Falls remain one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips, trips, and falls contribute to more than 300,000 nonfatal injuries and over 800 workplace deaths in a single year. This online Fall Protection for General Industry course provides workers with a practical understanding of how falls occur and the controls needed to prevent them, following OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces rule.

The training explains OSHA requirements for identifying fall hazards, implementing effective protective systems, and ensuring that employees understand how to work safely at heights. Learners explore different types of fall protection systems, strategies for eliminating hazards, and each employer’s responsibility to create a safe work environment. By the end of the course, participants will know how to recognize fall risks, choose the right protection method, and apply safe practices that help prevent injuries.

Fall protection in general industry focuses on preventing slips, trips, and falls in workplaces such as warehouses, manufacturing facilities, service environments, and maintenance areas. Understanding the causes of falls, the equipment available, and the regulatory requirements helps workers make informed decisions and reduces the risk of life-changing injuries. This training provides the foundational knowledge needed to stay safe while working on elevated surfaces, ladders, platforms, and other walking-working surfaces.

Potential Hazards

• Recognize common fall hazards found in general industry settings
• Understand how unsafe conditions and behaviours contribute to fall incidents
• Learn how injuries occur when fall hazards are not controlled

Employer Requirements

• Review employer duties under OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces rule
• Understand hazard assessment, training requirements, and documentation
• Learn how employers must protect workers from known fall risks

What’s New with Fall Protection

• Explore regulatory updates and changes to OSHA fall protection standards
• Understand how new rules impact work practices and equipment selection

Guardrail Systems

• Learn when guardrails are required
• Understand installation, height, and design criteria
• Review how guardrails help prevent falls at edges and elevated areas

Ladder Safety Systems

• Identify approved ladder safety systems and their intended uses
• Understand requirements for fixed ladders and climbing protection

Safety Net Systems

• Review situations where safety nets are appropriate
• Understand installation criteria and minimum performance requirements

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Explore harnesses, lanyards, connectors, anchor points, and lifelines
• Learn how PPE supports fall arrest and restraint systems

Choosing the Right Fall Protection

• Evaluate hazards to select the appropriate protection method
• Understand which systems work best for specific job tasks

Inspecting, Using, and Storing Fall Protection

• Perform pre-use inspections to ensure equipment reliability
• Follow proper donning, connecting, and system setup procedures
• Learn how to store and maintain equipment for future use

Performing Maintenance

• Understand when equipment must be removed from service
• Learn best practices for cleaning, documenting, and maintaining fall protection systems

This online Fall Protection for General Industry training takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Learners may start, pause, and resume the course as needed.

To pass this course, learners must achieve a minimum score of 80% on the final assessment. Participants may attempt the exam up to three times. Short knowledge checks throughout the training help reinforce key concepts.

After successfully completing the course, learners can download and print a digital certificate of completion for workplace records and compliance purposes.