Understanding Fall Protection Roles: Authorized and Competent Persons

Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the workplace. To protect workers, especially those working at height, safety roles must be clearly designated and defined.

 

OSHA and ANSI have identified two key roles in fall protection: Authorized Person and Competent Person. Each role comes with specific responsibilities, and having trained individuals in these roles helps ensure a safer job site.

Roles as Defined by OSHA and ANSI

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a US government agency that creates and enforces workplace safety laws. Its regulations are legally required and must be followed by employers.

 

ANSI (American National Standards Institute), on the other hand, is a private, non-profit organization that develops voluntary safety and quality standards through industry consensus.

 

While OSHA sets the minimum legal requirements, ANSI often goes further by offering best practices and detailed technical guidelines. In short, OSHA tells you what you must do by law, while ANSI recommends what you should do to achieve the highest level of safety.

Authorized Person

OSHA defines an Authorized Person as “a person approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or to be at a specific location or area at the jobsite” [29 CFR 1926.32(d)].

 

 

In layman’s terms, an Authorized Person is trained to recognize fall hazards and knows how to use fall protection equipment properly. He or she performs work at heights and must follow the safety plan created by the designated Competent Person.

 

ANSI defines an Authorized Person as “A person who is assigned by the employer to perform duties at a location where the person will be exposed to a fall hazard” (ANSI Z359.0).

 

Simply put, ANSI reiterates that an Authorized Person must be trained to follow safety procedures and understand how to use fall protection equipment.

Competent Person

 

OSHA defines a Competent Person as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards...and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them” [29 CFR 1926.32(f)].

 

 

This means a Competent Person has experience and authority. They can recognize hazards and have the power to correct them. This person often leads fall safety briefings with workers before work-at-height begins, providing guidance and oversight to ensure fall protection systems are used correctly.

 

Similarly, ANSI defines a Competent Person as one “who, through training and knowledge, is capable of identifying fall hazards and has the authority to take corrective action” (ANSI Z359.0). This person identifies hazards and helps enforce safety policies and educates other workers.

Other Roles

Authorized and Competent Persons are not the only roles relevant to fall protection.

 

For example, a designated Equipment Inspector in fall protection helps keep workers safe by checking gear like harnesses, lanyards, and anchors to ensure they’re in good condition and used correctly. They conduct periodic, detailed inspections of workers’ fall protection equipment.

 

 

Another example is a Qualified Person. OSHA defines this role as “a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing...has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or the project” [29 CFR 1926.32(m)]. In other words, a Qualified Person designs fall protection systems. He or she uses engineering knowledge to create solutions that protect workers and comply with safety standards.

 

ANSI defines a Qualified Person similarly as one “with a recognized degree or professional certificate with extensive knowledge, training and experience in the fall protection and rescue field who is capable of designing, analyzing, evaluating, and specifying fall protection and rescue systems to the extent required by these standards.” (ANSI Z359.2).

Certified Fall Protection Training

Proper training is essential for each role to be effective. Depending on the role, training can range from 4 to 24 hours—with 8 hours equaling one day. Retraining is required every two years minimum.

Authorized Person Training

 

Authorized Person training typically ranges from 4-8 hours depending on depth.

 

A basic Authorized Person course spans 4 hours and teaches the fundamentals of fall protection. Workers learn to identify hazards, use equipment correctly, and follow procedures.

 

A deeper 8-hour Advanced Authorized Person course is for workers who want more in-depth knowledge. It covers system selection, hazard evaluation, anchor points, connectors, and rescue planning.

Competent Person Training

A typical Competent Person course spans 16 hours and provides detailed training for those who supervise or manage safety. It includes fall hazard identification, system planning, equipment inspection, and rescue strategies.

 

For government or military projects requiring EM 385-1-1 compliance, a 24-hour Competent Person course meets those special standards. It covers additional protocols and documentation requirements.

Other Roles

The Equipment Inspector course covers a strict and narrow scope. As such, it’s only 4 hours in length, and is for workers responsible for detailed inspection of harnesses, lanyards, connectors, and lifelines. It ensures equipment is safe, serviceable, and compliant.

Designated Roles Go a Long Way

Assigning and training the right people for fall protection roles keeps job sites safer. Authorized Persons perform the work. Competent Persons supervise and solve problems. With proper training and clear responsibilities, every worker can go home safely at the end of the day.

 

Ready to take your fall protection knowledge to the next level? Visit FT-Xpert Training to explore a full range of Authorized and Competent Person training courses designed for both general workers and supervisors. You’ll also find programs for professional trainers—perfect for independent contractors or in-house instructors supporting ongoing safety training within their organizations.