Eric Hailston, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District’s lead quality assurance representative at the Fort Hunter Liggett Resident Office, describes the specifications and intended uses of a 6-foot freefall lanyard while attending a USACE Fall Protection Competent Person 24-Hour Course. Hailston and 14 other district employees completed the training Feb. 7-9, at the district’s Folsom Resident Office, just east of Sacramento. The three-day course was led by Brad Lein, Chief of Safety for USACE’s Europe District. Lein serves as the training program manager of the High Hazard Working Group for fall protection, which is sponsored by USACE headquarters. Following the 24 hours of instruction and demonstrations, the students, most of whom are construction representatives at USACE project sites across California and Utah, became qualified to provide vital fall protection guidance and oversight for hundreds of workers, helping save lives and avoiding injuries. Falls are the leading cause of fatalities on construction sites in the U.S. To reduce that risk, USACE requires the presence of at least one competent person in fall protection whenever employees are working at height, and completion of the three-day course is a prerequisite to serve as that person. (U.S. Army photo by Ken Wright)