This Is Why You Should Invest In A Proper Fall Protection System

For many, fall protection is still a new concept. Did you know that according to OSHA regulations, fall protection is required for work performed only 1.8 metres from the ground?

You might think that there isn’t much risk involved and that it’s ok to take a chance but the truth is, it really isn’t. An unsafe working environment that leads to an accident will cost you money. In case you aren’t aware, lawsuits cost a pretty penny and so do the fines OSHA will impose on you for not following their regulations.

But, money isn’t the most important reason to install fall protection and comply with rooftop safety regulations. PEOPLE are the #1 reason to invest in proper fall protection for your property. Every worker that performs a task on your property deserves a safe working environment. If something were to happen to them because of negligence on your part, you will be held accountable.

It’s easy to get preoccupied with cost-saving, deflecting safety concerns and assessing the likelihood of an unannounced inspection from OSHA but before you go down this road, remember the real reason why you’re considering investing in fall protection — PEOPLE and their safety. If you look at fall protecting this way, it gives you a little more perspective.

Ensure the Safety of Your Workers with Quality Fall Protection

If you’re looking for high-quality fall protection systems, you’ve come to the right place. African Anchor Systems are distributors for all SafetyLink’s fall prevention products. No matter what type of roof you have, we have the solution.

Our products are tested extensively by accredited testing facilities to ensure maximum safety. Our team of experts can help you design the perfect solution for your unique roof size and type. For more information or to book a free consultation, get in touch with African Anchor Systems today.

Fall Protection Is More Affordable Than Paying For Falls

Think fall protection systems are expensive? Think again! We’re not saying they’re cheap. But, they are much more affordable than having a lawsuit on your hands and the penalties you’ll face from OSHA if an accident were to happen.

As a property owner or manager, safety should always be your primary concern. Accidents happen all the time, often due to negligence. The only way to avoid them is to have a proper fall protection system in place.

Fall protection provides an excellent ROI since it decreases incidents that might lead to worker compensation claims, litigation expenses, liability damages and high insurance premiums.

Employers are responsible for providing safe working conditions for workers. Not only is it stated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, but it’s also common decency to ensure the safety of anyone who works on your property.

Fall Protection Systems That Ensure Rooftop Safety

Roof Anchors play a vital role in rooftop safety. These components are designed to reduce the risk of damage to the structure as well as human injury and possess unique energy absorbing capabilities

Horizontal Lifeline Systems are equally important to make getting around on the roof safe and simple. SafetyLink lifelines eliminate the need to disconnect from one line to the other when crossing along lifelines.

Don’t cut corners! Install a reliable fall protection system to stay on the safe side. African Anchor Systems offer high-quality rooftop safety solutions to all South African property owners, architects and safety officers.

Our product range includes permanent and temporary roof anchors, horizontal lifeline systems, fall protection devices and ladder stabilisers. Our systems are rigorously tested to ensure maximum protection. No matter what type of roof you have, we have the best rooftop safety solution for your needs.

For more information or a free consultation, get in touch with the team today!

How Safe Are Your Rooftop Maintenance Workers?

As a building owner or manager, there are times when someone will need to access the roof of your property, whether it’s contractors, maintenance workers or inspectors. Roofs are dangerous so it’s vital to have a roof safety system in place to help direct the behaviour of these workers.

Even if the task on hand is minor and quick like inserting a piece of hardware or changing a filter, in a matter of seconds, anything can happen to put the life of the worker at risk. Besides safe working practices, there are some rules roof workers should adhere to.

  1. Never let workers go on the roof alone. If something were to happen to them, their teammate can call for help.
  2. Encourage communication with someone inside the building via phone or radio. Implementing a safety check every 15 minutes is frequent enough to allow the worker to do their job and to ensure their safety.
  3. Enforce permitted access. If anyone can access the roof at any time, it will be challenging to execute rules.
  4. Implement a roof rescue strategy. People should know which actions to take in the event of an accident.

