM)Online via ZoomRegister Here or contact Curt Porterfield Phone: 540-231-8759
Additional in-person Train-the-Trainer programs coming in Sacramento, CA in November and Tampa/Bradenton, FL in December. For information contact Lee Watson Phone: 540-577-5991

If you are interested in hosting a class...

Contact Curt Porterfield or call 540-231-8759

Important Note

Fall Protection in General Industry was produced under grant number SH-05117-SH9 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.