An anchorage is the foundation of every personal fall protection system. Regardless of how advanced the harness, lanyard or self retracting lifeline may be, the system can only perform effectively if it is connected to an anchor capable of withstanding the forces generated during normal use and, more importantly, during a fall. For this reason, anchorage selection is one of the most important aspects of planning work at height.
In practical terms, an anchorage may be a permanent roof anchor, a structural steel beam, a horizontal lifeline, a rigid rail system, a davit arm, a deadweight anchor or another certified anchoring device. Every anchor must be compatible with the intended application and capable of supporting the anticipated loads. An incorrectly selected or poorly installed anchor can lead to complete system failure, regardless of the quality of the remaining fall protection equipment.
The Function of an Anchorage in a Fall Protection System
The primary role of an anchorage is to transfer forces generated by a worker into a structure capable of resisting those loads without failure. During normal movement the forces applied to an anchor are relatively low, but a fall arrest event can generate loads of several kilonewtons within a fraction of a second. The anchorage must therefore remain stable under both static and dynamic loading conditions.
Anchorage systems are used in every category of work at height, including fall arrest, work restraint, work positioning, rope access and rescue operations. Although these applications often use similar equipment, the loads acting on the anchor can differ significantly depending on the system design, the number of users, the anchor location and the type of connecting device.
A properly selected anchorage also contributes to reducing fall hazards before a fall occurs. Positioning the anchor directly above the worker minimises free fall distance and reduces the likelihood of a swing fall. Conversely, anchors located below the harness attachment point often increase total arrest distance and may require substantially greater clearance beneath the user.
Because the anchorage influences almost every aspect of system performance, it should always be selected before other equipment rather than treated as the final component of the installation.
Types of Anchorage Used for Work at Height
There is no universal anchorage suitable for every workplace. Different industries and structures require different solutions depending on the available supporting structure, access requirements and expected loading conditions.
Permanent anchors are commonly installed on roofs, industrial buildings, bridges and other structures where regular work at height is carried out. These systems remain fixed to the building and are normally designed to support repeated inspections, maintenance or cleaning activities over many years.
Temporary anchors provide flexibility for short term projects where permanent installations are not practical. Examples include webbing anchor slings wrapped around structural steel, beam clamps, portable deadweight anchors and mobile anchorage systems. These products allow fall protection to be established without permanently modifying the structure.
Horizontal lifeline systems create continuous anchorage over larger working areas. Depending on the design, they may support one or several users simultaneously while allowing movement along roofs, walkways or structural frameworks without disconnecting from the safety system.
Rigid rail systems offer another engineered solution, particularly where precise movement is required or where minimising fall distance is important. Because the travelling attachment remains connected to the rail, these systems often provide shorter arrest distances than flexible lifelines.
Specialised anchorage systems are also widely used in confined space entry and rescue. Tripods, davit arms and rescue frames provide certified anchor points for personnel retrieval while supporting rescue winches or fall arrest devices during vertical access operations.
Structural Requirements and Applicable Standards
An anchorage is only as reliable as the structure supporting it. Installing a certified anchor onto an unsuitable substrate does not create a safe system because the supporting structure itself may fail before the anchor reaches its certified capacity. Structural assessment is therefore an essential part of anchor selection and installation.
Within Europe and the UK, many anchorage devices are designed and tested in accordance with EN 795, which specifies performance requirements for personal fall protection anchor devices. Depending on the product type, anchors are classified into several categories covering fixed anchor points, temporary transportable anchors, horizontal lifelines and deadweight systems. Some multi user systems may also comply with CEN/TS 16415, which provides additional requirements for anchor devices used simultaneously by more than one person.
The forces involved during testing are substantial. Depending on the anchor classification and intended application, dynamic and static tests may involve loads exceeding 12 kN. In practice, design loads used by structural engineers may be considerably higher depending on national regulations, safety factors and the anticipated number of users.
Compatibility with the rest of the fall protection system is equally important. An anchor certified to EN 795 should be used together with compatible equipment such as EN 361 full body harnesses, EN 362 connectors, EN 355 energy absorbers and EN 360 self retracting lifelines where appropriate. Certification of individual components does not automatically guarantee that they will perform correctly when combined into a complete system.
Factors That Influence Anchorage Selection
Selecting an anchorage involves far more than identifying a convenient connection point. Every proposed anchor should be evaluated against the specific hazards associated with the workplace, the type of work being carried out and the performance requirements of the fall protection system.
Some of the most important selection criteria include:
- Structural capacity of the supporting element.
- Position of the anchor relative to the worker.
- Number of authorised users.
- Compatibility with harnesses, connectors and connecting devices.
- Available fall clearance beneath the working area.
- Environmental conditions such as corrosion, chemicals, temperature or marine exposure.
The position of the anchorage has perhaps the greatest influence on system performance. Whenever possible, the anchor should be located directly above the worker to minimise free fall distance and reduce swing fall hazards. A poorly positioned anchor can increase arrest distance by several metres and expose the worker to impact with nearby structures even if the fall arrest equipment functions correctly.
The working environment must also be considered. Offshore installations, chemical processing plants, wind turbines and power generation facilities may require stainless steel anchors, corrosion resistant coatings or specialised inspection procedures because of aggressive environmental conditions.
Inspection, Maintenance and Common Mistakes
Like every component of a fall protection system, anchorages require regular inspection throughout their service life. Permanent anchors should be examined by competent persons at intervals specified by the manufacturer and in accordance with applicable legislation. Inspection records should document the condition of the anchor, supporting structure, fixings, identification markings and any maintenance performed.
Temporary anchors require careful inspection before every use. Webbing slings should be checked for cuts, abrasion, heat damage and chemical contamination, while beam clamps and mechanical devices should be examined for corrosion, deformation, cracks and damaged locking mechanisms. Any equipment that has arrested a fall should normally be removed from service until it has been assessed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
One of the most common mistakes is connecting fall protection equipment to structural elements that have never been assessed as anchor points. Handrails, pipework, cable trays, scaffolding components and roof edge flashings are frequently misused despite being incapable of resisting fall arrest loads. These improvised anchor points may appear strong during normal work but can fail instantly under dynamic loading.
Another frequent error is overlooking swing fall hazards. Even when the anchor itself is strong enough, positioning it too far to one side of the work area can cause the worker to swing like a pendulum after a fall, increasing the risk of collision with nearby structures. Proper anchor placement should therefore be considered alongside structural capacity during every risk assessment.
Inspection programmes should also include the supporting structure rather than focusing solely on the anchor device. Corrosion, concrete deterioration, loose fixings or structural modifications may reduce the overall strength of the anchorage even when the anchor itself remains undamaged.
An anchorage is much more than a connection point. It is the structural foundation of the entire fall protection system and directly influences fall distance, arrest forces, swing fall risk and rescue planning. Selecting the correct anchor, verifying the supporting structure, following recognised standards and maintaining regular inspection programmes are essential steps in ensuring that every personal fall protection system performs safely when subjected to real world loading conditions.