Every fall arrest or fall restraint system is only as strong as the point it is tied to. Get the anchor wrong and the harness, lanyard, training, all of it becomes paperwork. Here is how anchor points work in Ireland.
Why EN 795 matters
Across the EU and Ireland, fall protection anchor points are governed by BS EN 795. The standard sets the minimum strength (12 kN static, 10 kN dynamic for most types) and tells you exactly what kind of testing the anchor must have passed before it can carry a worker. If your anchor does not have an EN 795 mark on the plate or in the test certificate, it is not an anchor - it is just a piece of metal you hope is strong enough.
The five EN 795 types
- Type A: structural anchor permanently fixed to a building (eyebolts in concrete, roof anchors, beam clamps)
- Type B: portable anchor (a tripod over a confined space, a deadweight system on a flat roof)
- Type C: horizontal flexible line - a wire rope running along a roof edge that workers slide along
- Type D: horizontal rigid line - a steel rail running along a maintenance walkway
- Type E: deadweight (counterweight) anchor - heavy enough that even at full arrest it does not move
What is NOT an anchor
Workers improvise. The HSA prosecutes. Avoid these traps:
- Handrails and balustrades - never tested for arrest loads
- Soil pipe vents and gas flue terminals - they will pull straight out of the roof
- Velux skylight frames - decorative aluminium, not load bearing
- Lighting columns and aerial masts - rated for wind load, not for the catastrophic spike of a fall arrest
- Roof trusses on lightweight timber houses - might hold, might not
- HVAC plant on a flat roof - designed to sit, not to be tied to
Mass and force - why 12 kN is the magic number
A 100 kg worker falling 2 metres on a fully deployed energy absorber generates a peak force around 6 kN on the body. The anchor sees about 9-10 kN at the same instant. EN 795 requires the anchor to survive 12 kN, which gives a 20% safety margin. Anything below 12 kN is below code.
Inspection cycle for installed anchors
- Visual check before every use: by the wearer, looking for corrosion, missing fixings, signs of impact
- Annual inspection: by a competent person, recorded in the building H&S file
- Re-certification every 5-10 years: manufacturer-dependent, may include destructive pull testing of a sample
Selecting the right anchor for the job
| Job | Anchor type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent roof maintenance | Type A or C | Always available, certified, simple |
| One-off skylight survey | Type E deadweight | No structural drilling, immediate |
| Confined space entry | Type B tripod | Vertical lift over the manhole |
| Wind farm tower climb | Type D rigid rail | Continuous vertical protection |
| Mobile MEWP basket | Built-in basket anchor | EN 795 inside the basket itself |
The two pull tests every Irish site needs
- Visual pull: a competent person leans on the anchor with body weight - any movement, any creak, do not use it.
- Logged pull test: mechanical or hydraulic pull to manufacturer specification, signed off in the building H&S file. Required after installation, after major building works, and on the periodic cycle.
Working at Heights Training and anchor literacy
The Working at Heights Course online trains workers to recognise a real anchor, refuse a fake one and document the choice. That last part - documenting why an anchor was chosen - is the bit the HSA looks for. After 45 minutes your operative downloads the Working at Heights Certificate and your employer compliance pack is one item closer to complete.
FAQs
Can I drill my own eyebolt anchors into a roof?
Only if you are a structural anchor installer with the manufacturer training and the EN 795 test certificates. For most Irish sites, hire a specialist or use a Type E deadweight system instead.
Do horizontal lifelines need to be tensioned each day?
Type C systems should be checked daily for tension and corrosion; the manufacturer schedule overrides the general rule.
Are deadweight anchors legal in Ireland?
Yes if they are EN 795 Type E and properly weighted for the maximum arrest load. Do NOT improvise with sandbags or pallets of bricks.
Make every worker anchor-literate. Start the Working at Heights Course online, instant download Working at Heights Certificate, HSA aligned, RoSPA approved.
