What Makes a Good Anchorage? Safety Starts Here

Welcome to a new episode of Feature Friday, today we are going to start a series of videos about the ABCD’s of fall protection, going though the importance of anchorage, body support, connectorsand descent and rescue.

Anchors are the foundation of any fall protection system, providing the secure attachment point needed to keep workers safe at heights.
Selecting the right anchor is crucial to ensuring the entire system functions effectively in case of a fall.
We’ll be doing an overview of the different types of anchors, their applications, and what you need to consider when choosing one.

Types of Anchors: Fixed, Temporary and Mobile.

There are also a bunch of other types of anchors in the industry that can be fit on specific situations.

Temporary Anchors:

Designed for portability and easy installation/removal.
Best for short-term work sites like residential rooftops and various construction projects.
Available in a variety of formats, such as strap anchors, reusable concrete anchors, reusable roof anchors, cable anchor slings, or beam clamps.

Anchor Strength Requirements:

According to OSHA and ANSI Standards:

Must support at least 5,000 lbs (22.2 kN) per worker attached OR
Be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person and maintain a safety factor of at least 2:1 the maximum arrest force.

Temporary Anchors Considerations:

Ensure anchor location is structurally sound and capable of withstanding required forces.
Avoid attaching to materials that may deteriorate over time, such as rotting wood or rusted metal.

Anchor Placement

The position of the anchor significantly impacts fall clearance and swing hazards.

Best Practices for Anchor Placement:

Always anchor above the worker’s D-ring to minimize free-fall distance.
Place the anchor directly overhead, when possible, to reduce swing fall risks.

Leading Edge Considerations

If the available anchor point is below the dorsal D-ring of a worker’s harness, a leading-edge connector is required.
Leading Edge-rated connectors are required when your anchor points place you either on or near surfaces with sharp edges that could cut lifelines.
When dealing with leading edges and fall protection, avoid anchor points below the dorsal D-ring as they increase freefall distance and potential injury, instead, prioritize anchor points above the dorsal D-ring or use Class 2 SRLs designed for leading edge work with foot-level anchorages.

Horizontal vs. Vertical Anchorage:

Horizontal Lifelines (HLLs)

Provide fall protection across large work areas by allowing movement along a fixed path.
Commonly used in bridge construction, rooftops, and loading docks.

Vertical Lifelines (VLLs)

Designed for climbing environments such as ladders, telecom towers, and wind turbines. Also commonly used for work on residential roofs due to peaked surface with varying pitches.
Typically use a rope grab or sliding fall arrester to stop falls quickly.

Inspection & Maintenance:

At MacMor, our certified and qualified team members offer inspection services for fall protection equipment, ensuring your gear is compliant and meets all necessary requirements for the job.

Fixed Anchors

Must be inspected annually by a competent person and as per manufacturer recommendations.
Look for signs of corrosion, cracks, loose fasteners, or structural damage.

Vertical Lifelines (VLLs)

Inspect before each use to ensure the system is secure and undamaged.
Remove from service if any fraying, deformation, or excessive wear is detected.

Additional Notes

Anchors are the backbone of any fall protection system, and selecting the right one is key to keeping workers safe.

Always follow manufacturer guidelines and regulatory requirements to ensure anchors are installed and used correctly.

Conduct regular inspections to maintain system integrity and protect workers at height.

For more products related to Fall Protection Systems like harnesses, connectors, head protection and more, check out our 2025 Spring and Summer flyer