ABC Alabama to Launch Fall Protection Institute at ACT in August 2025
In a bold step to address one of the construction industry’s most pressing safety challenges, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama (ABC Alabama), in partnership with 3M Fall Protection and BL Harbert International, is set to launch the ACT Fall Protection Institute in August 2025. Housed at the Academy of Craft Training’s (ACT) Birmingham campus, the Institute will provide advanced fall protection training to high school students enrolled in ACT’s construction-trade programs, as well as continuing education and certification opportunities for ABC member contractors statewide.
3M Fall Protection courses will also attract companies from across the Southeast seeking competent person training, authorized person training, and additional safety courses, including confined space training.
This initiative comes in direct response to alarming national data: in 2023, slips, trips, and falls accounted for over 39% of construction fatalities, making them the leading cause of death on job sites. Recognizing this critical need, ACT and ABC Alabama partnered with 3M Fall Protection and BL Harbert International to create a hands-on, real-world training environment that moves fall safety out of the classroom and into a simulated workplace setting.
The centerpiece of the Institute will be a state-of-the-art training tower designed to replicate actual job site conditions. This facility will enable students and professionals alike to earn industry-recognized fall protection certifications. For ACT students, the certification will be fully integrated into their curriculum—complementing their trade-specific NCCER instruction and OSHA 10-Hour safety training—ensuring they graduate not only skilled but also trained in jobsite safety.
Beyond Birmingham, the initiative includes a mobile training unit that will deliver fall protection instruction to ACT campuses in Mobile and North Alabama, expanding access to critical safety education across the state.
“This is more than just a training program—it’s a commitment to building a culture of safety from the ground up,” said Todd Walker, Vice President of ABC Alabama. “Our goal is to ensure that every ACT student enters the workforce with the knowledge and tools needed to stay safe and succeed, while also offering expanded training opportunities for our industry partners.”
As the construction industry continues to grow, efforts like the Fall Protection Institute will play a key role in shaping a safe, skilled, and sustainable workforce—one that meets both the immediate needs of employers and the long-term health of Alabama’s construction economy.
