RE-CERTIFICATION

We provide a comprehensive osha compliant certification program for Your Suspended Access and fall protection systems

ABOUT

Pro-Bel’s Roof Anchor Certification Program will help guide building owners, managers and employers through compliance and certification of roof anchors. This certification is in respect to OSHA requirements for Rope Decent Systems (RDS) for window cleaning and fall protection; working safely at heights under OSHA’s General Industry Walking-Working Surface and Fall Protection standard. As per OSHA’s 2017 updates, building owners are required to identify, test, maintain and certify anchors for Rope Decent Systems (RDS) and Fall Protection.

The certification service is delivered by Pro-Bel’s expert team of compliance specialists, professional engineers and experienced staff. Consultation begins by signing up for our annual inspection service and/or other services depending on the degree of compliance. This certification management program is already underway for those with current annual inspection and service agreements with us.

CONTACT US

You should get in touch with us to start the certification process when any, or a combination of the following occurs:

10 year recertification is coming due or is overdue
Engineer approved equipment detail only on site (no roof plan identifying anchor locations available)
Roof plan that is not approved by a professional engineer
Anchors or structure failed load testing and require corrective action
Anchors/equipment damaged and require repair/replacement
The previous 10 year recertification was completed with only testing and no drawing production; Typically done before OSHA standard for Rope Descent System (RDS) was released
No information is available on the anchor system and/or the building/structure is without anchors
Additional anchors are required for safety and function

Rainbow banner with the words identify, inspect, test, maintain and certify on it

THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Certification is a combination of things. OSHA states anchors for Rope Descent Systems (RDS) must be identified, inspected, tested, and maintained. Based on these criteria, the Pro-Bel Certification Process is as follows:

Engineered Roof Plans For Rope Descent Systems (RDS)

Roof plans with an engineer’s seal of approval (stamped, signed, and dated) are the main control documents certifying the system. At a minimum, they consist of a roof plan that identifies the location of the anchors, equipment sections detailing the structural attachment, and material characteristics of the anchors and supporting structure. They also include important general and restrictive usage, inspection, testing, and maintenance notes that workers (window cleaners) must read and understand before starting work. They also aid in the production of work plans before the start of a project.

Inspection

Per OSHA and most manufacturers, anchor inspections are required annually, at a minimum, and must be completed by a Qualified Person.

For more information about Inspections, visit our Inspections page.

Testing

OSHA requires anchors for RDS to be load tested. For specific information about these requirements, visit our Load Testing page.

Maintenance and Repair

Following the inspection, if deficiencies are noted, maintenance or repair must be completed by a Qualified Person (certified service technician). Once completed, a maintenance and repair report is prepared to document the scope of work completed and determine whether the anchor/s in question are considered acceptable for safe use. This report will be after the inspection reports and should be kept on-site with the logbook.

Certification

Once the above is completed, Certification that each anchor meets the requirements in 1910.27(b)(1)(i) is provided.

PARTIALLY CERTIFIED/ UNCERTIFIED ANCHOR

In general, this certification process may take time and needs to be taken in steps. However, if possible, during the certification process, specific control measures can be put in place to keep scheduled window cleaning on track even without full certification.

For more information, download the Pro-Bel Roof Anchor Certification Program Whitepaper below or call us!

Download Whitepaper

A quick glance at our current Inspections and Certification portfolio for Rope Descent Systems across the United States:

FAQ

When is certification needed?

Pro-Bel goes by the stamping date on the roof anchor plan when defining the date for the 10 year re-certification. (i.e. If the original drawings were stamped October 4, 2008, the 10 year re-certification is due prior to October 4, 2018)

Who needs this service?

Will there be any noise for this work?

How quickly can I get this work completed?

As the OSHA regulations are somewhat new, many buildings have been scrambling to make sense of when and how this work needs to be completed on their buildings. Due to this, and as the engineer needs to create a building specific test prescription prior to the onsite work starting, Pro-Bel typically requires approximately 3 to 4 weeks from the time we receive the signed quote/contract to start the load testing for certification.

Will I be notified if my equipment is not able to be certified/re-certified?

What if my system is a mixed-use between chair and suspended platform?

What if I have a davit arm system for temporary platform use?

In this case, as of today, the certification under OSHA enforcement is not required. This type of system temporarily uses a suspended stage for window cleaning and as such it is governed by 1926 Subpart L. That being said, in our expert opinion, it won’t be long before OSHA enforces this certification on all types of systems including, but not limited to, suspended platforms and fall protection/fall restraint as well. We recommend that the service still be completed as a best practice method to keep all workers safe.

What is a Qualified Person?

“Qualified” means one who, by the possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.Please note: Rope Descent Systems (RDS) are the most common and widely used process to clean high-rise buildings in North America.

At a minimum, what does OSHA expect from a building owner?

Provide evidence that the building owner has contacted a Qualified Person to inspect, test, and certify RDS anchors Provide written evidence of an agreement with a Qualified Person to provide these services, such as an executed contract or letter of confirmation from the Qualified Person Provide OSHA with written evidence of the anticipated dates of inspection, testing, or certification, as appropriate Provide evidence that a diligent effort was made to complete RDS anchor inspection, testing, and certification before work is to begin; and Inform employers who may use RDS that the anchors have not been inspected, tested, and certified.