Fall Protection Training & Certification: OSHA Requirements (2026)

Fall protection is OSHA’s number one most cited violation. It’s been at the top of the list for 15 consecutive years. Falls are also the leading cause of death in construction, accounting for roughly one in three construction fatalities.

That’s why OSHA requires specific fall protection training for all construction workers exposed to fall hazards at heights of 6 feet or more.

Who Needs Fall Protection Training?

Under 29 CFR 1926.503, employers must train every employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. In construction, that’s nearly everyone who works above ground level.

Workers who need fall protection training:

• Roofers and workers on elevated surfaces
• Scaffold workers
• Steel erectors and ironworkers
• Painters working at height
• Workers near unprotected edges, floor holes, or wall openings
• Workers on ladders (when used at height)
• Tower climbers and antenna workers
• Anyone working on elevated platforms, mezzanines, or elevated walkways

The 6-foot rule: In construction, fall protection is required at 6 feet above a lower level. In general industry (29 CFR 1910), the threshold is 4 feet. In shipyard employment, it’s 5 feet.

OSHA’s Fall Protection Requirements

OSHA doesn’t issue a specific “fall protection certification.” Instead, it requires employers to:

1. Identify all fall hazards in the workplace
2. Provide fall protection systems (guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems)
3. Train all exposed workers to recognize fall hazards and use fall protection properly
4. Designate a competent person to inspect fall protection systems and identify hazards

The training must be provided by a “competent person,” which OSHA defines as someone capable of identifying fall hazards and authorized to take corrective measures.

Types of Fall Protection Training

There are several levels of fall protection training, depending on your role:

Worker Awareness Training (1-2 hours)

Basic training for all workers exposed to fall hazards. Covers:

• Recognizing fall hazards on the job site
• Understanding the three types of fall protection (guardrails, nets, personal fall arrest)
• Proper use of harnesses and lanyards
• Inspection of fall protection equipment before use
• What to do if you see a fall hazard

Cost: $49 to $75 online.

This is the minimum training required for workers. It’s often included in OSHA 10 Construction and OSHA 30 Construction courses.

Authorized Person Training (4-8 hours)

More detailed training for workers who regularly use personal fall arrest systems. Covers:

• Detailed harness fitting and adjustment
• Anchor point selection
• Lanyard and self-retracting lifeline use
• Fall distance calculations
• Equipment inspection procedures
• Rescue planning

Cost: $100 to $200.

Competent Person Training (16-24 hours)

Advanced training for supervisors and safety personnel designated as the “competent person” for fall protection on a job site. Covers everything above plus:

• OSHA fall protection standards in detail (1926.500-503)
• Developing fall protection plans
• Selecting fall protection systems for different situations
• Conducting job site fall hazard assessments
• Training other workers
• Equipment inspection and documentation

Cost: $150 to $500+.

Competent person certification is typically valid for 2 years and requires recertification.

What Fall Protection Systems Must Workers Know?

Training must cover the three main categories of fall protection:

Guardrail systems Physical barriers that prevent workers from reaching a fall hazard. Must be 42 inches high with a mid-rail at 21 inches.

Safety net systems Nets installed below elevated work areas to catch falling workers. Must be installed as close under the work surface as practical.

Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) Harness, lanyard, and anchor point systems worn by individual workers. Includes:

• Full-body harness (the only acceptable body wear for fall arrest)
• Connecting devices (lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, deceleration devices)
• Anchor points (must support 5,000 pounds per worker or be designed by a qualified person)

Workers must be trained on whichever system they’ll use. They must also know how to inspect equipment before each use.

Cost Overview

Training Level	Format	Cost Range
Worker awareness	Online	$49 - $75
Authorized person	Online or in-person	$100 - $200
Competent person	In-person (recommended)	$150 - $500+
OSHA Institute course	In-person	$895+

Employers are responsible for providing and paying for fall protection training. Many employers include it as part of their new hire orientation and annual safety refresher.

Why This Is OSHA’s #1 Violation

Fall protection violations (29 CFR 1926.501) received 5,914 citations in the most recent reporting year. Fall protection training violations (29 CFR 1926.503) received another 1,907 citations. Combined, fall protection accounts for nearly 8,000 OSHA citations per year.

The violations are common because:

• Falls happen on almost every construction site
• Compliance requires active, ongoing effort (not a one-time fix)
• Temporary work at height creates constantly changing conditions
• Workers sometimes remove or bypass fall protection for convenience

Every fall protection citation is preventable with proper training, equipment, and enforcement.

Read the full breakdown: OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Violations

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OSHA issue a fall protection certification? No. OSHA requires training but doesn’t issue certifications for fall protection. Training providers issue their own certificates of completion. What OSHA cares about is that your employer trained you and documented it.

How often do I need fall protection retraining? OSHA doesn’t specify a retraining interval. Retraining is required when workers don’t demonstrate understanding, when the workplace changes, or when equipment changes. Most employers provide annual refresher training. Competent person certifications typically expire after 2 years.

Is fall protection training included in OSHA 10 or OSHA 30? Yes, both OSHA 10 Construction and OSHA 30 Construction cover fall protection as a core topic. However, these courses provide general awareness, not the detailed hands-on training needed for workers who regularly use personal fall arrest systems.

What’s the difference between a competent person and a qualified person? A competent person can identify fall hazards and take corrective action. A qualified person has formal training (often an engineer) who can design fall protection systems. OSHA uses both terms in the fall protection standards, and they have different responsibilities.

Can fall protection training be done online? Basic awareness training can be completed online. But hands-on harness fitting, equipment inspection, and practical exercises should be done in person. Most safety professionals recommend in-person training for anyone who will use personal fall arrest systems.