Mark has been active in the safety industry since 1975. Mark graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. in Marketing in 1972, and received his MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1976.

 

Mark Damon has been directly involved in fall protection and fall protection training since 1975....that's over 40 years! Mark was trained in fall protection by Clarence Rose……the true pioneer in the fall protection safety industry. While with Rose, Mark served on the OSHA Committee responsible for the revision of fall protection standards, and worked with the United States Navy to develop their fall protection standards. He has served on an ANSI A10.24 subcommittee for fall protection standards and has taught at the OSHA training institute on fall protection. Mark has also served as an instructor for the OSHA 500 and 501 courses. He was a trainer for Capital Safety (DBI/Sala) for several years. Mark also produced a top selling fall protection training DVD entitled, "How Safe Is That Safety Belt?" and in 2015 published an updated version.

 

He has worked with such great companies as: Rose Manufacturing Company, Miller Safety Products, Capital Safety (DBI Sala) ........All the leaders in the fall protection equipment and fall protection training industry.

 

Mark has performed fall protection training for many companies, including: Boeing, Spirit Aerospace, Peter Kiewit, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, NCRA Refinery, Raytheon, Kansas City Power and Light, OSHA, Harley Davidson, Western Resources, Schwan Foods, Georgia Pacific, Bartlett Grain, BP Amoco, Cargill, and 3M.

 

Mark stays current on all the standard changes and proposed changes and teaches many classes throughout the year to maintain his edge in this unique field of expertise.  Mark is also the Senior Fall Protection Specialist for ELLIS Fall Safety Solutions in Wilmington, DE.  His unique style and sense of humor can easily reach your worker so they can better understand the fall hazards they are exposed to, and how. Instead of solely relying on OSHA or an ANSI standard; give your employees the effective training they can rely on. Contact us for more information on Fall Protection Training Today!

 

So what makes a person competent or qualified to teach fall protection training courses?  There is no standard definition or requirement.  So, wouldn't you rather choose someone with Mark's extensive background and experience in fall protection?

 

The term "Competent Person" is used in many OSHA standards and documents. An OSHA "competent person" is defined as "one 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 authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them" By way of training and/or experience, a competent person is knowledgeable of applicable standards, is capable of identifying workplace hazards relating to the specific operation, and has the authority to correct them. Some standards add additional specific requirements which must be met by the competent person.

 

There are currently no specific standards regarding competent persons.

 

1926.32(i)

"Designated person" means "authorized person" as defined in paragraph (d) of this section.

 

1926.32(d)

"Authorized person" means a person approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location or locations at the jobsite.

 

1926.32(f)

"Competent person" means one 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 authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

 

1926.32(m)

"Qualified" means one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.