Anchor Systems

Anchor systems are a critical part of the personal fall arrest system. Anchor systems may be permanent or temporary. A worker at risk of falling certain distances (see Guardrails) must be protected by guardrails or, if guardrails are not practical, by a travel-restraint system, fall-restricting system, fall-arrest system, or safety net. This document covers anchor systems. Other than guardrails and safety nets, all other means of fall protection require anchors (e.g., travel restraint, fall restrict, fall arrest). The fall protection equipment document covers the components of a fall protection system. If your workplace uses fall protection systems, please also see the documents on fall arrest planning and personal fall protection systems.

The Construction Projects regulation outlines the two basic types of anchor systems for fall protection.

Permanent anchor systems must be used as the fixed support in a fall arrest system, fall- restricting system, or travel restraint systems if the following conditions are met: [O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.7(1)]

It has been installed according to the Building Code.
It is safe and practical to use the anchor system as the fixed support.

If these two conditions are not met, a temporary fixed system must be used. The temporary fixed system must meet the following requirements: [O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.7(2)]

A support used in a fall arrest system must be capable of supporting a static force of at least 8 kilonewtons (1,800 pounds) without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used.
If a shock absorber or other support is used, the support must be capable of supporting at least 6 kilonewtons (1,350 pounds) of static force without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used.
Other supports may also be used as long as they are used according to the manufacturer’s written instructions and the support is adequate to protect a worker.
A support when used with a travel-restraint system must support at least 2 kilonewtons (450 pounds) of static force without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used.

Despite the above listed requirements, capacity of a temporary fixed support may be determined by dynamic testing according to good engineering practice which ensures the temporary fixed support is able to arrest a worker’s fall. [O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.7(3)]

A fixed support must not have any sharp edges that could cut, chafe, or abrade fall protection components. [O. Reg. 213/91, s. 26.7(4)]

For temporary fixed supports, it is always recommended that a safety factor of 2 be applied to the weight requirements above.

Construction Projects

O. Reg. 213/91

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 26.7

26.7 (1) A permanent anchor system shall be used as the fixed support in a fall arrest system, fall restricting system or travel restraint system if the following conditions are met:

1. The anchor system has been installed according to the Building Code.

2. It is safe and practical to use the anchor system as the fixed support.

(2) If the conditions set out in subsection (1) are not met, a temporary fixed support shall be used that meets the following requirements:

1. Subject to paragraph 2, a support used in a fall arrest system shall be capable of supporting a static force of at least 8 kilonewtons without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used.

2. If a shock absorber is also used in the fall arrest system, the support shall be capable of supporting a static force of at least 6 kilonewtons without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used.

3. Subject to paragraph 4, a support used in a fall restricting system must be capable of supporting a static force of at least 6 kilonewtons without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used.

4. Paragraph 3 does not apply to a support that is used in accordance with the manufacturer's written instructions and is adequate to protect a worker.

5. A support used in a travel restraint system shall be capable of supporting a static force of at least 2 kilonewtons without exceeding the allowable unit stress for each material used.

(3) Despite the requirements listed in subsection (2), the support capacity of a temporary fixed support used in a fall protection system may be determined by dynamic testing in accordance with good engineering practice to ensure that the temporary fixed support has adequate capacity to arrest a worker's fall.

(4) A fixed support shall not have any sharp edges that could cut, chafe or abrade the connection between it and another component of the system.

(5) Subsections (1) to (4) do not apply to fall restricting systems designed for use in wood pole climbing.

[O. Reg. 145/00, s. 14; 85/04, s. 8]

Anchor Systems

Construction Projects

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 26.7

IHSA Resources

MLITSD Resources

Anchor Systems

Summary

Legislation

Construction Projects

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 26.7

Resources

IHSA Resources

MLITSD Resources