Fall Protection Assessment Specialist

Overview A safety support role is being sourced in connection with active and upcoming work at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The role supports a system-wide Fall Protection Inspection and Assessment of WMATA stations, maintenance facilities, and administrative properties. The position requires candidates local to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Position:

Fall Protection Inspector and Assessor Position Summary The Fall Protection Inspector and Assessor will support a system-wide fall protection inspection and assessment of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) work environments, including 98 stations, 9 Bus maintenance facilities, 9 Rail maintenance facilities, and administrative, Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD), and other facilities identified during project kickoff. The Inspector and Assessor will inventory fall-risk work areas, develop and apply a fall protection inspection checklist, perform competent person inspections of existing fall protection equipment, document findings with photos and reports, and support development of short-term and long-term remediation strategies that meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) deadlines, including the 2036 OSHA fixed ladder compliance deadline.

Position Details Client:

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

Reports To:

Project Manager (PM)

Location:

Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (on-site at WMATA stations, maintenance facilities, vent shafts, elevator shafts, fan shafts, rooftops, and station canopies). Local candidates only.

Number of Openings:

1

Engagement Length:

12 to 14 months for Phase 1; Phase 1 to be completed by April 2027. The timeline beyond Phase 1 has been laid out in the Scope of Work (SOW) but may change.

Start Date:

As soon as possible (ASAP)

Total Project Timeline:

13 to 14.5 months across three phases: Phase 1 (3 months) for kickoff, inventory, prioritization, training, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) acquisition, scheduling, and checklist development; Phase 2 (10 months) for inspections across Bus and Rail maintenance facilities, administrative and Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) facilities, and 98 stations; Phase 3 (6 weeks) for short-term and long-term resolutions, annual inspection cost estimates, and project close-out. Key Responsibilities Inventory the agency's general work areas and associated job duties that involve fall risk, including roofs, canopies, vent shafts, elevator shafts, fan shafts, and station structures. Examine and prioritize work areas and specific locations by fall risk, based on worker access frequency, infrastructure age, height or depth, difficulty recovering an injured person, and locations with known issues such as weak ladders. Help create and maintain a Fall Protection Inspection checklist covering fall protection signage, grab bars, ladders and steps, self-closing swing gates, overhead fall hazards, other notable hazards such as shaky ladders or missing ladder rungs, existing fall protection equipment and systems, and the condition of that equipment. Inspect and assess locations in phases based on the prioritized list, and provide written documentation and recommendations. Complete competent person inspections of existing fall protection equipment during the assessment, and determine actions for identified hazards as inspections are completed. Produce inspection reports with photos that summarize key discoveries. Contribute to a fall protection inventory documenting where fall hazards exist, what fall protection equipment is currently installed or required for safe entry, what equipment or devices need to be installed to bring Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) into compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and the hierarchy of controls, and priority rankings (for example, high, medium, low). Support strategy development for short-term and long-term resolutions that meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards based on inspection results. Support development of annual inspection cost estimates and options for how Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) may conduct ongoing annual fall protection inspections. Coordinate with WMATA Facilities and other Metro escorts. Escort models include shadowing existing work crews and working with dedicated escort resources for specific locations; a combination of both is expected. Participate in planning discussions on drone-supported inspection practices, if and where appropriate. Required Qualifications Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) certification is required for this task. Working knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) latest Fall Protection Standards, specifically Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.28. Risk assessment knowledge. Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to produce inspection reports, checklists, and recommendation memoranda. Background as a safety practitioner, or an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) background. Physically able to climb ladders and steps, walk track, and access roofs from stairway entry points. The role includes walking some track to reach vent shafts. Ability and willingness to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and complete Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) training and qualifications, including PPE training, fall protection training, Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) training, and any other training deemed necessary by WMATA. Local residency in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Preferred Qualifications Certified Safety Professional (CSP) accreditation, or Graduate Safety Professional (GSP) accreditation. Prior competent person experience inspecting fall protection systems in a transit, infrastructure, or heavy-industrial environment. Experience producing photo-supported inspection reports and prioritized remediation inventories. Familiarity with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 2036 fixed ladder compliance deadline and related Walking/Working Surfaces rule revisions issued in 2017 and 2018. Exposure to drone-supported inspection practices. Physical Requirements Climb fixed and portable ladders. Climb stairs and access rooftops from stairway entry points. Walk on active and inactive track to reach vent shafts and other elevated or below-grade work locations. Work at heights and in confined or shaft environments while wearing required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and fall protection equipment. Work Environment This is a heavily field-based role across the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system. The Inspector and Assessor will work above-ground and underground, on rooftops, in vent and elevator shafts, on station canopies, and inside Bus and Rail maintenance facilities. The Inspector and Assessor will be escorted by WMATA Facilities personnel and other Metro support staff as required by the project plan, and will follow all WMATA safety and Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) requirements at all times.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$110,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): Are you able to travel to various WMATA yards? Are you physically able to climb ladders and okay with confined spaces?

Education:

High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

Risk Assessment :

5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

Certified Safety Professional or GSP (Preferred) RWP (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Washington, DC 20024 (Required) Willingness to travel: 75% (Required)

Work Location:

In person