 Roof Anchor Systems Saves Lives

No person should be allowed on the roof without a working roof anchor and lifeline system in place. The safety of your workers come first. Reckless working practices are a safety hazard and a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Are you looking for a reputable brand of roof anchor systems to ensure the safety of your workers? African Anchor Systems is the sole distributor of SafetyLink products in Africa. Our technical skills and experience afford us the knowledge to custom-design the proper safety system for your unique roof type and size.

Be a responsible property owner/manager and install the correct anchor system on your property’s roof. For more information or a free consultation, get in touch with the team today.

How To Get The Best Value For Money When Installing Rooftop Safety Equipment

There are certain safety regulations rooftop maintenance and construction workers need to consider before they even set foot on a roof. As with anything else, safety comes first.

According to the SAOH and Safety Act 1993, workers are required to use fall protection equipment to prevent them from falling from an elevated position.

No matter how big or small the job is, property owners and managers shouldn’t allow workers on the roof without permitted access and proper rooftop safety equipment in place.

Finding quality safety equipment might be challenging if you don’t know what to look for. Here are our top 2 tips for installing the correct rooftop safety solution and getting the best value for your money.

Use Credible and Experienced Suppliers

When it comes to the safety of your workers, it’s best to use credible suppliers for your safety equipment. You’ll want to choose a distributor with experience, a solid brand and high-quality products.

Africa Anchor Systems is an accredited distributor of SafetyLink roof safety products in South Africa. Our product range includes horizontal lifeline systems, permanent roof anchors, fall protection devices, ladder stabilisers and temporary anchor equipment.

Don’t Cut Corners on Quality to save a Few Rands

Cheap doesn’t equal value for money and the saying: “You get what you pay for” rings true in every sense. More often than not, cheap indicates corner-cutting of some sort.

We’re not saying you should go for the most expensive option either. Quality products at affordable prices should be your aim. As we’ve mentioned before, African Anchor Systems offers quality roof safety solutions and our prices are competitive in the market.

With our extensive industry experience, we are confident in the quality of the products we offer. Join our long list of satisfied customers and get in touch with African Anchor Systems for a free quote today!

Top 3 Fall Protection Myths Debunked By Professionals

As professional roof lifeline system installers, we’ve heard our fair share of fall protection statements in the past. Some of them true and others completely false. And since roof accidents are of a serious nature, it’s vital to know the truth before the unthinkable happens due to incorrect information. So, we’ve decided to set the record straight on some of the most ridiculous fall protection statements we’ve come across.

Myth 1: “You Don’t Need to Wear Safety Equipment If It’s Only Going to Take a Few Minutes”

The amount of time spent on a roof has nothing to do with the terms of using or wearing fall protection, making this statement completely untrue. Whether you spend 2 minutes or 2 hours at height, the risk of falling remains the same. No matter how long the work is going to take, the employer is responsible for providing the worker with proper fall protection equipment.

Myth 2: “Fall Protection Equipment Is One-Size-Fits-All”

This statement can’t be further from the truth. You can use the same fall protection for every application. Working on a beam in a factory hall requires different equipment than working on a roof. Fall arrest requires different equipment than working in fall restraint. An evaluation of your worksite should be carried out to see what type of fall protection to use.

Myth 3: “Fall Protection Is an Unnecessary Expense”

Many people believe that fall protection is costly but it all depends on what you deem important. Employee safety IS important. Preventing accidents IS important. Accidents that could lead to permanent disability or even death. Medical expenses are expensive and so are the cost of fines and compensation to the family of the victim. If you look at it this way, you’ll find that installing proper fall protection isn’t that expensive after all.

These untrue statements are dangerous if people believe them to be true. It’s our job to educate everyone on staying safe when working at height.  For more information about roof lifeline systems in Johannesburg or Cape Town, get in touch with Africa Anchor Systems today.

