Fall arrest anchors are installed to provide support for window washing equipment and crews. If the safety equipment is not maintained in good working order, lives can easily be lost to senseless accidents. The requirements are maintained by OSHA in the United States and other government agencies in other countries. Through use and abuse the equipment begins to degrade. It is critical to learn to inspect the equipment prior to each use.

The equipment should be inspected before and after every use. Many people simply trust that their equipment is in good working condition and fail to check. Unfortunately, this leads to many deaths every year. Waiting until a line or harness snaps is too late. If you are a company owner, this can end up costing you financially as well.

Reviewing the harness should be done prior to putting it on. The inspection involves several parts. First, check that none of the webbing is frayed or cut. Next, look at the D-rings to be sure they are not cracked or bent. The buckles should be inspected when looking at the webbing. This is a point where failure happens often. Grommets should also be viewed to be sure they are not coming loose.

The safety line lanyards and snap hooks need to be checked prior to use. The rope itself should not be frayed, discolored, or have excessive wear. This part receives much of the abuse because it often gets caught on other equipment. Since it hangs loose until needed, it can be damaged by being pinched or torn.

Testing self-retracting lifelines prior to use is easy to do. The lines should be pulled out several feet and allowed to slowly retract. If it does not retract properly, replace the device completely. These devices are not easily repaired and should be serviced by a manufacturer’s representative or at a service center.

Roof anchors that hold window washing equipment should be tested prior to work. Most are already installed and will be just fine. However, you will want to look at it and test it prior to use. If all of your equipment is working fine but the anchor fails, you will be seriously injured. If you are not sure how to review this part, have someone who is familiar with them do the inspection.

Equipment needs to be cleaned and stored in order to extend its life. Throwing the harness and other safety equipment into the back of a truck simply exposes them to rain and other weather elements. These shorten the useful life by degrading them due to unnecessary conditions. Treat the equipment well and it may save your life.

Fall arrest Roof Anchors save lives many days. However, if the safety equipment is not maintained and stored properly it can fail over time. There is a reason for OSHA standards. This reason is to save lives by making sure all workers are safe. Roof anchors can only do part of the job. The crew must make sure the safety equipment can do the rest.

With over thirty years of experience in seven countries you can trust the experts in Window Washing Equipment.