Who Can Give Fall Protection Training? (And Who Cannot)

Who Can Give Fall Protection Training? If you’ve been asking this question, you’re not alone—many employers, supervisors, and workers want clarity on who’s actually allowed to teach fall protection the right way.

With falls still being one of the top causes of injuries on the job, choosing the correct trainer isn’t just about checking a box for OSHA—it’s about keeping people safe.

As a safety trainer who’s spent years walking job sites, coaching crews, and stopping more than a few unsafe practices, I’ll break this down in a way that’s easy to understand and practical to apply.

Here’s the simple answer upfront:

Not just anyone can teach fall protection training—OSHA requires that it be delivered by someone who is “competent” or “qualified.”

But what does that actually mean? And who fits that role? Let’s dive in.

Trainer Type	Allowed to Teach?	Why They Qualify
Competent Person	Yes	Knows hazards, can correct unsafe work, understands equipment
Qualified Person	Yes	Deep technical expertise, system design, advanced instruction
Third-Party Safety Trainer	Yes	Employ professionals trained in OSHA standards
Manufacturer-Certified Trainer	Yes	Expert in specific equipment use & inspection
In-House Trained Trainer	Yes (if competent/qualified)	Must meet OSHA definition, not just attend a class

Training Types and Who Is Allowed to Deliver Them

Training Type	Who Can Deliver It	Notes
Awareness-Level Training	Competent person, third-party, online	Theory only
Authorized Person Training	Competent or qualified person	Hands-on required
Competent Person Training	Qualified person	More advanced
Rescue Training	Qualified person	High technical level
Equipment-Specific Training	Manufacturer-certified or competent	Gear-specific expertise needed

Read Related Article: How Often Do You Need Fall Protection Training?

OSHA’s Key Terms: Competent Person vs. Qualified Person

Before we go deeper, let’s break down OSHA’s definitions. These two terms show up a lot, and understanding them will make everything easier.

1. Competent Person

A competent person is someone who:

• Knows how to identify fall hazards, and
• Has the authority to stop work and fix the issue

In other words, they not only understand hazards—they can actually do something about them.

2. Qualified Person

A qualified person is someone who has:

• A degree, certificate, or professional standing OR
• Broad, extensive experience in fall protection systems

Think of them as the technical experts.

Read Related Article: Fall Protection: Whose Responsibility Is It—Employer or Worker?

Who Fit Into These Categories.

1. The Competent Person: Your Most Common Trainer

On most job sites, the competent person is the one who ends up training the crew. If you’re in construction, you’ve probably seen the safety officer, foreman, or site supervisor gather everyone around for toolbox talks or hands-on equipment demos.

From my experience, these individuals make great trainers if they truly understand fall protection and know how to communicate it. A good competent person:

• Knows how to use fall arrest gear
• Can inspect equipment
• Understands common hazards on the site
• Can explain anchorage, harness fit, lanyards, SRLs, etc.
• Has enough authority to correct unsafe behaviors

Competent persons can deliver:

• Awareness-level training
• Jobsite-specific training
• Equipment demos
• Hazard identification training

They’re the backbone of most fall protection programs.

2. The Qualified Person: When You Need Technical Expertise

Think of the qualified person as the “engineer-level” fall protection expert. They are needed for more complex tasks.

Qualified persons include:

• Certified Safety Professionals (CSP)
• Construction Health & Safety Technicians (CHST)
• Professional Engineers (P.E.)
• Fall protection system designers
• Advanced safety instructors with years of experience

In my years delivering training, I’ve met many competent persons who are excellent teachers, but when you start discussing advanced anchorage systems, horizontal lifelines, or engineered fall arrest systems, that’s when you need someone with deeper technical knowledge.

Qualified persons are usually responsible for:

• Advanced fall protection courses
• Evaluating engineered systems
• Designing anchor points
• Training supervisors and safety officers
• Providing specialized training for tower, roofing, bridge, and industrial work

If your team deals with complex fall hazards, a qualified person is a must.

3. Third-Party Safety Trainers and Companies

Many companies simply don’t have an experienced in-house competent or qualified person. That’s where third-party safety training providers come in.

These are organizations that specialize in OSHA-compliant safety training. They usually employ a mix of competent and qualified persons who conduct:

• In-person classes
• On-site training
• Online awareness courses

I’ve worked with companies who bring in third-party trainers once or twice a year because it’s cheaper than maintaining a full-time trainer—and they get expert-level instruction without worrying about compliance gaps.

The benefits of hiring a third-party provider?

• Up-to-date OSHA knowledge
• High-quality curriculum
• Hands-on practice with real equipment
• Consistent training for all employees

If you don’t have an internal safety department, this is the easiest—and safest—option.