 

5 Rooftop Safety Hazards To Look Out For

Roof safety should be high on the priority list of every business owner or property manager. It’s vital to take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents and dangerous situations every time you or your team works on a rooftop. But you already know that, right?

Sometimes it’s just good to get a reminder of what to look out for, so below is a list of 5 rooftop safety hazards to keep in mind when accessing a rooftop.

Stability of the Roof

Before you access the roof, make sure the roof is stable and strong enough to support your weight. Assess the trusses and check the underlayment before stepping onto the roof.

Holes on the Roof

Roof holes can be as dangerous as roof edges. Make sure all skylights and other holes are covered according to OSHA 1910.23(a)(4) regulations or have a railing on all sides that are exposed.

Split Level Roofs

If your team engages in roofing maintenance or repairs on split-level or low-slope roofs with unprotected edges and sides more than 1.8 metres above lower levels, they are required to wear the proper fall protection equipment.

Incorrect Use of Fall Protection Equipment

It is critical that your team understand how to use fall protection equipment properly. A too-long lanyard, poorly anchored railing or weak tie-off point might have detrimental consequences.

Poor Roof Safety Training

Anyone working on a roof that hasn’t been trained properly is a rooftop hazard. Not only could they cause serious injury to themselves but to others as well.

No matter what the situation, it’s crucial to use fall protection when accessing a roof to ensure the safety of your team. If combined with proper training, the risk of your team falling victim to severe accidents become extremely slim. For more information about roof anchor fall prevention in Johannesburg, get in touch with the team at Africa Anchor Systems today!

Fall Prevention: Here’s Why A Roof Lifeline System Is The Best Option

Anytime you need access to large areas on your building’s roof to perform inspections, maintenance or repairs, OSHA requires you to have a fall protection system. There are many options available but a guardrail system might not be cost-effective and multiple anchor points might make it challenging to move around on your roof.

A roof lifeline system allows the user to access large sections of the roof, safely and efficiently. SafetyLink’s horizontal lifeline systems make crossing along lifelines quick and easy, without having to disconnect from the line at any point. Based on the user’s access requirements, the roof lifeline system can be positioned to keep them in fall arrest or restraint.

Features and benefits of Roof Lifeline Systems offered by Africa Anchor Systems

FrogLine horizontal lifelines offer a low profile design combined with energy absorbing capabilities to allow for smooth movement into every end, corner and intermediate anchor. No matter the length of the line, FrogLine roof lifeline systems offers maximum energy absorption.

  • Low profile design (Patented)
  • Quick and efficient fall protection installation
  • Advanced shock absorbing capabilities
  • Unique built-in fall indicators
  • Stainless steel components (solid 316)
  • Fast connect shuttle
  • Smooth transition from one area to the next
  • Can be installed on various surfaces like steel and concrete and fitted to the wall, floor or mounted to a surface

Extensive testing performed and manufactured according to the following standards:

AS/NZS 1891.2 (New Zealand and Australia)

EN 795:2012, CEN/TS 16415:2013 (Europe)

FrogLine roof lifeline systems are superior to other lifeline systems as we constantly improve and evolve to suit the industry’s building and design materials.

If you are an architect or roofing contractor looking for high-quality roof lifeline systems in Johannesburg and surrounds, get in touch with the team at Africa Anchor Systems and we’ll be more than happy to assist.

Secure Employee Safety With This Safety Lifeline System

Without proper fall protection, your employee’s lives could be in danger. And if something were to happen while they are on your watch, you’d be faced with enormous fines, unpleasant lawsuits and to top it all off, a guilty conscience. One has to ask: “Is it really worth all the potential trouble to save a few rands?”

Safety lifeline systems are used in nearly every commercial and industrial setting. Anywhere construction or building maintenance and cleaning take place, fall protection is needed.

