Information tags are commonly placed on roof anchor points and other components of height safety systems. What do they mean?
Component tags are becoming increasingly common on safe access and fall protection systems. Although a system will also have an information plate installed at the entry point, the general practice amongst those in the fall protection industry is also to include individual tags on each anchor point – both fixed roof anchor points and those installed as part of a static line system.
Why are anchor tags used?
The primary benefits of roof anchor tags are three-fold.
First, they can provide a unique identifier for each anchor point that is installed on a building. This means that should issues arise, there is no ambiguity around which parts of the system need to be looked at or which anchors have been affected.
Paired with that, anchor tags can be used to mark anchors that have not passed a recent compliance inspection and are awaiting rectification. This is particularly helpful in situations where a building’s height safety system may have originally provided for full roof access but, because of the failed anchor, has only been recertified for partial or restricted access.
Secondly, they can provide something of an information summary regarding the type of anchor its intended use and the maximum number of workers that can be connected to it as well as the force rating (in kilo-newtons, or kN) of the anchor.
What information can be shown on an anchor tag?
There are no formal requirements around what can or cannot be shown on an anchor tag. And although the specifics and presentation can differ between height safety companies there are a few common traits that will appear on many, if not all, anchor tags.
Just about every case, the tag will have some sort of identification number on it. This number reflected in the asset register for the system, where further details about the anchor point, its state of compliance and the system more generally is recorded.
At Height Safety Engineers, our anchor tags include a mark where the type of anchor – either fall arrest or abseil – can be shown. While anyone using an anchor-based fall protection system should be able to identify themselves what type of anchor they are connecting to, in systems where multiple types of anchor points are used some extra clarity never hurt.
Our anchor tags also include what load the anchor point is certified to. Typically, this also appears as a mark on the anchor itself. However, if an anchor point is installed in a gravel garden bed, or amongst plants or in other situations, it can be hard for workers to see those markings. Repeated it on the tag puts all that information in the one, easily accessible place.
Along with the load rating, the number of users that can be connected to the anchor point – or individual span of a static line – may also be included.
Finally, most anchor point tags will have some method of recording the anchor point’s inspection schedule. This can either be written, usually as month and year the last inspection was undertaken or, as with the HSE tags, a matrix where the most recent inspection is marked in the relevant box. This allows the anchor tag to be kept across several years, detailing the inspection history of the anchor point.
What should I do if a tag is missing?
If working on a system where anchor points have been individually tagged and you come across one where the tag is missing, the first thing you should do is immediately stop and not connect to that anchor point. A missing anchor tag may be an indication the anchor point has not passed inspection, is not compliant and, potentially, not safe for use.
There could be any number of reasons why an anchor tag is missing. It’s important that, should an anchor with a missing tag be noticed on site that it is determined what the reason for the missing tag is.
To achieve this, the first thing to do is to go back and check the system information and compliance plate at the entry point to the work area. Has the system been inspected within 12 months?
Following this, the asset register should be reviewed. It may be possible to determine which anchor point is missing its tag, and from there review its status at the last compliance inspection.
The compliance certificate from the last inspection should also be checked. In situations where a full access system has been partially failed and marked as restricted access only, the certificate may detail where the non-compliant features of the system are.
What is being completed here is the building of a more complete picture of the system itself, and the anchor point. Confirming details and checking for human error. Mistakes do happen, after all.
It is entirely possible that the anchor tag may have simply become dislodged, and its removal went unnoticed at the time. But until that is determined, and the compliance of the anchor point confirmed, the safest option to take is to assume non-compliance and to not use the anchor point.
Not every system uses anchor tags
Although anchor point tags are incredibly common, they are not universal. Not every system a worker accesses will have tags on its anchor points.
In these situations, it is critical that workers have the skills to be able to assess whether the anchor point is fit to be used. Checking fall protection system components is part of the individual worker’s duty of care to themselves, and an indication of their competency to access the system and carry out the work.
Before starting work, anyone needing to access a height safety system should be checking for a compliance certificate, asset register and roof plans to determine the general level of safety of the system they are about to connect to.
Partners in protecting people
Height Safety Engineers have been in the business of protecting people working at height and in high-risk environments for over 20 years.
Our team focus on delivering holistic, easy-to-use and compliant safety systems of the highest quality. This approach means we look beyond the physical system, considering the processes, procedures and knowledge that is required to keep workers safe.
To start your safety journey with us simply call 1300 884 978, email enquiries@heightsafety.net or fill out the contact form found at the top of this page.
