According to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), falls cause more deaths in construction and general industry than any other work place hazard; in 2017, there were 4,693 workplace deaths and 38.5% of which were related to falls. Fall Protection continues to lead OSHA’s “Fatal Four” leading causes of fatalities, and is the number one cited violation at job sites and manufacturing facilities across the nation.

Preventing falls can mean the difference between life and death, which is why it’s important to plan to get the job done safely, provide the right fall protection equipment, and provide/[have] the proper training for all workers based on the tasks being performed at height.  A fall can occur in a split second without any time for the worker to react.

Short and direct Toolbox Talks can be an efficient way to provide your employees with health and safety information. Like all training, delivering that information effectively takes preparation and a clearly defined understanding of the work at heights being conducted, as not all work at heights is the same.  Studies have shown, however, that a comprehensive hand’s-on training class is more effective, increases levels of participation and significantly improves information retention than any conversation or short presentation.  Safety training that is closely aligned to the work at heights being completed makes the training more interesting, and more likely that people will remember the information provided to them.

MSA has helped protect workers for over 100 years in all facets of personal protective equipment and services. With this in mind, we recognize that education and training play an integral part as well. Without proper training, an employee may not use or inspect the equipment properly resulting in an accident or possible fatality.  MSA’s Safety at Heights Fall Protection training programs are designed with safety and jobsite efficiency in mind.

MSA provides a wide variety of Safety at Heights training programs uniquely tailored to fit the needs and requirements of the different tasks being performed at heights.  Below is a list of the Safety at Heights classes that MSA currently offers and the different elements and content they each provide to safety professionals based on the individual needs and requirements of the work being completed:

• Fall Protection Awareness – An introduction to Safety at Heights through its 4 Hour Fall Protection Awareness course. This course is designed for employees that are regularly required to work at height.
• Authorized Person for Safety at Heights – The Authorized Person for Safety at Heights course is designed for the Fall Protection equipment user, or At Risk Worker, as well as their Supervisors or Manager, and the Safety Professional.
• Rescue Planning for Safety at Heights – The Rescue Planning for Safety at Heights course is designed for Supervisors, Managers, and Safety Professionals responsible for Fall Protection programs.
• Competent Person for Equipment Inspection – The Competent Person for Equipment Inspection course is designed for the Fall Protection equipment user, or At Risk Worker, as well as their Supervisors or Manager, and the Safety Professional.
• Competent Person for Safety at Heights – The Competent Person for Safety at Heights course is designed for Supervisors, Managers, and Safety Professionals responsible for Fall Protection programs.
• Competent Person Horizontal / Vertical Lifeline Training – The Competent Person for Horizontal Lifeline Installation and Inspection course is designed for the Fall Protection equipment user, or At Risk Worker, as well as their Supervisors or Manager, and the Safety Professional.
• Competent Person for Fall Protection: Military / Army Corps of Engineers (EM385-1-1) – This course is designed for facility and site supervisors who must also serve as the competent person required by EM385-1-1 Army Corp of Engineers requirements.
• Competent Tower Climber – MSA’s Competent Tower Climber course is designed to meet the needs of climbers in the telecommunications and utility tower climbing industry who work or supervise activities in construction, maintenance and tower upgrades.
• Qualified Person for Safety at Heights – The Qualified Person for Safety at Heights course is designed for Engineers, Designers, and Safety professionals who have previously successfully completed the initial Competent Person for Safety at Heights Certification.
• Ministry of Labour – Working at Heights (Ontario, Canada ONLY) – The Province of Ontario’s Working at Heights Training Program Standard identifies the requirements that must be met to support consistent and quality training for workers in the province of Ontario.
• Onsite Equipment Inspection – MSA offers a simple solution to help reduce lost time by offering organizations on-site documented competent equipment inspections. Our trained professionals will come to your site to conduct the written inspection for all your fall protection products.
• Onsite Survey, Hazard Assessment, and Audit Report Service – MSA will send one of our trained professionals to conduct a detailed and comprehensive facility walk-through, or we can focus on one particular area or safety concern.

MSA training courses give you the opportunity to participate in the most active, hands-on, solutions-based training available. Our comprehensive courses can be taught at your facility, or at one of MSA’s world-class North American training facilities located in Pittsburgh, PA, Chicago, IL, Houston TX, Los Angeles, CA, and in Canada in Toronto, ON and Edmonton AB. Our training facilities offer a unique and unparalleled training experience direct from the manufacturer.

Visit our website to learn more about MSA training courses.