Determining the best safety solution for your business can be a challenge but African Anchor Systems is here to help you choose the best option for your application. By offering various lifeline systems, you can be sure you’re getting the best value for your money.

One of our best solutions is the SafetyLink FrogLine horizontal lifeline system. This lifeline system makes crossing along lifelines quick and easy. It also eliminates having to disconnect from the line at any time. The corners are designed specifically to allow free movement of the innovative shuttles.

To enable effortless energy absorbing into every corner, end and intermediate anchor, the Flogline horizontal lifeline has a low profile design. Regardless of the horizontal line length, this inventive approach guarantees that maximum energy absorption.

African Anchor Systems Offer the Best Safety Lifeline Solutions for Your Business

At African Anchor we have developed a superior product to suit every building and design material available on the market. Our horizontal lifelines and roof anchors can be installed on nearly any material, be it steel or concrete as well as any surface.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Secure employee safety with quality and affordable fall protection from African Anchor Systems. Get in touch with the team for more information or a free quote today!

Create Safe Working Conditions During Construction and Afterwards with Single Anchor Point Roof Systems

As a rule, engineers and architects don’t typically add permanent fall protection anchor points to their building design, unless it’s required by project owners such as managers of large facilities or government agencies.

In most cases, the fall protection system and anchor points that are used during the construction phase are removed once the building is complete and are only considered a means to get the job done. Upon completion of the building, many engineers and architects don’t concern themselves with the need to install fall protection anchor points that will allow employees a safe working environment. But they should!

Single anchor point roof systems installed during construction can offer worker safe working conditions then as well as afterwards when maintenance is needed. If these fall protection systems are included in the initial design and construction, no employee or contractor would have to risk their lives with dangerous improvised methods.

While there are many single anchor point roof systems available, one that stands out from the crowd is the RetroLink. This abseiling anchor point is created for use on steel purlin structure or metal roofing. Even if you can gain access to the underside of the roof, you can install the SafetyLink onto a metal Z or C purlin. Tested to AS NZS 5532-2013 standards, the SafetyLink Retro Eyebolt is rated to 15kN. It reduces the load on the person attached to the anchor and the structure with its flexible design.

Benefits of Choosing Safetylink

  • Single person anchor
  • Multi-directional fall protection
  • 316 stainless steel construction
  • Fits to the roof sheeting pan
  • The anchor can be used for abseiling since it is energy absorbing

Permanent single anchor point roof systems should be a priority for both engineers and architects when designing buildings.

Africa Anchor Safety Systems is a market leader in fall protection systems. For more information or specifications for SafetyLink rooftop solutions, get in touch with the team today!

Ensure Maximum Protection With a Quality Fall Protection System Installation

Fall protection is considered one of the most important elements of any business today. Installing a quality roof lifeline safety system and anchor can protect your company from unnecessary lawsuits. Fall injuries can create a severe financial burden for not only the injured employee but the employer as well.

Did you know that one of the most common causes of severe work-related injuries are falls? And injury isn’t always the end of it, sometimes it can even lead to death. It is vital that you as a business owner put worker safety high up on your priority list. Take time to create and implement a solid fall protection system that will lower the risk of injury and death.

When Do I Need a Fall Protection System?

As a rule of thumb, in a general industry, you’ll need a roof anchor system when working on surfaces as low as 1.2 meters above the next lower level. When it comes to the construction industry, the minimum height is 1.8 meters.

Any time your staff need to work over dangerous machinery or equipment, there’s no minimum height. They are required to make use of fall protection at all times.

According to The Occupational Health and Safety Act you, the employer needs to make sure the person doing the work is competent. The worker should have the necessary training, proper equipment and the correct rescue procedures for working at height.

As an employer, you have a moral and legal obligation to protect your staff from injury and death when they are on your premises. For quality roof anchor systems at affordable rates, get in touch with one of the best fall protection companies in Johannesburg for a free consultation and quote. The team at Africa Anchor Systems are waiting for your call.