What to Expect from Your Roof Anchor Inspection
As with any other workplace safety issue, roof anchor inspections are mandated and enforced by OSHA to keep rooftop and façade workers safe. Wikstrom Engineering Consulting, P.C. ensures that hundreds of clients across the country remain compliant with OSHA roof safety requirements and we’d like to share our expertise with you to help you prepare for your roof anchor inspection.
Who performs a roof anchor inspection?
OSHA does not formally retain and title inspectors within their organization—you must seek out and connect with a qualified and experienced engineer yourself. It is important for the integrity of your company and the safety of your employees that the professional you hire meets OSHA standards for a qualified person. Wikstrom Engineering Consulting meets and exceeds this and maintains a stellar reputation for inspection services thanks to our 14 years of experience in inspecting and confidently certifying rooftop anchorage systems. A rooftop inspection is never a one-size-fits-all experience—unique situations can and do arise, and hiring a company with the skill, experience, and reputation of Wikstrom Engineering Consulting illustrates to your stakeholders that you take workplace safety seriously.
How often should you have your roof anchor system inspected?
Ideally, you’re performing at least a quick visual inspection of your rooftop anchors prior to each use. Check for any visible damage or poor maintenance, and if you see any equipment that shows signs of being defective, remove it from service immediately and get it properly tested, repaired, or replaced. In addition to pre-use inspection, to maintain OSHA compliance your anchor systems must be inspected by a qualified person annually, and if an inspection is missed, they must be inspected and certified prior to next use. This can lead to delays in work, so it’s best for both safety and productivity to keep on track with your yearly inspections.
While inspections are required on an annual basis, Per OSHA, anchor systems must be recertified by testing every 10 years. There are some differences across regulatory bodies, however, the latest American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) requirements for Powered Platforms for Building Maintenance requires certification testing of anchors using epoxy or adhesive fasteners every five years. ASME and ANSI, in addition to OSHA, are considered the industry standard for safety.
What is assessed in a roof anchor inspection?
In general, a qualified person will:
- Ensure your anchor layout meets industry standards
- Inspect anchorages according to OSHA 1910, ASME A120.1, and IWCA I-14.1 requirements
- Inspect for levels of corrosion that may affect operation
- Inspect for physical damage, including cracks, manufacturing deformation, and burrs
- Inspect for cracks on self-retracting lifelines
- Perform a pull test on all fixings
- Perform a load test to required specifications when necessary
- Issue a Certificate of Compliance, a logbook, and all the documentation necessary to meet OSHA and industry standards
What are some common considerations in a roof anchor inspection?
Something experts know to take into consideration when inspecting a rooftop safety system is the climate of the building location. In areas where the environment is more harsh, including humid, wet, or snowy areas, damage can exacerbate more quickly. Your consultant may advise more frequent inspections to minimize the time between the issue and its discovery.
Additionally, your inspector will want to be aware of how often your rooftop anchor system is used. Like harsh environmental factors, more frequent use can lead to faster deterioration and more issues between annual inspections.
If issues are found, your inspector should compile notes and photographs into a report that outlines the problems, cites the relevant sections of standards they are noncompliant with, and propose repairs needed before the system is safe to use again and to ensure compliance.
How do I set up an inspection?
To maintain OSHA compliance, an inspection needs to be performed by a qualified person, not necessarily an official OSHA representative. As such, you can contact a trusted & experienced rooftop anchor system testing/inspecting company, such as Wikstrom Engineering Consulting, to set up both the initial 5- or 10-year load/function certification and/or your annual safety inspection. Our process is simple—just choose your necessary service, receive a quote, and schedule the work—we’ll take care of the rest to ensure you’re safe and compliant!
Want confidence in your rooftop safety system? Make your annual inspections smooth and streamlined—contact Wikstrom Engineering now!
Wikstrom Engineering Consulting, P.C. has over 14 years of experience and clients across the country—we perform over 375 inspections annually to ensure the safety and compliance of rooftop fall protection systems. Put your employees in the hands of experts you can trust.
