This ERTP Health & Safety course is designed for EPA's OSC's, Inspectors, and/or individuals who have the potential to encounter fall hazards as a part of their job duties in the field.  

This multi-day health & safety course provides Fall Protection training that relates to “High Climbs” for EPA employees who oversee site work and/or make field visits.  This course expands on both Physical Hazards Awareness and Planning and Preparation for Field Activities where Fall Protection safety is required as identified in 29 CFR 1926 – Subpart M, EPA Order 1440.2, Emergency Responder Health & Safety Manual (ERHSM), and at the OSHA link, here. A "Fall Protection Competent Person" identifies a person who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

On the last day of the course participation in field exercises may vary depending on comfortability with heights.  Exercises may include, but are not limited to:

• climbing a tall structure with personal fall arrest system equipment (PFAS) for a 24-60 foot tank
• putting on a climbing harness
• practicing rescue procedures: with harness, lanyard, and tripod. Swing freely in the air, hanging from the tripod, in a simulation of what would happen, (if for instance the ladder rung was compromised while climbing up or down a tall structure)

After completing this refresher course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the definitions of fall prevention, fall restraint, and fall arrest
• Understand the requirements of fall protection and when Fall Protection is required
• Recognize the hazards associated with fall protection
• Understand Fall Protection methods and the Order of Fall Protection Competency
• Know how to inspect and wear personal fall arrest system equipment (PFAS)
• Know the requirements for anchorage points and how to tie off to them
• Understand how to plan for, and tailor, Fall Protection applicable to site conditions and rescue planning
• Understand OSHA requirements of fixed ladders
• Know by the end of the training how to:
  • climb safely
  • recognize fall hazards
  • assess the risk of falling, and
  • recognize when a structure is too unsafe to ascend

At the end of the course, a short exam will occur.  Full participation for all dates and times scheduled for the course is required to earn the Fall Protection Competent Person Training certificate of completion.

For general information about this ERTP course, contact: 

Shelly Norland, (702) 784-8004, norland.shelly@epa.gov

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EPA/Region 9 – The EPA Region 9 staff have “PRIORITY” registration for this scheduled "Pilot" course

This class is scheduled from 8AM to 5PM Pacific Time Zone on May 9-10, 2023.  Class participation details will be provided to Trainex enrolled/registered participants for this course through receipt of a separate Outlook calendar event invitation. 

Class participation details:

1)      Trainex website registrations- All course enrollment registrations for this course will occur at Trainex.org.

2)      Receipt of Outlook calendar event email- Upon ERTP’s receipt of the participants Trainex.org site class registration, the participant will receive an Outlook calendar email from:  ertp-h&s@epa.gov

3)      Together completion of items 1) and 2) above completes the course registration process.  It is the course participants responsibility to carefully review the initial calendar invite received and follow directions provided, as well as monitor incoming updated Outlook calendar event emails that identify changes or updated information for the course logistics, participant requirements, and/or other information.  For registered participants only, training participation instructions will be provided thru receipt of emailed Outlook calendar event updates several days prior to the course start date. 

Full attendance, participations in interactive quizzes and polls, and answering 75% of the test questions are required to receive the course completion certificate.*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.COURSE  MATERIALS

Per EPA direction, IN COMPLIANCE WITH Executive Order 13589 -  Promoting Efficient Spending, Section 5; the ERTP will not be regularly printing or proving students hard copies of course materials.  Manuals are no longer issued in class. Students will be provided information on where they can go to download a copy to bring to class.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – Actions required by EPA staff for this item that are specific to this training event/course: 

Conference Spending Requirements (known as the “5170”) - Applicable to all ERTP in-person courses & training dates – All EPA staff travel spending will be closely monitored and scrutinized for 5170 cost-monitoring requirements.  All EPA staff registering for the above course registration links are requested to notify the EPA/Region staff identified at the bottom of this webpage in advance and provide the preliminary cost estimate details in writing via email.  The Region POC and/or other EPA staff are responsible for tracking EPA 5170 spending for this training event.  Travel spending includes all funds to be paid for by EPA.  The 5170 conference spending requirement is not applicable to participants external to EPA, where EPA is not funding travel.

EPA travel spending “Project Code for this training event:  The unique project code for this training event is:  ME0909OO

****Participants are responsible for ensuring this code, once it is assigned, is used in the Site Project field under the Accounting tab in Concur.  This code must be used for all travel authorizations, travel vouchers, and local travel vouchers related to this specific training course event.  For the code shown as “TBD”, upon receipt of OCFO’s approval this webpage will be updated to add the approved code.  For TA’s approved in advance, it is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure the TA is amended to add the correct project code(s) and/or MUST be added to the final Travel Voucher.  For some back-to-back delivered courses, two different unique travel codes may be required.  If needed, your FCO/Funds Certifying Official can provide assistance to ensure the code is entered correctly in Concur. 

****Note:  ERTP’s training contractors are NOT involved in EPA’s internal 5170 conference spending processes or approvals.  All 5170 related questions are to be forwarded to the Region course POC, or Region Training Coordinator, and/or the EPA ERTP Contracting Officer Representatives (COR’s).

Course Dates and Times:  May 9-10, 2023, from 8AM-5PM Pacific Time (PT)

Course is available