General terms

Single anchorage point (anchor)

Single anchorage points (commonly referred to as "anchors") are individual fall arrest systems used on a roof, facade or other structure. They can be used both in an arresting system or at specific points in a retention system. Single anchorage points are classified as individual fall protection devices as they protect users who have been trained and instructed in their usage from falling when used in combination with PPE equipment.

Use of single anchorage points

Anchorage points offer a standard solution for securing a roof surface - but are also used in a range of different industrial applications, such as on crane ways, large machines and production lines.

Users can secure themselves by hooking up their safety harnesses  to an anchorage point using a lanyard. Normally, an anchorage point is equipped with an anchorage eyelet or anchor tab to which a user’s connector element can be hooked up.

Anchorage devices which are firmly installed on or attached to a structure are classified as construction products.

This means that they must be approved in line with the German  national technical approval procedure.

Retention or arresting system?

Depending on the application in question, the choice of connector and whether a guided type fall arrester is used or not, a safety system is either designed to keep the workers at a safe distance from the roof edge in order to prevent falls (retention system) or to arrest a fall to prevent the user from colliding with the ground or any other object (arresting system).

A retention system should always be given preference over an arresting system. Therefore, it is recommendable to implement a lifeline system or a rail safety system   - especially on a large roof surface.