Inspections and Re-Certification of Roof Anchors
Roof anchors are part of a personal fall protection system. It is necessary and required that after installation, years of use, and/or roof repairs, roof anchors be inspected. These inspections are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as other organizations.
Why Safety Anchor and Fall Protection Equipment Inspections and Re-certifications?
The benefits of these inspections include:
- Identifying problems early which can help keep repair costs to a minimum
- Decreasing potential safety risks to workers
- Eliminating a delay or shutdown that could occur if a system is not certified
- Ensuring that a third-party independent organization performed the inspection, eliminating potential biases
- Being a requirement by many insurance companies
Inspections
Anchorage systems must be inspected every year by a qualified person. As defined by OSHA, a qualified person is “one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems related to the specific subject matter, the work, or the project.”
During the inspection all single anchor points and lifeline systems are inspected. Part of the inspection involves looking for cracks, deformities, and signs of deterioration in the roof anchors. If there is any type of damage, the roof anchor may need to be repaired or replaced.
Following the inspection, the building owner will receive a report detailing the results of the inspection. The building owner must maintain a log book which contains these inspection reports.
Re-Certification
Annual inspections are a minimum requirement. In addition to these annual inspections, 10-year re-certification is required for suspended maintenance anchorages, which includes window cleaning systems. However, depending on the type of anchorage and the condition of the anchorage system, it may need to be certified and tested at more frequent intervals in order to comply with existing standards and regulations.
PRO Roofing Solution
It is necessary to have quality safety and protection systems in place to reduce the possibility of rooftop hazards and potential accidents. PRO Roofing can carry out the necessary inspections and re-certifications that are required. Give us a call at 850-668-7663 to schedule.