Posted By Chris Pope
No - its there for fall restraint not fall arrest

Posted By James K
Robert,
As stated by Chris the anchor point in an MEWP is for restraint only and should be used in conjunction with a restrictor. In ireland the HSA frown upon the use of a lanyard inside an MEWP.
The only disadvantage with the anchor on the roof is that you are restricted in so far as the pitch on the roof needs to be 10 degrees or less.
I had reason to ask the same question a few months ago and this is the informatoin that I received from the supplier of the man anchor.
Plus the roof cannot have any profiles on it.
Can you give a bit more info an the roof make up. Is it concrete or sheeting? Parapet ? Is it possible to drill into the roof and insert anchor points from which you could position a lifeline from which you could work a retractable reel?
I came across a situation one day whereby a contractor was in the process of securing a liftline from one MEWP to another MEWP going across the roof and he was going to tie-off to this line. Stupidity at its best.

Posted By CFT
Robert

The above comments not withstanding, can we offer any alternatives for the roof works/access?

CFT

Posted By Nigel
Robert,

You opened by mentioning problems organising some roof work but have then only asked a very specific question. It's hard to see the context therefore I can only answer the specific question.

I would say that you're very unlikely to be able to find a manufacturer/supplier that would support fall arrest attachment in their cherry pickers. This is as much to do with the overall stability of the vehicle as it is to do with the actual anchor point. They just can't guarentee it won't fall over when subjected to fall arrest forces under real working conditions.

As an aside, although I believe it is in the process of being updated, I understand that the current British standard covering MEWPs does not even require an anchor point to be fitted. Anyone know better?

Just in case you were able to find a cherry picker rated for fall arrest attachment ... you would then need to ensure that the inertia reel-type fall arrest device was fit for use over an edge. Increasingly they are but you should always check. Don't take the word of a salesman either ... get it in writing. To be absolutely sure you would also need to check back with the cherry picker manufacturer/supplier that the particular fall arrest device proposed was compatible with the anchor point, basket, etc.

Is there any reason you must have fall arrest attachment? Can't just use a work restraint lanyard? Or, dependent upon the nature of the work, risk assessment may justify not being attached at all. Although personally I wouldn't advocate that route.

If you supply more detail of your actual scenario I/others may be able to be of more assistance.