At Ellis Fall Safety Solutions, our three-day (24-hour) EM 385 compliant fall protection training program will allow your employees to participate in a hands-on, interactive workshop based on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requirements for preventing and protecting against workplace falls. This training is consistent with OSHA Fall Protection Standard 29CFR1926.500, EM 385 1-1, and the ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code. EM 385 training is also compliant with USACE’s 24-hour course requirements.
EM 385 fall protection training is required for all employees working on government or military projects. When employees are working these specific jobs, they are subject to several health and safety rules that they must follow to keep the job site running safely and efficiently. Additionally, employees must meet the unique needs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Safety and Health Requirements Manual including hand on proficiency training. USACE training helps contractors to adhere to the regulations established in this manual and gives an in-depth exploration of the guidelines and requirements.
The EM 385 fall protection course consists of content that is tailored specifically to your workplace and the tasks your employees perform at elevation. It is meant to teach employees how to effectively identify any potential hazards that may exist in your work environment and to give your employees a better knowledge of how to prevent falls. Using lectures, discussions, demonstrations, case studies, and application break-out activities, participants will learn to understand and apply principles, code, and standards to real-life situations.
Upon successful completion of the 3-day course and test, participants will receive an EM 385 certification and will be designated a Competent Person in Fall Protection as defined by EM 385 1-1.
Workshop Preparation
To customize the workshop for your specific workplace, we will conduct a phone interview to discuss tasks performed at elevation and particular material for the break-out sessions and hands on proficiency training with your fall protection equipment. We may also ask that you provide photographs of specific areas in your workplace where work is performed at elevation so that we can create accurate scenarios and prevention strategies. These photos will be used solely for your training purposes and will remain your property.
Course Overview
This course covers material that is categorized as fall hazard basics, such as ANSI Z359 language, hazard identification, application of regulations and standards, work at height and rescue concepts, and fall prevention technique. It will also cover material including protection from falls, prevention, protection systems, rescue considerations, and using, inspecting, maintaining, and storing fall protection equipment. At the end of the training session, there will be a final analysis and discussion. Participants will be rewarded with an EM 385 certification.
Topics that are covered include:
- Definition of fall protection
- The magnitude of the problem/OSHA fall protection statistics
- Applicable fall protection regulations, policies, and concepts
- Fall hazard observation and general work fall hazards
- Fall protection hierarchy of controls – Elimination, Prevention, Arrest, Administrative
- Fall arrest systems
- ABC’s of fall protection – Anchorage, Body Support, Connecting Means
- Anchorage points/anchorage point considerations
- Fall protection regulations and your company’s policy
- Full-body harnesses – applications, inspection, and safety features
- 5 fall arrest systems, dangers, and challenges
- Principles of fall arrest
- Lanyards – applications, inspection, and safety features:
- Shock absorbing
- Self-retracting
- 100% tie off/Y-lanyards
- Introduction/inspection of specialized fall protection equipment:
- Lifelines – horizontal/vertical
- Rigid rail systems
- Ladder climbing systems
- Work positioning systems
- Controlled descent devices
- 1st man-up devices
- Fall protection equipment and inspections
- Inspection of fall arrest systems and components
- Ladders
- Work positioning systems
- Fall restraint systems
- Fall protection work plans and setup of fall protection programs
- Fall hazard analysis
- Calculation of required fall arrest system clearance diagrams
- Swing hazard
- Identification of fall hazards
- Quantitative fall hazard assessment techniques and fall hazard ranking system
- Duties of a fall protection program administrator
- Application session
- Discussion on rescue considerations
- Test of knowledge
Upon completion of the EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Topics (EM385) course, students can ensure a safe workplace while satisfying and adhering to all USACE training regulations for government agencies. Participants will be competent in:
- Understanding the EM 385 fall protection rules and regulations.
- Comprehend the OSHA Act and its functions.
- Understand proper inspection processes
- Recognize major fall risks and can create a safe “work from heights” environment.
- Understand and determine when proper PPE should be used.
