Online Course · Fall Protection
Personal Fall Arrest Systems Training for Work at Height
A harness only works if every link in the system is right — the anchor, the connector, the fit and the clearance below. This personal fall arrest systems training teaches workers to build that system correctly and inspect it every time.
When Fall Arrest Is Required
Falls are a leading cause of death in construction, and fall protection is consistently one of OSHA's most frequently cited standards. In construction, protection is generally required at six feet above a lower level under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M; general industry rules in 1910 Subpart D generally set the trigger at four feet. Guardrails, covers and safety nets are options, but where workers need freedom to move — on steel, roofs, aerial lifts or elevated platforms — a personal fall arrest system is often the answer.
OSHA requires employers to train each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards, delivered by a competent person, and to retrain when changes or observed gaps call for it. This online course provides the knowledge foundation that a site-specific harness fitting and equipment demonstration builds on.
The ABCs of a Personal Fall Arrest System
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A — Anchorage
A secure point capable of supporting fall forces, such as a structural beam, engineered anchor or roof anchor.
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B — Body harness
A full-body harness that spreads arrest forces across the thighs, pelvis, chest and shoulders. Body belts are not acceptable for fall arrest.
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C — Connector
Shock-absorbing lanyard, self-retracting lifeline or rope grab that joins harness to anchor.
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D — Deceleration
The shock absorber or SRL brake that limits the force on the body when a fall is stopped.
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R — Rescue
A plan to reach a suspended worker quickly, decided before anyone ties off.
Clearance: The Calculation Most People Skip
A fall arrest system does no good if the worker hits the ground or a lower level before it stops them. Learners calculate total fall clearance by adding the free-fall distance, the deceleration distance of the shock absorber, the worker's height below the D-ring, harness stretch and a safety margin. The course shows why a 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard may be the wrong choice at low heights and when a self-retracting lifeline is better.
Construction rules call for systems rigged so a worker cannot free fall more than six feet or contact any lower level, and anchorages for fall arrest capable of supporting 5,000 pounds per employee attached, or designed and used under the supervision of a qualified person with a safety factor of at least two.
Swing falls and sharp edges
Tying off to one side creates a pendulum swing into nearby structures. Leading-edge work can cut a lifeline. The course explains how to position anchors overhead where possible and choose equipment rated for edge exposure.
Pre-Use Inspection Points Learners Practice
- Webbing free of cuts, burns, frays, chemical damage and UV fading
- Stitching intact and fall indicators not deployed
- D-rings, buckles and adjusters free of cracks, sharp edges and distortion
- Snap hooks and carabiners self-closing and self-locking
- SRL retracts smoothly and locks when pulled sharply
- Labels legible; any system that has arrested a fall removed from service
After the Fall: Suspension and Rescue
A worker hanging motionless in a harness can develop suspension trauma, where blood pools in the legs. Employers must provide for prompt rescue or ensure workers can rescue themselves. The course explains trauma relief straps, keeping the legs moving and the rescue options your plan might use, from aerial lifts to pre-rigged rescue systems.
PFAS Training FAQs
Can I attach to a guardrail or pipe?
Only if a qualified person has determined it can support the required load. Guardrails and small piping often cannot.
How often should harnesses be inspected?
Before each use by the worker, plus periodic inspections by a competent person according to the manufacturer and your program.
Does this course cover ladders?
No. See our ladder safety course for portable ladders and slips, trips and falls for same-level hazards.