Due to the highly technical nature of a fall protection system, OSHA requires that at minimum, an annual inspection must be performed by a qualified individual. For over 25 years, GHB Fall Protection has provided customers with a complete, turnkey source for fall protection services including certifying the safety of systems and their components. If during a periodic safety equipment certification, any component of your fall arrest or fall protection system is determined to be damaged, we are trained to perform the necessary repairs. GHB Fall Protection personnel can also provide system training to keep your employees aware of proper use and industry best practices. The combination of these services helps to keep your employees safe and provides your company the up-to-date training and inspection documentation required by OSHA and recommended by ANSI I 14 Standard.
OSHA Regulations Regarding Annual Fall Protection System Inspections
All parts of the equipment including control systems shall be inspected, and, where necessary, tested by a competent person at intervals specified by the manufacturer/supplier, but not to exceed 12 months, to determine that they are in safe operating condition. Parts subject to wear, such as wire ropes, bearings, gears, and governors shall be inspected and/or tested to determine that they have not worn to such an extent as to affect the safe operation of the installation. 1910.27 (b).
The building owner shall keep a certification record of each inspection and test 1910.27(b)(1)(i)
Before any rope descent system is used, the building owner must inform the employer, in writing that the building owner has identified, tested, certified, and maintained each anchorage so it is capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), in any direction, for each employee attached. The information must be based on an annual inspection by a qualified person and certification of each anchorage by a qualified person, as necessary, and at least every 10 years.
Load Testing, Certification & Inspections
Frequently Asked Questions
How can building managers and owners determine if their existing roof equipment complies with current OSHA standards?
- GHB Fall Protection Inc. can perform an on-site review of your fall protection and suspended maintenance equipment to determine if your current equipment complies with safety standards. Factors such as anchor spacing, and edge distance is examined for compliance. Existing equipment must be load tested to verify that such equipment can be certified. Our rooftop review will be supported by a written report with recommendations for any modifications. Contact us for details.
Who does OSHA hold responsible for certified anchorages?
The building owner.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.27 – Before any rope descent system is used, the building owner must inform the employer, in writing that the building owner has identified, tested, certified, and maintained each anchorage so it is capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (268 kg), in any direction, for each employee attached. The information must be based on an annual inspection by a qualified person and certification of each anchorage by a qualified person, as necessary, and at least every 10 years.
Who and how often does OSHA require anchorages be certified?
Each anchor must be certified by a qualified person, as necessary, and at least every 10 years. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.27 (b)(1)(ii)
However, GHB Fall Protection Inc. follows the recommendation of the ANSI A359 Fall Protection Safety Standard, Specifications and Design Requirements for Active Protection System, Paragraph 3.3.1 as follows:
“A Statement shall be made stipulating how frequently the system shall be inspected and re-certified. Periods between recertification shall not exceed 5 years.”
Therefore, all GHB Fall Protection Inc., Inc equipment dedicated to a specific building shall be re-certified by load testing under supervision of a registered Professional Engineer at periods not to exceed 5 years and shall be inspected by a Qualified Person(s) annually and before use.
NOTE: Government agencies such as OSHA use Industry Consensus Standards, such as ANSI A359 as a basis to cite safety violations.
Who and how often does OSHA require anchorages be inspected?
- Each anchor must be inspected a qualified person, as necessary, and at least annually. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.27 (b)(1)(ii)
What is the employer's responsibility before performing any suspended work?
Employers must not allow employees to perform suspended work unless the employer has determined that there are certified anchors capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.27 – The employer must ensure that no employee uses any anchorage before the employer has obtained written information from the building owner that each anchorage meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section. The employer must keep the information for the duration of the job.
How does OSHA view enforcement of its inspection and certified anchorage regulations?
OSHA has provided citation enforcement guidance to regional administrators to examine both employers and buildings owner’s compliance with OSHA’s general industry fall protection systems regulation.
