The most rigorous and comprehensive fall protection competent person training available. Built to the exacting standards of EM 385-1-1 (2024 Edition), OSHA 1926 Subpart M, ANSI Z359.2-2023, and USACE safety requirements. This is not a checklist course — this is life-and-death competence.
Every competent person trained here carries the weight of lives. There is zero margin for error. This course reflects that reality.
Fatal falls in construction annually (BLS 2023)
OSHA's most-cited standard — Fall Protection (1926.501)
Trigger height requiring fall protection per EM 385-1-1
Fall protection required — no exceptions for USACE projects
Twelve exhaustive modules covering every aspect of fall protection per EM 385-1-1 Chapter 21 (2024 Edition). Each module includes technical instruction, regulatory review, practical application scenarios, and competency verification.
Module 1 — 2.0 Hours
Module 2 — 2.5 Hours
Module 3 — 2.0 Hours
Module 4 — 2.0 Hours
Module 5 — 1.5 Hours
Module 6 — 1.5 Hours
Module 7 — 2.0 Hours
Module 8 — 2.5 Hours
Module 9 — 2.5 Hours
Module 10 — 2.0 Hours
Module 11 — 2.0 Hours
Module 12 — 1.5 Hours
Per EM 385-1-1 Section 21.E.05, competent persons must receive refresher training at minimum every 2 years, or whenever:
This is the standard. When lives depend on your competence, accept no substitute. Enroll in the most rigorous EM 385-1-1 fall protection training available.
Individual & Group
Training Available
On-Site or Virtual
Instructor-Led Training
Dedicated Support
Post-Certification
100-question comprehensive exam covering all 12 modules. Must achieve 85% to pass. No exceptions. No shortcuts. When lives are on the line, competence is non-negotiable.
Question 1 (Module 8 — PFAS):
Per EM 385-1-1 Section 21.C.02, the maximum allowable free fall distance for a personal fall arrest system is:
A. 4 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 8 feet
D. 10 feet
Question 2 (Module 9 — Rescue):
The maximum acceptable rescue time to prevent suspension trauma fatality is:
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes
Question 3 (Module 3 — Inspection):
A full body harness must be immediately removed from service if inspection reveals any of the following EXCEPT:
A. Cut or frayed webbing fibers
B. D-ring with visible deformation
C. Faded color from UV exposure without structural damage
D. Damaged or missing stitching on load-bearing straps
Question 4 (Module 7 — Clearance Calculation):
A worker is using a 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard with a standard energy absorber attached to a dorsal D-ring at anchor height. The approximate required clearance from the anchorage point to the nearest obstruction below is:
A. 10.5 feet
B. 14.5 feet
C. 18.5 feet
D. 22.5 feet
Minimum regulatory specifications per EM 385-1-1 (2024), OSHA 1926 Subpart M, and ANSI Z359. All competent persons must know these values cold.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dorsal D-Ring Static Strength | 3,600 lbf (16 kN) |
| Sternal D-Ring Static Strength | 3,600 lbf (16 kN) |
| Dynamic Performance (Drop Test) | No more than 1,800 lbf MAF, ≤ 4 ft arrest distance |
| Sub-Pelvic Strap | Required — must distribute load post-fall |
| Inspection Interval | Pre-use (each shift) + Annual Competent Person + Per Manufacturer |
Critical knowledge for every Competent Person. EM 385-1-1 is more stringent than OSHA in nearly every category. USACE projects must comply with EM 385-1-1 — OSHA compliance alone is insufficient.
| Topic | EM 385-1-1 (2024) | OSHA 1926 Subpart M | ANSI Z359 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Protection Trigger Height | 6 ft — zero exceptions | 6 ft (general) / Varies by trade | N/A (equipment standard) |
| Guardrail Top Rail Height | 42 in ± 3 in | 42 in ± 3 in | N/A |
| Guardrail Top Rail Strength | 200 lb in any direction | 200 lb outward/downward | N/A |
| Safety Net Mesh Size | 6 in × 6 in maximum | 6 in × 6 in maximum | A10.11 |
| 100% Fall Protection Required | YES — no exceptions | No — allows exceptions when infeasible | N/A |
| Warning Line Setback (Roofing) | 6 ft minimum | 6 ft minimum | Z359.2 §5.4 |
| Warning Line Height | 34-39 in | 34-39 in | Z359.2 §5.4 |
| PFAS Free Fall Distance | 6 ft maximum | 6 ft maximum | Z359.1 |
| Maximum Arrest Force | 1,800 lbf | 1,800 lbf | 1,800 lbf per Z359.1 |
| Anchorage Strength (Non-Certified) | 5,000 lbf | 5,000 lbf | 5,000 lbf per Z359.2 |
| Prompt Rescue Requirement | YES — specified in 21.D.03 | Required but not explicitly defined | Z359.2 §8 |
| Equipment Inspection — Pre-Use | Required each shift | Required but frequency not specified | Per Z359.2 |
| Annual Competent Person Inspection | Required — documented | Not explicitly required | Required per Z359.2 |
| Fall Protection Plan (Written) | Required for all fall hazards | Required only when conventional systems infeasible | Z359.2 — Managed FPP |
| Training Documentation | Name, date, trainer signature, content — per 01.B | Certification record required | Z359.2 §9 |
| Refresher Training Interval | Per 21.E.05 — based on deficiency, at minimum 2 years | When deficiency observed | Z359.2 — at minimum 2 years |
On USACE projects, EM 385-1-1 takes precedence over OSHA 1926 wherever the two differ — and EM 385-1-1 is always equal to or more stringent than OSHA. A Competent Person who applies only OSHA standards on a USACE project is non-compliant and subject to stop-work orders, removal, and potential debarment. Know the differences. Lives depend on it.
This training program is designed to meet and exceed the requirements of EM 385-1-1 (2024 Edition) Section 21 — Fall Protection, OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M, and ANSI Z359.2-2023. Successful completion confers EM 385-1-1 Fall Protection Competent Person status as defined in EM 385-1-1 Section 01.A.15.
The Competent Person designation requires that the individual:
Employer Responsibility: The employer retains ultimate responsibility for verifying that the designated Competent Person meets all EM 385-1-1 requirements, including written designation of authority. This training certificate satisfies the training component; the employer must satisfy the experience and authority components per their USACE contract requirements.
Trench Monkey Training Solutions is not responsible for accidents, injuries, or fatalities resulting from improper application of fall protection principles. This training provides the knowledge foundation; safety in the field requires continuous vigilance, adherence to protocol, and the courage to stop unsafe work.
The Competent Person designation is not just a certificate — it is a commitment to protecting every worker on your site. When the anchor points are set, the harnesses are inspected, and the rescue plan is ready, you are the last line of defense against the #1 killer in construction.
Enroll Now — $279