How Often do Roof Anchor Points Need to be Inspected?
Roof anchor points need to be inspected regularly to verify their condition and determine whether they remain suitable for continued use. Roof anchor points are safety-critical components of height safety and fall protection systems, used to support fall restraint, fall arrest and rope access activities. Like other height safety assets, anchor points require regular inspection to verify their condition and determine whether they remain suitable for continued use.
Building owners, facility managers and asset managers are often unsure how often inspections are required, what they involve and what happens when defects are found.
This guide explains what roof anchor point inspections involve, why they are important and how regular inspections support ongoing compliance and safe work at height.
AS/NZS 1891.4 requires permanently installed roof anchor points to be inspected by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Regular inspections help verify that anchor points remain in serviceable condition, are correctly identified and labelled, and continue to be suitable for their intended role within a height safety and fall protection system.
An annual inspection typically reviews:
- The condition of the anchor point
- Signs of corrosion, damage or deterioration
- Visible fixings and attachment components
- Identification and inspection tags
- Previous inspection and maintenance records
- Whether maintenance, rectification or further assessment is required
The 12-month inspection period should be treated as the maximum routine interval.
Inspection requirements for roof anchor points
Do roof anchor points need to be inspected before their next due date?
In some circumstances, yes.
Additional inspections should be considered where a roof anchor point or height safety system may have been affected by:
- A fall-arrest event
- Visible damage, corrosion or deterioration
- Building works or roof replacement works
- Structural modifications near the anchor point
- Extreme weather or environmental events
- Damage caused by contractors, equipment or maintenance activities
- Missing or damaged identification tags
- Changes that may affect the suitability of the system for its intended use
A roof anchor point that may have been damaged or compromised should not remain in service until the next annual inspection simply because it has not yet reached its inspection due date.
Where there is uncertainty about the condition, integrity or compliance status of an anchor point, the system should be assessed by a competent person and its status clearly documented before continued use.
What does a roof anchor point inspection cover?
A roof anchor point inspection is more than a quick visual check. The scope of an inspection will depend on the type of anchor point, how it was installed, its intended use and the documentation available for the system.
A roof anchor point inspection may include:
- Assessing the condition of the anchor point
- Identifying signs of corrosion, damage or deterioration
- Inspecting visible fixings and attachment components
- Confirming identification labels and inspection tags remain legible
- Reviewing previous inspection and maintenance records
- Reviewing available certification and installation documentation
- Identifying defects, observations or compliance issues that may require attention
- Determining whether maintenance, rectification works or further assessment is required
- Determining whether anchor point testing is required
The objective of an inspection is to determine whether the system remains suitable for continued use and to identify any issues that may affect safety, compliance or future maintenance requirements.
Inspection findings should be clearly documented so building owners and facility managers can understand the condition of their height safety assets, prioritise maintenance activities and maintain accurate compliance records.
What about harnesses, lanyards and other equipment?
Roof anchor points are only one part of a broader height safety and fall protection system. Harnesses, lanyards, connectors and other personal protective equipment used with roof anchor points also have inspection requirements.
While roof anchor points are inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months, personal height safety equipment is subject to more frequent inspection requirements.
Under AS/NZS 1891.4, harnesses, lanyards, fall-arrest devices and other relevant personal equipment require formal inspection by a competent person every six months, in addition to pre-use checks by the user.
For organisations managing height safety systems, this means there may be multiple inspection schedules operating at the same time:
- Roof anchor points inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months
- Harnesses, lanyards and relevant personal equipment inspected every six months
- User checks completed before use
- Equipment involved in a fall-arrest event withdrawn from service until assessed
Understanding these different inspection requirements helps ensure both roof anchor points and the equipment used with them remain compliant, serviceable and ready for use when needed.
What happens if a roof anchor point fails an inspection?
A failed roof anchor point does not necessarily mean the entire height safety system must be replaced. However, it does mean the affected anchor point should not continue to be used as part of a height safety or fall protection system until the issue has been assessed and appropriately addressed.
Inspection findings may identify:
- Damage or deterioration
- Corrosion
- Missing or illegible identification
- Installation defects
- Structural concerns
- Compliance issues
Depending on the issue identified, the anchor point may need to be withdrawn from service, repaired, replaced or subject to further assessment.
Any actions taken should be clearly documented so building owners and facility managers have an accurate record of the asset’s condition, the work performed and the current status of the system.
Identifying issues during an inspection allows organisations to address problems before they create greater operational, compliance or safety risks.
What should you receive after a roof anchor point inspection?
After a roof anchor point inspection, building owners and facility managers should receive clear documentation showing the condition of each roof anchor point, any defects or compliance issues identified, and any actions that may be required.
Many inspection providers issue a summary report that provides only a high-level overview of system condition. While this may confirm that an inspection has taken place, it often provides limited information about individual assets and their condition over time.
RIGCOM provides full item-level asset registers, with each asset individually recorded and cross-referenced to a layout drawing. Where defects or compliance issues are identified, separate observation reports provide clear visibility of the issue, its location and any recommended corrective actions.
This level of documentation helps organisations:
- Track individual assets over time
- Maintain accurate inspection histories
- Understand identified defects and compliance issues
- Prioritise maintenance and rectification works
- Plan future inspections and recertification activities
- Maintain visibility across large or multi-site property portfolios
For building owners and facility managers, detailed inspection records provide greater confidence that height safety assets are being properly managed and maintained throughout their lifecycle.
Need help with roof anchor point inspections?
RIGCOM provides roof anchor point inspection and testing services for height safety and fall protection systems across commercial buildings, government facilities, industrial sites and managed property portfolios.
Where issues are identified, RIGCOM can provide recommendations for maintenance, rectification, recertification and ongoing compliance management.
To discuss roof anchor point inspections or arrange an inspection, contact the RIGCOM team.
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