Roof anchor points are an essential part of any roofing system. They provide a secure point of attachment for a building’s safety lines. These roof anchor points are necessary for workers who are working at heights, ensuring that any potential falls are minimised.

Roof anchor points are points located on the roof of a building or a structure where a worker can attach a safety harness or other safety gear. These points are typically made of metal and are secured to the roof or structure through a variety of methods such as bolts, rivets or adhesives.

These points are intended to provide a secure spot for a worker to attach their safety gear to and provide protection from falls from height. In Australia, roof anchor points must meet the relevant Australian Standards and must be installed by a qualified person.

These standards are AS/NZS 1891.4:2009 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices and AS/NZS 5532:2013 Design, installation, testing and maintenance of anchorages for person fall-arrest systems. It is important to ensure that any roof anchor points installed meet these standards to ensure workers' safety.

When it comes to installing anchor points, it is important to consider the type of roof you have and the environment in which it is located. Different types of roofs require different anchor points. For instance, an anchor point installed on a flat roof will be different from an anchor point installed on a sloped roof.

In order to ensure the safety of workers, roof anchor points need to be secured properly. This usually involves drilling holes into the roof and then anchoring the point in place. Once the anchor is in place, it is essential to regularly inspect it to make sure it is still secure. The inspection should include checking for any signs of corrosion and wear and tear.

Australian regulations stipulate that roof anchor points need to be inspected every 6 to 12 months by a qualified technician. For most premises, it is mandatory for a roof safety re-certification to be completed every 12 months.

Metal roof anchor points are installed by securing the point to the ridge of the corrugated sheet with industrial rivets. They are rated as 1-man fall arrest anchors but could arrest the fall of two men up to 15kN.

Tiled roof anchor points require removing a tile that sits over a rafter. The anchor point is screwed into the rafter and the tile is replaced. They are also rated 1-man fall arrest anchors but could arrest the fall of two men.

In Australia, in 2020-21 there were 95 recorded deaths from a fall from height. This is a sad statistic, as many of these deaths could probably have been avoided with the correct safety equipment. Roof anchor points are essential for the safety of workers, especially in industries such as construction and manufacturing.

Roof anchor points provide a secure point of attachment for a safety harness, allowing workers to safely climb, traverse and work in areas where a fall could have potentially fatal consequences. They are an essential part of any fall prevention and protection system.

The importance of roof anchor points goes far beyond just personal safety. They are also critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the building itself. If a worker were to become detached from the roof structure and fall, their safety harness could cause significant damage to the roof. This would leave the building exposed to further damage from weather and other external factors.

When installing roof anchor points, it is important to ensure that the correct type and size of anchor point is selected for the particular roof structure. Roof anchor points come in a variety of sizes and styles and must be selected based on the roof structure and the weight of the worker.

Overall, roof anchor points are an essential part of any workplace safety system and should be given the necessary attention to ensure that they are properly installed and inspected. By doing so, workers can be assured of a safe working environment, and the building itself can be protected from potential damage due to the presence of a secure anchor point.