4. Manufacturer-Certified Trainers

One of the most underrated sources of training is equipment manufacturers. Companies that produce harnesses, SRLs, lanyards, and horizontal lifelines often have certified trainers who teach:

• How to properly use their equipment
• Inspection techniques
• Maintenance procedures
• Common misuse issues

Back when I first started training, I actually learned a lot from manufacturer reps who did demos on job sites. They know their equipment inside out—sometimes better than general safety trainers.

Their training is ideal if:

• Your team just purchased new fall protection gear
• You want specialized training on brand-specific equipment
• You need in-depth knowledge about inspections and lifespan

5. In-House Trainers (If They Are Competent or Qualified)

Some companies choose to develop their own internal fall protection trainers. This can be a cost-effective and practical option, especially for larger companies.

Here’s how it usually works:

1. A supervisor or safety officer attends a fall protection “train-the-trainer” course.
2. They become designated as the company’s competent or qualified trainer.
3. They deliver formal training, toolbox talks, and refreshers to the crew.

But here’s the important part:

The company must ensure the trainer actually meets OSHA’s definition of competent or qualified.

Just attending a class doesn’t automatically make someone competent or qualified—they must have the knowledge and experience to do the job right.

In my experience, this method works best when the internal trainer genuinely cares about safety and takes the role seriously.

Read Related Article: Qualified vs. Competent Person in Fall Protection

Who Cannot Give Fall Protection Training?

Role	Allowed to Train?	Why Not
Regular workers with no competency	❌ No	Don’t meet OSHA’s competent trainer requirement
Supervisors with no training background	❌ No	Title alone doesn’t qualify
Safety officers without fall protection expertise	❌ No	Must have hazard + system knowledge
Online-only training (no evaluation)	❌ Not complete	Missing practical assessment

This is just as important to understand.

The following individuals cannot provide OSHA-compliant fall protection training:

• Regular employees with no authority
• Supervisors who have never used fall protection equipment
• Online course providers that offer “certificates” with no instructor
• HR staff or managers with no safety background
• Anyone who has not been evaluated as competent or qualified

Remember:

A PowerPoint or YouTube video is not “training.”
A trainer must be able to evaluate hazards and demonstrate equipment in person.

Why Fall Protection Training Can’t Be Done by Just Anyone

If you’ve spent any time in construction, you already know how quickly things can go wrong at heights. I’ve personally seen near misses that still make me shake my head—unsecured anchor points, workers climbing makeshift ladders, harnesses worn completely wrong… you name it.

Falls remain one of the top killers in construction, and most of the incidents I’ve investigated had one thing in common:

The workers were never properly trained.

This is exactly why OSHA is strict about who can provide fall protection training. It’s not a “watch a video and sign the attendance sheet” kind of thing. It requires expertise, experience, and the authority to actually correct unsafe behavior.

How to Choose the Right Trainer (Practical Tips)

Here’s what I always advise employers and safety officers:

Requirement Type	OSHA Minimum Requirement	Typical Industry Best Practice	Why It Matters
Knowledge of fall hazards	Yes	Deep understanding + real jobsite experience	Ensures training matches real scenarios
Knowledge of fall protection systems	Yes	Hands-on competence with harnesses, SRLs, anchors	Avoids incorrect instruction
Ability to train & evaluate	Yes	Certified trainer credential	Ensures training is structured
Documentation	Not explicitly required	Official certificates + sign-in sheets	For audits, insurance, liability
Frequency	As needed	Every 2–3 years	Ensures updated knowledge

✔ Choose someone who has real-world experience

A person who has worked at heights explains things much better than someone who has only read about it.

✔ Make sure they understand your jobsite

Fall protection on a roof is very different from fall protection on scaffolding or in a warehouse.

✔ Verify their credentials

Ask about:

• Certifications
• Years of experience
• Training background
• What systems they’ve worked with

✔ Watch how they teach

Good trainers are patient, clear, and hands-on.
A trainer who rushes through the class or avoids demonstrations should not be teaching fall protection.

✔ Ensure they can correct unsafe practices

They must have the authority to stop work, enforce rules, and make real changes.

Trainer Credential Types (Optional but Useful)

Credential	Issuing Body	What It Proves	Common For
OSHA Outreach Trainer	OSHA-authorized training centers	Ability to teach OSHA 10/30	General industry & construction
Fall Protection Competent Person Certificate	Safety training providers	Meets OSHA competency	Construction, telecom
Qualified Person Certification	Engineering bodies	Engineering-level understanding	Complex fall systems
Manufacturer Certification	3M, Honeywell, Guardian, etc.	Expert knowledge of brand products	Installers, inspectors

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, fall protection training isn’t just about ticking a box for OSHA. It’s about making sure workers go home safely every day. I’ve met workers who’ve had close calls, and many of them said the same thing:

“I didn’t know any better.”

Training changes that.

So whether you choose a competent person, a qualified expert, a third-party provider, or a manufacturer-certified trainer, the goal is the same: Give your team the knowledge and confidence to work safely at heights.

Your workers deserve the best training you can provide—and choosing the right person to deliver that training is the first and most important step.