The Magenta Book

The Magenta Book
Safety lines

ACR Best Practice Guide

ACR[CP]007: 2015 Rev2 – (Part 1) Best Practice for the use of Horizontal Safety Lines in Roofwork
ACR[M]002:2015 Rev2 – (Part2) Testing of Roof Anchors on Roof Systems
ACR Information sheet No 4 Rev3- BS EN 795 and the 89/686/EEC Directive

One of the main causes of deaths and injuries at work each year is falling from height, particularly through or from roofs. To ensure safety during roofwork and to maintain roof safety requires the commitment of all those involved in the procurement process to ensure that correct fall protection measures are used.

Where collective fall protection is not possible personal fall protection equipment must be used. However many of these rely on horizontal safety lines fixed, using ‘top fix’ anchors, to the roof sheeting rather than through them to the roof support structure.

This has raised concerns about:

  • The horizontal safety line and anchor reliability;
  • The frequency of inspection;
  • The adequacy of testing; and
  • Their overall performance

Part 1 of this Best Practice Guide addresses these issues and gives practical advice on what the ACR considers is ‘current best practice’ for the design, installation; commissioning, operation, use and maintenance of horizontal safety lines and single point anchors fixed or supported by ‘top fix’ brackets.

Whilst it primarily concentrates on profiled roofs, those engaged in other similar activities can also benefit from the advice given, as many of the principles do apply and offer good practice.

Part 2 is a material standard which addresses the performance issues and gives practical advice on what the ACR considers is ‘current best practice’ for the testing of Roof Anchors on Roof Systems.

Revision 2:

Note : Revision 2 is a cumulative revision of Rev 1 and CDM update

Rev1 -Both documents have been reviewed and updated to take account of EN 795 2012 Personal fall protection equipment – Anchor devices and CEN TC 16415 2013 Personal fall protection equipment – Anchor devices – Recommendations for anchor devices for use by more than one person simultaneously.

Subsequently both publication have also now been updated to reflect CDM 2015 latest requirements .

Part 1 – 1st published 01/06/08

Rev 1 publication withheld awaiting changes to CDM

Rev 2 published 6/10/2015

Download Part 1 PDF (5mb)

Part 2 -1st published 29/08/09

Rev 1 publication withheld awaiting changes to CDM

Rev 2 published 6/10/2015

Download Part 2 PDF (1mb)

ACR Information sheet No 4 Rev1 provided updated information in regard to the current issues and debate surrounding the relationship between BS EN 795 and the European PPE Directive 89/686/EEC. An annexe was enclosed that provided a detailed paper from the ESF of a possible way forward to resolve the current debate.

Rev 2 : Many seem confused with regards to testing to EN 795 1996 and 2012 as well as the requirement to CE marking generally. Rev2 now provides summary points that may assist readers understanding the requirements

Rev3 : This is an update of the current position as of January 2016 following the publication of EN 795: 2012 in the Official Journal (December 2015) of the EU harmonising types B and E equipment.

Information sheet No 4 – 1st published 12/05/2012

Rev 1 published 31/05/2014

Rev 2 published 16/06/2015

Rev 3 published 17/02/2016

Download Information Sheet no 4 rev 3 PDF (1mb)

Hard copies of these publications are not available