An “anchor” has several literal and figurative meanings. It is widely known as the cable and weight cast overboard to hold a boat in place. It can also be a large business in a shopping centre that attracts customers who will then decide to visit the other stores.

Like a ship’s anchor, a rooftop anchor stands securely in place. Like a department store, it is a major attraction because it is the foundation of fall protection for rooftop workers using lifelines to inspect, maintain, and repair building services systems, wash windows, restore façades, or handle construction and equipment installation tasks.

National, provincial, and territorial standards require roof anchors to be used with lifeline systems, known as “active” fall protection equipment.

On the federal level, Canadian Occupational & Safety & Health Regulations SOR/86-304, Section 12.09(c) lists the components of these personal fall-protection systems (e.g., harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting devices, energy absorbers), including (k) Z259.15, Anchorage connectors. The anchors can be permanent or temporary.

National, provincial, and territorial standards for anchor strength vary, requiring load capacities between 16 to 22.2 kilonewtons (approximately 3,600 to 5,000 lbs.) or the ability to withstand at least twice the maximum arrest force in any direction.

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