PFAS - Suitable Anchorage Points

Scaffolding should not be used as an anchorage for personal fall arrest systems. Therefore, planning for suitable anchorage points should ideally be done before construction even begins. If properly planned, these anchorage points can be used after construction for window cleaning or building maintenance.

OSHA acknowledges that there is sometimes a need to devise an anchor point from existing structures. A qualified person should evaluate the suitability of these "make shift" anchorages with a focus on proper strength.

The strength of a personal fall arrest system is based on its being attached to an anchoring system which does not reduce the strength of the system. Therefore, if a means of attachment reduces the strength of the system, that component should be replaced by a stronger one, but one that will also maintain the appropriate maximum arrest force characteristics.

Following are examples of known strength reduction scenarios:

• Tie-off using a knot in a rope lanyard or lifeline can reduce the lifeline or lanyard strength by 50% or more.
• Tie-off of a rope lanyard or lifeline around an "H" or "I" beam or similar support can reduce its strength as much as 70% due to the cutting action of the beam edges.
• Tie-off where the line passes over or around rough or sharp surfaces reduces strength drastically.
• Horizontal lifelines may, depending on their geometry and angle of sag, be subjected to greater loads than the impact load imposed by an attached component.

To learn more about Scaffolding Safety visit our Construction Scaffolding Safety Online Training web page.