How To Certify Roof Anchor Points

If you need to complete necessary maintenance at heights on a property, you will need to use a safe roof access system. Whether your property has a fall prevention system, ladder bracket, fall arrest system or roof anchor points, each safe roof access system in Australia needs to be routinely certified and maintained to ensure it is in good working order.

If you are a facility manager or property owner, how can you ensure that your safe roof access system is in tip-top condition? What tests are required to certify the system? How should roof anchor points be maintained?

This “how-to” guide will help you understand the relevant legislation and manufacturer guidelines so that you and your staff can work on your roof in a safe environment.

Each year, 26 people die from falls at work on average. On top of that staggering statistic is the fact that about 7,700 workers are injured from falls from height on worksites around Australia. When you consider the tremendous risk and serious consequences of falls from heights, it should come as no surprise that there are such high standards in regard to working at heights in Australia.

  • Over half of the deaths that resulted from falls involved a distance of less than three meters.
  • Falls from ladders accounted for the greatest number of fatalities.

How To Certify Roof Anchor Points

In order to understand the process of certifying roof anchor points, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the related legislation and legal guidelines.

Part 4.4 (Falls) of the NSW Work Health & Safety Regulation 2017 outlines the specific legal requirements that employers have for providing their staff with a safe working environment at heights. The employer must manage risks to health and safety associated with a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury to the person or any other person.

For an anchor point to be cleared for use, it must comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 1891:4 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices selection, use and maintenance. This standard sets out recommendations for the selection, safe use and maintenance of industrial fall arrest systems and devices.

AS/NZS 5532 is designed to highlight the process and requirements for certifying roof anchor points and fall restraint systems.

One of the key pieces of information in AS/NZS 5532 is that “only certified roof anchor point installers are legally capable of certifying roof anchor points”.

So if you are searching for a DIY guide on how you can save some money and certify your roof anchor points yourself, unfortunately, this is an avenue where you need to call in the professionals. Due to the consequences of even a minor oversight, height safety has no margin for error. Engaging the services of a certified height safety inspector is the only option available to properly certify roof anchor points, ladder brackets and height safety systems.

The current legislation in New South Wales necessitates roof anchor points to be checked and certified every 12 months. Following the completion of the certification process, a written certificate of compliance should be provided with a validity of 12 months.

The goal of the certification process is to ensure not only the integrity and working functionality of the anchorage point but also the fixed structure to which the anchorage point is attached.


How To Complete Maintenance For Roof Anchor Points

When properly installed and regularly certified, there is minimal maintenance that is required for roof anchor points. Each specific brand and type of anchor point requires a unique approach to maintenance. Users should follow the maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer. In addition, qualified certifiers will follow the guidelines in AS/NZS 1891:4 section 9.9 (Maintenance) in order to ensure that the safety point is being properly maintained during the annual inspection.


Basic Height Safety Principals

  • Design jobs to minimise the work at heights
  • Train workers to use every element of the height safety system
  • Keep work environments clean to prevent trip hazards
  • Design plant and equipment to minimise the need to work at height

For the latest updates on developments in the industry and changes in legislation, SafeWork NSW and the Working At Heights Association are the peak industry bodies for the fall arrest industry. The SafeWork NSW website contains a number of checklists and helpful documents to ensure that you are creating a safe workplace for your staff.


Who Is Sydney Anchor Points?

Locally owned and operated, Sydney Anchor Points is the premier height safety firm in the Greater Sydney region. Offering a complete range of roof anchor point services, SydneyAnchor Points is raising the bar of height safety in New South Wales. From the streamlined services that ensure each project is completed on time to the friendly service, Sydney Anchor Points offers professional and reliable service.

Based in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney, the multi-skilled team at Sydney Anchor Points services residential, commercial and strata-titled properties in the Greater Sydney region. If you have been researching for a height safety team that can handle every aspect of the design, installation, certification and maintenance of your roof safety system, Sydney Anchor Points ticks all of the boxes.

Since the 1st of November 2017, you can face an on-the-spot fine for not adequately addressing the risk of falls from height. Protect yourself and your staff today!


10 Reasons You Can Rely On Sydney Anchor Points

  1. Highly recommended
  2. Fully insured
  3. Industry experts
  4. Complete range of services
  5. Commercial, domestic and strata
  6. Metal, tiled, flat and concrete roofs
  7. The #1 team of Sydney anchor point installers
  8. Locally owned business
  9. Sydney wide service
  10. Free quotes

Forget about relying on amateurs who lack the necessary experience and skill set to install and maintain reliable, safe roof anchor systems. Give the team at Sydney Anchor Points a call today for a free quotation.