EN 795 sets the requirements for anchor devices. This is the element most often overlooked and the one whose failure is most fatal: the best harness and lanyard are worthless if the anchor cannot take the load of a fall.
The five types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Anchor permanently fixed to a structure (A1 on vertical or horizontal surfaces, A2 on inclined roofs) |
| B | Temporary, portable anchor — a doorway strut or a tripod, say |
| C | Horizontal flexible anchor line |
| D | Horizontal rigid anchor rail |
| E | Deadweight anchor for flat roofs |
Strength requirement
An anchor must withstand at least 12 kN static load on a steel structure (18 kN on non-steel) and remain intact after dynamic testing. For type C and D lines the forces at the end anchors must also be calculated — because of the line's sag they are several times higher.
Practical rules
- The anchor should be above the worker — this reduces free fall and the swing-fall risk.
- A water pipe, a ventilation duct, a handrail or a roof gutter is not an anchor.
- Type A and E anchors must be designed and installed by a competent person, with a structural calculation.
- A type E deadweight anchor only works within a defined slope and surface specification — the manufacturer's instructions must be followed exactly.