In a letter of interpretation addressed to the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), OSHA indicated that fall protection trainers who are compliant with ANSI/ASSP Z359 (fall protection/arrest) and ANSI/ASSP Z490 (OSH training) will meet the definition of qualified in the agency's Walking and Working Surfaces rule.

"This will enable more competent trainers to meet the nation’s fall protection training needs to keep workers safe," says Marc Harkins, chair of ISEA’s Fall Protection Group and product group manager for MSA Safety. Randall Wingfield, chair of the Z359 Accredited Standards Committee and president of Gravitec Systems Inc., adds, "Requiring workers at height to be appropriately educated and trained and now having the ANSI Z359.2 requirements of competent person and trainers referenced by federal regulations will initiate definitive training."

To help members better understand the complexities involved in this issue, ASSE has developed an issue analysis that includes links to the OSHA letter of interpretation and a legal opinion on the development from the Law Firm of Adele Abrams. Contact ASSP's Technical Services staff to request the document.