Anchorage Systems
External works often require access from the inside of a premises as well as from the outside, for example, window cleaning or minor maintenance operations. In these cases, "eyebolts" roof anchors and "ladder restraints" are the most common and user friendly solution to ensuring operative fall arrest safety.
Legislation
BS 8213 Par 1: 2004 Windows, doors and rooflights provides guidance for designers on the reach limits in relation to cleaning. Should these limits need to be exceeded, then suitable anchorage points in accordance with BS EN 795:1997 Protection against falls from height anchorage devices - Requirements and testing, need to be provided for the operative to attach via a lanyard and harness. These structural anchorage points should be installed and tested to BS 7883:2005 Application and use of anchor devices conforming to BS EN 795.
Regulation 16 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations deals with the ability to clean windows etc safely. Under the Regulation, paragraph 156, "suitable provisions should be made so that windows and skylights can be cleaned safely if they cannot be cleaned from the ground or other surface." Suitable provisions may include the fitting of access equipment or providing suitable conditions for the future use of mobile access equipment, including ladders up to 9 metres long. Where a ladder over 6 metres is required, suitable points for tying or fixing the ladder should be provided. Suitable and suitably placed anchorage points for safety harnesses should also be provided.
Installation
Installation is carried out in accordance with BS 7883:2005. In relation to fall arrest products installed in brickwork or concrete, it is necessary to place an axial proof load test of 6kN for 15 seconds to confirm the fixing. In the case of through fixing, these are set to a torque of 35Nm. Ladder restraints require a tensile proof test load of 2.4kN for 15 seconds.
Annual Re-certification
Fall arrest products should be re-certified in accordance with BS EN 365:2004 Personal Protective Equipment against falls from height - General requirements for instructions for use and for marking. This can be carried out by Safesite as a service contract and included within the quotation for the system.
Where ladder restraints are concerned, there are no requirements for annual re-certification, however, the straps, ratchet and "J" hooks must be visually inspected by a competent person every time they are used.
For further information, download the Anchorage Systems section of brochure or contact Safesite on Tel: 01293 529977 or email sales@safesite.co.uk