See letter: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2017-11-20
What can GHB Fall Protection Inc. do to help you comply with OSHA’s required Load Testing, Certification and Inspection requirement?
At completion of installation, the installer is to deliver an initial certification letter by a P.E., certifying that all the equipment has been load tested and meets load requirements as installed.
When you receive the close out documents, GHB Fall Protection can provide a cost proposal for the annual inspections which are required to keep your system in compliance with OSHA regulations. We can also test and evaluate suspended access equipment that was supplied and installed by others. Upon completion of on-site compliance evaluation and testing, GHB Fall Protection Inc. will provide you a condition report. If GHB Fall Protection Inc. does not install the system, we may still be able to certify the equipment as installed, by examining the construction documentation & engineered stamped blueprints and following load a test prescription and on-site testing.
What qualifies as an acceptable anchorage?
Anchors must meet certain loading requirements as well be correctly located for access to the work area. Anchorages may include structural elements of the building such as columns and beams that comply with all other OSHA and ANSI requirements. However, to avoid confusion the building owner may opt to have permanent anchors installed to said structural elements to avoid confusion on what exactly has been certified.
To what standard can anchors be certified?
- Rope descent systems and other suspended access systems can be certified to the OSHA 1910.27 Rope Descent Systems Window Cleaning Safety Standard.
- Some examples of other standards and applicable regulations include:
- OSHA Regulations (Standards-29 CFR) 1910.27 Rope Descent Systems
- OSHA Regulations (Standards-29 CFR) 1910.28 Safety Requirements for Scaffolding.
- OSHA Regulations (Standards-29 CFR) 1910.66 Powered Platforms for Building Maintenance.
- IWCA I-14.1 Window Cleaning Safety Standard
- ANSI/ASME A120.1 Safety Requirements for Powered Platforms for Building Maintenance
- Note: Some states and municipalities (e.g. State of California and New York, City of Chicago) have additional requirements that apply to window cleaning equipment.
Does certification of anchorages mean that the entire building is safe for rope descent and window cleaning operations?
Not necessarily. Although the OSHA regulation states that anchorages are required to be capable of supporting 5,000 pounds, that does not always mean that there are enough anchors to properly service the building. Anchor spacing issues required for sound rigging are addressed in the IWCA I-14.1 Window Cleaning Safety Standard. OSHA Subpart D addresses edge distance for anchors. Proper anchor spacing and edge distance is critical to providing a safe working environment.
(See Minimum requirements for rope descent systems.)
To what load capacity should suspended access equipment be certified?
The manufacturer should be consulted since load capacity may vary. GHB Fall Protection Inc. minimum load capacities are as follows:
- Anchors and Rigging Sleeves:
1,250 lbs. Allowable load (Typical. Must be based on hoist capacity in suspended scaffold applications)
2,500 lbs. Test load
5,000 lbs. Ultimate load
- Davits for Swing Stage Applications:
1,000 lbs. Allowable load (Typical. Must be based on hoist capacity in suspended scaffold applications)
2,000 lbs. Test load
4,000 lbs. Ultimate load
- Davits for Rope Descent System Applications:
1,250 lbs. Allowable load (Typical. Must be based on hoist capacity in suspended scaffold applications)
2,500 lbs. Test load
5,000 lbs. Ultimate load
- Monorails for Swing Stage and Rope Descent System Applications:
1,250 lbs. Allowable load
2,500 lbs. Test load
5,000 lbs. Ultimate load
What is the purpose of a logbook and is it required?
GHB Fall Protection logbook help building manager keep a written record of annual inspections and certification of anchors and other equipment.
IWCA I-14.1 Window Cleaning Safety Standard, Sec. 7.3.2, states: “Log books shall be established and maintained; one that is on file at the building for equipment and anchorages dedicated to the building and one kept by the window cleaner for his transportable equipment, recording each major maintenance activity, the date of the maintenance activity, and signature of the inspector.”
