The roof is one of a building’s most important structural components and provides essential shelter from the elements. Roofs also require regular maintenance, which means humans must scale them occasionally. Falling from even a single-storey roof is dangerous, so we must take precautions when climbing them. In recent years, roof anchors have become a standard safety requirement.
What is a Roof Safety Anchor? Why is It Important?
A roof safety anchor is a block or hook mounted to the roof of a building as part of a fall prevention system. Workers often use a roof safety harness and anchor together. The anchorage point allows the crew to attach themselves to the building and reduce their risk of injury should they fall. Safety anchors are essential for all work at heights, from high-rise buildings to single-family homes.
OSHA Requirements for Roof Safety Anchors
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates fall protection for all roof work performed at 6 feet or higher. To comply with these regulations, contractors may install guardrails, scaffolding, safety nets, or fall arrest systems. Roof safety anchors are some of the easiest fall arrest equipment to install, especially in constrained spaces.
The OSHA requirements for roof safety apply to commercial and residential buildings. Regulation 29 CFR 1926 (subpart M) outlines specific compliance criteria for roof safety anchors, lanyards, and harnesses. Additionally, the fall prevention system must only be used under the supervision of a qualified person.
How To Choose the Right Safety Anchor for Your Roof
The roof safety anchor you select will largely depend on the type and size of the roof. The material will impact your choice, as will the number of workers and their collective weight. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for roof safety anchors.
Fall Arrest vs Fall Restraint Roof Anchors
When a worker clips their roof safety harness to an anchor point, it can provide protection in one of two ways. First, it can prevent them from getting too close to the edge of the roof, eliminating the risk of falling. This is called a fall restraint system. Alternatively, the roof safety anchor may kick into action after the person has fallen, stopping them from reaching the ground. This is called a fall arrest system. The type of system you choose will depend on how close to the edge your roof workers need to be. Fall restraint systems limit a person’s movement and are better suited to spacious work areas. Fall arrest systems are ideal for constrained spaces.
Permanent vs Temporary Roof Anchors
A permanent roof safety anchor is fixed to the roof and becomes a part of its structure. Temporary safety anchors are designed for one-off use and must be removed once the roofing work is complete. This anchor usually clips onto the roofing material without penetrating the surface. Permanent anchors are ideal when roof access is a regular requirement. Temporary anchors are acceptable for short-term needs, provided they meet OSHA specifications.
Anchors for Different Roof Materials
Roof safety anchors come in many shapes and sizes. Their appearance and construction differ greatly depending on the type of roof for which they are made. Here’s which roof anchor to get for each roof type.
Flat Concrete Roof
Tieback anchors are the most commonly used roof safety anchors for flat roofs. These may be embedded into the concrete slab or bolted on and secured with a chemical adhesive. You can get weighted temporary roof anchors that attach to the slab with OSHA-compliant suction cups should you prefer a non-penetrating, non-permanent solution. The anchors would be bolted to the truss for metal flat roofs. These systems are also suitable for low-slope roofs (slope ratio of 4/12 or less).
Metal Standing Seam Roof
The best roof safety anchors for standing seam roofs use secure clip-on systems that do not penetrate the roofing material. The reason for this is that standing seam roofs have unique waterproofing requirements. Bolting a traditional roof safety anchor into the metal may cause damage that results in leaks. Instead, it’s best to use something like the Universal Safety Anchor, which clamps firmly over the roof seams without causing any damage.
Sloping Tile or Slate Roof
Permanent, penetrating anchors are best for tiled or slate roofs. These anchors sit underneath the tiles and attach directly to the structure of the roof—either the trusses or the ridge of the roof. Once they are nailed into place, the roofer can attach their roof safety harness to the anchor with a lanyard. Roof anchors for sloping roofs come in flat shapes (for underneath tiles) and triangular configurations to fit over roof ridges and trusses.
How To Install Roof Safety Anchors on Your Roof
Each type of roof safety anchor comes with unique installation requirements. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions or user guide to ensure your anchors comply with OSHA regulations. Here are a few basic tips for installing roof safety anchors on different roof types.
- Standing seam safety anchors: Place the anchor over the roof seam and tighten the bolts using a micrometer torque wrench to lock it into place.
- Permanent anchors in concrete slabs: Drill into the concrete and place the anchor into the slab with an expansion bolt. You can use a metal detector to avoid striking rebar in the slab.
- Wooden roofs with clay tiles: Remove the tile and nail the anchor into the wooden truss below. Make sure you apply roof sealant or flashing to prevent leaks.
Maintenance Tips for Roof Safety Anchors
Most roof safety harness and anchor brands provide guidelines for inspections. A good rule of thumb is to inspect permanent roof safety anchors at least once a year. Check for dents, rust, and deformities in the metal. This is especially important after heavy rains. It’s also good to inspect the waterproofing around your anchors to mitigate potential future leaks.
If you notice any significant wear and tear, replace the roof anchors immediately. Make sure all the bolts and other fasteners are tightly secured before allowing any workers onto the roof.
Standing Seam Roof? Try the Universal Safety Anchor From Metal Plus
Metal Plus has designed the ultimate roof anchor. Our patent standing seam roof anchor is designed on a hinge system bringing the female and male extrusion together without dismantling any part of the tool. Our Universal Safety Anchor is specifically designed for standing seam metal roofs. At Metal Plus we are transparent. Come and see our testing of OSHA and ANSI for our USA anchor.