Fixing the Gaps: Ensuring Fall Protection Training Supports Women

Despite more women than ever working at height across construction, utilities, and manufacturing, most fall protection training still assumes a “one-size-fits-all” approach. That mindset leaves real safety gaps—especially when it comes to harness fit and trainer awareness.

OSHA now requires properly fitting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for every worker, and ANSI Z359.2 strengthens the push for inclusive, competency-based instruction. But those standards only work when trainers understand how to apply them on the ground. Let’s look at how to close the gap and make fall protection training safer and more representative for everyone.

Contents:

• Why Women’s Safety Needs Are Overlooked in Fall Protection Training
• ANSI Z359.2 Training Requirements for Inclusive Programs
• Harness Sizing and Adjustment for Proper Fit
• Inclusive Fall Protection Training Practices
• Women’s Safety Harness Fit and Product Innovations
• Building Training Programs That Close the Gap

Why Women’s Safety Needs Are Overlooked in Fall Protection Training

Most standard fall protection training programs were built years ago, when worksites were overwhelmingly male. Many of those legacy assumptions—like how a harness should fit or how demonstrations are delivered—still linger today.

In practice, that means trainers often demonstrate fit and adjustment using only “standard” unisex gear. Women then must adapt the equipment on their own, with little explanation of how strap placement might differ for them.

Common oversights include:

• Limited discussion about harness fit for smaller frames and shorter torsos.
• Training visuals and examples that rarely show women at height.

These gaps may seem small, but they can lower confidence and affect real-world safety performance. And that’s something we can—and should—fix through better fall protection training for women.

ANSI Z359.2 Training Requirements for Inclusive Programs

While OSHA sets the rule that every employee must be trained in the systems they use, ANSI Z359.2 goes a step further. It defines the minimum requirements for a comprehensive managed fall protection program, including how training should be structured for different roles—from the Authorized Person to the Competent Person and trainer.

For training programs, that means:

• Each worker must receive instruction and evaluation specific to their gear, including harness sizing and adjustment.
• Demonstrations must reflect the full range of equipment used on the jobsite.

When trainers align these steps with OSHA PPE proper fit requirements, they’re not just checking a compliance box—they’re ensuring every worker gets instruction that protects them.

Harness Sizing and Adjustment for Proper Fit

A poorly fitted harness can create painful pressure points, restrict movement, or fail to arrest a fall correctly. During training, harness adjustment shouldn’t be a quick demonstration—it should be a structured, hands-on session.

Key fit checkpoints every trainer should cover include:

• Dorsal D-ring placement: centered between the shoulder blades.
• Chest strap placement: positioned across the mid-chest, never across the bust line.
• Leg strap adjustment: secure but not constricting; always checked for movement and comfort.
• Sub-pelvic strap positioning: properly aligned to distribute arrest forces safely.

If you’re teaching a class of 20 workers, you need gear in multiple sizes—not just smalls or larges. Otherwise, you can’t verify that everyone truly understands how to achieve a proper fit.

Fit-focused instruction reinforces OSHA’s PPE fit guidance and builds the muscle memory workers need to stay safe in real conditions.

Inclusive Fall Protection Training Practices

Making training inclusive isn’t about rewriting the rulebook—it’s about making sure everyone has a real opportunity to learn.

Practical ways to close the gap include:

• Integrate inclusive fall protection training modules that highlight fit, comfort, and confidence for all participants.
• Create feedback loops and post-training fit evaluations to capture real-world experiences and challenges.
• Use multilingual training materials and diverse visuals to reflect the modern workforce.

When inclusion becomes part of everyday instruction, not just a side topic, it strengthens both engagement and retention—and makes the jobsite safer for everyone.

Women’s Safety Harness Fit and Product Innovations

Harness technology has come a long way. Manufacturers are now designing gear specifically for women’s proportions—shorter torsos, different shoulder geometry, and adjusted leg strap patterns for comfort and security.

FallTech’s women’s safety harness line was engineered with these differences in mind while maintaining full ANSI and OSHA compliance. Trainers who incorporate this equipment into demonstrations send a clear message: the right fit isn’t a luxury—it’s essential safety gear.

Demonstrating proper fit on a women’s harness also helps normalize the discussion around body types and comfort—something that ultimately benefits all workers.

Building Training Programs That Close the Gap

Creating inclusive programs doesn’t require reinventing the wheel—it starts with a few key steps:

• Audit current training for fit content, visual representation, and inclusive participation.
• Add fit verification checklists and continuous refresher training cadence to reinforce learning.
• Ensure Competent Person training includes PPE fit awareness so supervisors can identify and correct poor fit in the field.
• Reference Authorized vs Competent Persons fall protection distinctions clearly to avoid role confusion.

When organizations treat inclusion as part of safety excellence—not just compliance—they build stronger, more confident teams.

Closing the gap means every worker gets what they deserve: gear that fits, instruction that empowers, and workplaces that protect everyone at height.

Start closing the gap by upgrading your training plan. The FT-Xpert Certified Trainer Program provides you with expert-led instruction to help you deliver effective fall safety training for everyone.