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Weighted Base Anchors

Weighted Base Anchors

A freestanding counterweight anchor can provide a temporary tie-off point for personnel performing work on flat roofs or structures.  45 pound plates are added to rubber trays that are connected to a shock absorbing tie-off post. Once set-up is complete, simply attach your shock absorbing lanyard, self retracting lifeline or rope grab and lifeline and you are ready to go.  Weighted base anchor systems require no penetration of the roof’s surface, reducing the possibilities of roof leaks and voided roof warranties.   Weighted base anchor systems can be used on concrete, single ply membrane, bitumen membrane, asphalt sanded and asphalt stone roofs with a maximum of 5 degrees of slope/pitch.

We are a complete turnkey provider of OSHA compliant fall protection systems and have years of experience designing and installing weighted base single point anchors.  Contact us for expert assistance with your fall arrest, fall restraint and fall protection safety requirements

 

Design Considerations

Weighted Base Anchor Design Features This anchor incorporates a revolutionary shock absorbing system called LEAP™. The LEAP™ post (with tie-off point) has an integral energy absorber that deploys in a controlled manner to absorb the forces generated during a fall. This specialized design provides added safety to the attached worker and better distributes the forces to the anchor and structure. By limiting the forces this way, the integrity of the roof is also preserved. Due to the modular design of weighted base anchors, installers will never have to lift more than 45 lbs. (20.3kg). In some applications, the entire system can be lifted (by forklift or crane) into place for instant set-up and use.

OSHA Regulations

  • Weighted Base Single Point Anchor OSHA Regulations
    • 1926.502(d)(15) Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached, or shall be designed, installed, and used as follows:
    • 1926.502(d)(15)(i) as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two; and
    • 1926.502(d)(15)(ii) under the supervision of a qualified person.
  • Personal Fall Arrest Systems: System performance criteria. In addition to the general requirements in paragraph (c) of this section, the employer must ensure that personal fall arrest systems: 1910.140(d)(1)(i)
    • Limit the maximum arresting force on the employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN); 1910.140(d)(1)(ii)
    • Bring the employee to a complete stop and limit the maximum deceleration distance the employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.1 m); 1910.140(d)(1)(iii)
    • Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of the employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system; and... 1910.140(d)(1)(iv)
    • Sustain the employee within the system/strap configuration without making contact with the employee's neck and chin area. 1910.140(d)(1)(v)
      If the personal fall arrest system meets the criteria and protocols in appendix D of this subpart, and is being used by an employee having a combined body and tool weight of less than 310 pounds (140 kg), the system is considered to be in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section. If the system is used by an employee having a combined body and tool weight of 310 pounds (140kg) or more and the employer has appropriately modified the criteria and protocols in appendix D, then the system will be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii). 1910.140(d)(2)   The employer must ensure that:
    • On any horizontal lifeline that may become a vertical lifeline, the device used to connect to the horizontal lifeline is capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline. 1910.140(d)(2)(ii)
    • Personal fall arrest systems are rigged in such a manner that the employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m) or contact a lower level. A free fall may be more than 6 feet (1.8 m) provided the employer can demonstrate the manufacturer designed the system to allow a free fall of more than 6 feet and tested the system to ensure a maximum arresting force of 1,800 pounds (8 kN) is not exceeded. 1910.140(d)(3)
    • Body belts. Body belts are prohibited as part of a personal fall arrest system.

Related Documents

Did You Know?

There were 6,271 cited Fall Protection OSHA standards violations in 2015?