Roof Anchors and Fall Protection Anchor Points

Q: Can roof anchors be used for window washing?

Fall protection anchors and suspended-access anchors serve different purposes and may be subject to different design and inspection requirements. While anchors intended for window washing or suspended access equipment can look similar or identical to traditional fall protection anchors, the former have different load requirements and must be certified by a Qualified Person or Engineer before initial use.

Q: Do fall protection and roof anchors require inspections?

Anchor points should be inspected according to the system design, manufacturer instructions and the facility’s fall protection program. Traditional fall protection anchors must be inspected before each use by the worker and inspected annually by the employer’s Competent Person. Window washing or suspended access anchors must be inspected at the same frequencies but are also subject to certification every 10 years by a Qualified Person or Engineer. Any anchor involved in a fall event should be removed from service until it has been evaluated by a qualified party.

Q: Where should roof anchor points be installed?

Anchor locations should support the intended work area while limiting free-fall distance, excessive lifeline contact and swing-fall exposure. Placement should be determined through a fall hazard assessment and system design rather than convenience alone.

Q: How many workers can connect to one anchor point?

Single-point anchors can only be used by one worker at a time, as ANSI Z359 only allows one gated connection per anchor point. Horizontal lifeline systems can often be rated for two to four users, but workers must refer to manufacturer instructions to determine the system’s ratings & limitations.

Custom, Pre-Engineered, and Portable Anchor Options to Meet Your Application’s Needs

Fall protection anchor points provide a secure connection for workers using personal fall arrest or travel restraint equipment. Diversified Fall Protection offers permanent roof anchors, portable tie-off points and specialty anchorage systems for rooftops, industrial facilities, aircraft, structural trusses and other elevated work areas.

A properly designed anchor system must account for the supporting structure, roof construction, intended work area, available fall clearance and the equipment connected to it. Our specialists can help assess these factors and configure an anchor solution for your specific application.