Although OSHA regulations require employers to provide work environments free of fall hazards, not every application requires an expensive, custom-engineered solution. We set out to create a cost-effective alternative to engineered systems to ensure every employee who works at heights would return home to their families—safe and sound–at the end of each shift.

The solution, the Connect Safe Portable Truss Anchor, installs quickly and safely into your building’s truss system, creating a cost-effective, OSHA-compliant tie-off point for personnel working at heights. Unlike permanently attached fall protection systems that can cost thousands of dollars, the Connect Safe Portable Truss Anchor is easily moved throughout your entire facility where and when you need it.

Diversified Fall Protection is excited to announce that The Portable Truss Anchor was selected as a finalist for the 2020 BWC Safety Innovation Awards. “The program recognizes innovations that result in risk reduction, cost savings, and potential application to other workplaces, industries, or operations.” Being recognized for this award is both humbling and exciting for DFP. We are honored to be able to share our safety innovation on a larger platform which will, in turn, help us keep even more workers safe while working at height.

Installation for the Portable Truss Anchor is fast and easy. Just thread the anchor to the telescoping extension pole, attach the SRL, and position the anchor between the bottom truss cord angles, rotate 90°, and set on the angles. The resulting portable fall arrest system allows the system to be used at multiple locations throughout your facility.

Truss anchorage locations must be approved by a safety engineer or a qualified person. They must meet all of the requirements noted in the Connect Safe Permanent Truss Anchor Instruction Manual. A few critical notes on anchor placement: The anchor should not be installed at the end of a truss or between the first and second-panel points. The Portable Truss Anchor should be installed as close as possible to a panel point, not between two-panel points.

For a detailed look at installation, we have created an installation video for your reference.

To ensure safe operation of your portable fall protection system, it is important to carefully inspect your building’s truss system and adhere to the following guidelines:

• Bracing shall be straight, undamaged, and meet the original design intent
• The span and loading of the truss impact the allowable concentrated load that may be applied to the truss. It must be capable of withstanding a concentrated load of 900 pounds with a safety factor of two (2) for certified anchorages and 5000 pounds for non-certified anchorages
• No more than one user is permitted at a time per truss
• Do not attach to a truss that is smaller than 18 inches in height
• An acceptable truss must be designed according to the Steel Joist Institute (SJI) and be a K, KCS, LH, or DLH series truss
• It is vital that the truss system is inspected by an engineer or qualified person for structural integrity which includes (but is not limited to) corrosion, end connections, size, load capacity, welds, existing loading, bracing, span, or any other unsafe conditions

If you have an application that requires a temporary fall protection anchor point, the Portable Truss Anchor may be an ideal solution.  If you have questions about the Portable Truss Anchor, working at heights or general fall protection, please reach out to one of our fall protection specialists.