DGUV - German statutory accident insurance

DGUV Publication 201-056

To answer the question as to how to professionally design a safe fall protection or anchorage system for your building, you can refer to DGUV Publication 201-056: "Basic planning guidelines for anchorage devices on roofs" for some tips and advice. 

This DGUV publication is directed at building owners, planners and the users of individual fall arrest solutions on building structures and defines all the relevant planning criteria. In addition, it offers guidelines on how to effectively secure fall danger zones using collective or individual fall protection measures.

Which hazards must be taken into account during the planning process?

In DGUV 201-056, the following three fall situations are contemplated:

  • Falling from a roof
  • Breaking through a roof surface and
  • Falling through a roof opening.

In the case of roof elements that are not fall-through resistant, additional safety measures must be taken to prevent individuals from crashing through them.

When planning a fall arrest system, the following hazards must be taken into account:

  • Swing falls
  • Edges and ledges
  • Cable displacement
  • Collisions/hitting objects

One can conclude from the above that in order to ensure the best possible protection, anchorage devices should be installed at a distance of 2.5 m from the falling edge . In regions with heavy snowfall, the distance can be increased to allow snow to be cleared safely. The corners can then be secured using individual anchorage points.

During the planning process, consideration must be given to the safety system access points. When designing your roof access points, please refer to DIN 4426 for further recommendations.

What do you need to be aware of during installation and testing?

When installing your anchorage devices, you must always comply with the manufacturer's specifications. These are usually found in the installation manual and safety instructions. Installation technicians must have respective expertise and be technically capable of installing the anchorage devices accordingly. Comparing the actual situation onsite with the information contained in the planning documents is also part of the installation technician’s job. Furthermore, it is mandatory to prepare a set of installation documentation. What this documentation needs to include is described in DGUV Publication 201-056. Special attention must be paid to compiling respective photo documentation illustrating all the installation steps relevant to safety. Each of these steps, especially those that are no longer visible following installation and which, therefore, can no longer be checked later on, must be recorded in photographs.

The regular inspections of your anchorage devices may only be carried out by competent individuals who have been authorised by the manufacturer. These anchorage device inspections must also be accordingly documented.

Would you prefer to place the planning in the hands of the experts?

Naturally, ABS Safety’s service portfolio also includes professional system planning and installation services, conducting inspections in line with the legal provisions, as well as the compilation of legally watertight documentation.

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