Roof Anchors: Selecting & Installing

A harness is only as good as the anchor it connects to. On a roof, anchors must hold the force of a fall, and they must be attached to solid structure, not just the sheathing. Many roofing falls happen because the anchor was weak, wrongly installed or missing.

• Roofers
• Contractors
• Homeowners' Contractors

Strength

• Anchors used for personal fall arrest must support at least 5,000 pounds per person attached, or be part of a system designed and supervised by a qualified person with a safety factor of at least two (1926.502(d)(15)).
• Read the manufacturer's rating and instructions; many are rated for a specific number of users, roof pitch and type of structure.
• Do not use vents, pipes, chimneys, skylights or gutters as anchors.

Types

• Temporary roof anchors: nailed or screwed to rafters or trusses, then removed or left in place. Some are single use; others can be reused if undamaged.
• Permanent anchors: installed with the roof for later maintenance, built into roof structure.
• Reusable and ridge anchors, and rope grabs on roof ropes. See Personal Fall Arrest Systems.

Installing

• Find the rafters or trusses and fasten into the structure, not only the plywood. Use the fasteners the maker specifies, in the right pattern and number.
• Install anchors high on the roof so the lanyard keeps you from reaching the edge, and so a fall does not swing you into obstructions. See Swing Falls and Fall Clearance.
• Install the first anchor safely from a ladder, lift or while using guardrails or another protection.
• Use anchors rated for the roof pitch and avoid damaged shingles or deck.
• Seal penetrations when anchors are removed, so the roof does not leak.

Inspection and use

• Inspect anchors before each use for bends, cracks, corrosion and loose fasteners
• Do not reuse an anchor that has been loaded in a fall; remove it from service
• Do not exceed the stated number of users
• Keep documentation, such as installation records for permanent anchors, and inspect them at the required intervals (often annually)
• Have a rescue plan. See Fall Rescue

Last updated: October 8, 2026