Work-related falls kill or injure over 100,000 workers annually, in the United States alone. If workers are dispatched to heights of six feet or more above the ground, employers must ensure that a fall protection system is in place. No system is complete without the installation of permanent or temporary roof anchors, which are the most widely used component of a fall arrest system. Safety harnesses or lanyards attach to these anchors, which are designed to withstand significant force, if falls occur.
Roof anchors come in either permanent or temporary varieties. Permanent anchors come in P-ring, double D-ring, and claw varieties, each for use in different circumstances. Double D-rings attach to roof joists, while P-ring anchors attach to both joists and to vertical walls. Claw anchors, on the other hand, attach to joists which are not yet covered with solid surfaces. When attached to joists, anchors should be fitted with both screws and washers, to keep the roof from leaking. Also, painting an anchor, after installation, will make it virtually invisible.
Permanent roof anchors fall under OSHA jurisdiction. OSHA regulations state that each anchor must be compatible with other components of an arrest system. Once installed, permanent anchors should be clearly labeled, and should be annually re-inspected and re-certified. Also, permanent anchors must be immediately replaced, if a worker harnessed to that anchor falls.
Temporary anchors are often used for quick jobs. Because they are available in bulk, temporary anchors are more affordable than their permanent counterparts. Temporary anchors are available for all types, and all pitches, of roofs. Also, temporary anchors are designed to be easy to move, and may be re-used, after being re-inspected in accordance with guidelines.
OSHA requirements for temporary anchors are similar. Temporary anchors must be compatible with equipment, and should be installed specifically according to the manufacturer's guidelines. At the end of a job, temporary anchors should be removed from service, and inspected, before re-use. Like permanent anchors, temporary anchors must be removed from service, if subjected to fall arrest forces.
Anchor points should always be placed at or above a worker's shoulder level. This placement limits falls to fewer than six feet, and prevents swinging falls, which could cause injury to workers, if they strike obstructions while swinging. To make sure that workers do not fall while attaching harnesses to anchors, anchors should be easy to access.
Each roof anchor must be able to withstand a 5,000 pound static load. For maximum safety, installers should always double-check the anchor's weight rating, and should never overload the anchor, so that it is not dislodged from the roof surface. For best results, roof anchors should be purchased from specialized safety equipment retailers, and research should be conducted, to choose the most reliable brand.
Suspension equipment does not provide fall protection unless it is attached to something solid. Roof anchors provide a durable attachment point for safety window washing equipment, for the maximum protection of employees. Additional information about safety requirements may be obtained from a safety equipment dealer, or by consulting OSHA guidelines.
Roof anchors come in either permanent or temporary varieties. Permanent anchors come in P-ring, double D-ring, and claw varieties, each for use in different circumstances. Double D-rings attach to roof joists, while P-ring anchors attach to both joists and to vertical walls. Claw anchors, on the other hand, attach to joists which are not yet covered with solid surfaces. When attached to joists, anchors should be fitted with both screws and washers, to keep the roof from leaking. Also, painting an anchor, after installation, will make it virtually invisible.
Permanent roof anchors fall under OSHA jurisdiction. OSHA regulations state that each anchor must be compatible with other components of an arrest system. Once installed, permanent anchors should be clearly labeled, and should be annually re-inspected and re-certified. Also, permanent anchors must be immediately replaced, if a worker harnessed to that anchor falls.
Temporary anchors are often used for quick jobs. Because they are available in bulk, temporary anchors are more affordable than their permanent counterparts. Temporary anchors are available for all types, and all pitches, of roofs. Also, temporary anchors are designed to be easy to move, and may be re-used, after being re-inspected in accordance with guidelines.
OSHA requirements for temporary anchors are similar. Temporary anchors must be compatible with equipment, and should be installed specifically according to the manufacturer's guidelines. At the end of a job, temporary anchors should be removed from service, and inspected, before re-use. Like permanent anchors, temporary anchors must be removed from service, if subjected to fall arrest forces.
Anchor points should always be placed at or above a worker's shoulder level. This placement limits falls to fewer than six feet, and prevents swinging falls, which could cause injury to workers, if they strike obstructions while swinging. To make sure that workers do not fall while attaching harnesses to anchors, anchors should be easy to access.
Each roof anchor must be able to withstand a 5,000 pound static load. For maximum safety, installers should always double-check the anchor's weight rating, and should never overload the anchor, so that it is not dislodged from the roof surface. For best results, roof anchors should be purchased from specialized safety equipment retailers, and research should be conducted, to choose the most reliable brand.
Suspension equipment does not provide fall protection unless it is attached to something solid. Roof anchors provide a durable attachment point for safety window washing equipment, for the maximum protection of employees. Additional information about safety requirements may be obtained from a safety equipment dealer, or by consulting OSHA guidelines.
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