Anchorages

Interpreted Requirements

Templates, Examples

§         The compatibility between anchorage connectors and anchorages shall be considered when designing or selecting an anchorage.

§         The exposure of anchorage connectors to sharp edges, abrasive surfaces and physical hazards such as thermal, electrical and chemical sources shall be considered when designing or selecting an anchorage.

Link to More Information on Anchorage Connectors

§         For Fall Arrest Anchorages:

o   Their design, selection, installation, and certification shall be performed under the supervision of a Qualified Person.

o   They shall be capable of withstanding forces that are at least two times the maximum arrest force per person attached to the anchorage.

o   The Qualified Person shall:

·          Analyze,

·          Design,

·          Determine a safe location where and how to connect to those anchorages, and

·          Consider the forces generated by arresting a fall and the impact on the structural members to which the system is attached.

·          Ensure that the limitations of the system are included in fall protection procedures as described in paragraph 4.3.5 of this standard when designing, selecting, or certifying an anchorage not capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per attached person or two times the maximum arrest force.

·          Certified fall arrest anchorages shall be used exclusively for fall arrest loads and shall be marked to prevent other uses.

These forces include total existing and anticipated loading, load path, structural member strengths, connection and support strengths, stability, clearance requirements, swing fall, and rescue deflection of the system.

§         Positioning Anchorages shall have:

o         A minimum equivalent static working load capacity of 1,000 pounds (4.5 kN), or

o         Two times the maximum restraint force (MAF), whichever is less.

§         Restraint and Travel Restraint Anchorages shall have:

o         A minimum equivalent static working load capacity of 1,000 pounds (4.5 kN) or,

o         Two times the maximum restraint force (MAF), whichever is less.

§         Horizontal Lifeline Anchorages shall:

o   Be certified and designed, prior to use, by a Qualified Person with experience and training in designing and using horizontal lifeline systems.

o   Be capable of withstanding loads, applied in the directions permitted by the personal fall arrest system, of at least 2.0 times the maximum arresting forces (MAF).

§         Have their anchorage strength requirements multiplied by the maximum arresting forces (MAF) of the personal all arrest systems attached to the anchorage with a safety factor of at least 2.0 per Authorized Person when more than one personal fall arrest system is attached to the horizontal lifeline.

§         Rescue Anchorages shall:

o   Be capable of sustaining static loads applied in the direction permitted by the rescue system of at least 3,000 pounds (13.3 kN) when designed as a rescue system only, or

o   Be capable of sustaining loads, applied in the directions permitted by the personal fall arrest system, of at least 2.0 times the maximum arresting forces (MAF) per attached person.

o   Have stabilized anchorage connections to prevent unwanted movement or disengagement of the rescue system from the anchorage.  Rescue systems shall be load-tested before a live load is placed on the system.

§         Anchorage connectors for rescue systems shall not be attached to anchorages where such attachment would reduce the anchorage (rescue) system allowable capacity below the applicable building code requirements.

§         Inspection, Certification and Re-certification of Anchorages:

o   Anchorages shall be inspected:

§          By the Authorized Person prior to each use and,

§          By a Qualified Person and/or Competent Person annually and in accordance with the manufacturer's or Qualified Person's instructions.

§          For any cracks in the structure around the anchorage or if the connection is unstable or loose.

o         A fall protection anchorage shall be taken out of service when:

§          Any inspection reveals that it may no longer serve the required function,

§          It may be unsafe due to damage or wear, or

§          The required inspection interval has been exceeded. 

o         An anchorage taken out of service for exceeding the inspection interval may be returned to service after a satisfactory inspection has been performed by a competent person.

o         Certification and re-certification of anchorages shall be field-verified by a Qualified Person. 

§         A Qualified Person shall certify the structural integrity of the anchorages.

§         Selection of Safe Anchorages:

o         The attachment components for each fall protection anchorage shall not significantly reduce the strength of the structural members to which they are attached, such as beams, columns or any other rigid structure. 

o         A component that significantly reduces that strength shall be replaced with a stronger one in order to maintain strength of the system.

o         All components and subcomponents of the selected fall protection system shall be compatible to the anchorage.

o         Safe Anchorages will be utilized:

§          As high as possible to minimize the free fall distance and the total fall distance, and to prevent any contact with an obstruction or the ground below.

§          To minimize swinging the authorized person (pendulum-like motion) that can occur during a fall.  The maximum angle of swing away from the point of anchorage to the authorized person shall be less than 45 degrees.

§         Welders, who are certified according to current American Welding Society procedures, shall be used when the anchorage connection is welded to the anchorage.

§          Accessibility, location, and ease of connecting (tying off) shall be taken into consideration when planning and selecting anchorages.

§         When selecting an eyebolt for an anchorage, it shall be rated along its intended use axis.  The inside diameter of the eyebolt shall be compatible to the snap-hook or carabiner attachment.