Mobile Anchor Points: An OSHA Compliant Portable Roof Safety Solution

You're aware of your obligation to provide fall protection for your employees whenever they're working at height. Where appropriate, you've installed guardrails and other passive roof fall protection devices. In other areas, like a flat rooftop where employees seldom work, OSHA's regulations allow for temporary fall protection measures. This is good news for site-specific work that requires fall protection where guardrails and/or permanent lifeline anchor points are either impractical or unfeasible. In these instances, a mobile anchor point offers a secure point for attaching lifelines and safety harnesses without the need for installation, and it can be moved from site to site. Let’s take a closer look: 

Mobile Anchor Points - What Are They? 

Many industrial rooftops don’t offer a suitable place on a rooftop for a worker to tie off the lanyard that connects to their safety harness, or to run horizontal lifelines along. PVC pipes, vents, and other structures on the roof simply aren’t strong enough for a horizontal lifeline or harness to be attached to, nor are they OSHA compliant . A mobile anchor point that’s specifically manufactured to meet OSHA standards provides a safe, strong point of connection. They are composed of several weighted sections that provide enough counterweight to stop a worker from falling. These sections won’t penetrate the roof surface and can easily be separated, transported, and reconnected—making them both mobile and reusable. 

OSHA Requirements for Anchorages: A Refresher 
Before we go any deeper on the benefits of mobile anchor points (and why they might be right for your facility), let’s take a quick look at OSHA’s anchorage requirements. According to OSHA regulations, anchorages must be used under the supervision of a qualified individual. All anchorages that are used to attach fall arrest equipment must be able to support at least 5,000 pounds (2.27 t) per employee attached. Alternately, they need to be designed, installed, and used as a component of a personal fall arrest system that has a safety factor of at least 2. In addition, anchorage must be rigid and able to withstand a force of 2,250 pounds (1.02 t) with a deflection of .04 inches (10.16 cm) or less.

When Are Mobile Anchor Points a Good Choice?

For the most part, mobile or freestanding rooftop anchors should be used when workers occasionally or temporarily need to access a flat roof or other structure. If the rooftop has a pitch of 4 degrees or fewer, you'll remain OSHA compliant and provide your workers with the fall protection they need. And even though they're called mobile anchor points, they can also be used as part of a complete permanent roof fall protection system.

What Are the Benefits of Mobile Anchor Points?

Beyond providing adequate fall protection when combined with appropriate personal fall protection equipment like lanyards, harnesses, and horizontal lifelines, mobile anchor points have significant benefits:

• They can be used on flat roofs and those with up to 4 degrees of slope.
• Mobile anchor points are non-penetrating, so they won't damage your rooftop.
• They can be moved with ease to another location when needed.
• They can be used in conjunction with any roof fall protection system.
• They provide temporary or permanent roof fall protection.
• They can be stored and used on alternate sites as needed.
• You can use two or more to anchor horizontal lifelines as needed.

Designing the Perfect Roof Fall Protection System

While OSHA regulations don’t specify which types of roof safety devices you must use, they do provide guidance on each type of system. When designing your roof fall protection system, it's important to rely on the expertise of a qualified fall protection expert to make sure you’ve made a compliant choice. After all, you want the best roof fall protection possible to protect workers and your company.

Your decision regarding the type of roof fall protection system to use can be complicated. It depends upon the nature of the work being performed, the frequency of the work, the type and slope of the roof, costs, and OSHA compliance. Some fall protection systems to consider include:

• OSHA Compliant  Guardrails - Falls can happen even on a flat or slightly sloped roof. Providing guardrails at the leading edge and around roof openings can help eliminate the fall hazard. OSHA requires all guardrails to be 42" (+ or - 3") and they must be able to withstand a minimum of 200 pounds (90.72 kg) of pressure in a downward direction from the top.
• Harnesses, Lifelines, and Lanyards - When there's an adequate place to tie off, like a mobile anchor point, harnesses, lifelines and lanyards are good choices for fall protection. Harnesses must be made of appropriate materials, have an attachment point at the center of the wearer's back, and be free of any abrasions, tears, or other defects. All employees must be trained on how to inspect, don, and use their harness, lifeline, and lanyard before they are used.
• Safety Net Systems - When it's impractical to use safety lanyards, guardrails, or other fall protection devices, a safety net may be a good solution. Typically, a safety net would be used in a situation where workers are performing their duties 25 feet (7.62 m) above the ground, such as on a rooftop or leading edge during construction.

No matter what type of roof fall protection system you use, or what combination of devices you arrange, it's vital that they're regularly inspected. Make sure there are no defects, breaks, tears, or other issues with any of the components and immediately replace those that show signs of wear.

Safety First Workplace Mentality

The truth is, that even with the best fall protection system in place, accidents can happen. That's why it's so important to train employees on proper safety procedures to avoid falls. Take the time to observe and evaluate your employees as they go about their duties. Stop inappropriate or unsafe activities immediately and counsel the worker on proper procedure. Finally, encourage workers to watch out for one another and to ensure everyone is following safety protocols and using the proper fall protection devices.

Don't Skimp on Roof Fall Protection

You do everything you can to make sure your company is OSHA compliant and roof safety is a major concern. When it comes to protecting your employees when working at height, you can't afford to leave anything to chance. The smartest action you can take is to partner with a leader in roof safety to make sure your employees stay safe, healthy, and productive. Likewise, they’ll help ensure your business stays complaint and avoids fines. Interested to learn if a mobile anchor point is right for you? Give us a call.