Everything you need to know about BS 7883:2019

The 2019 revision considers the advances within fall protection technology and includes guidance across 5 types of common anchor systems:  

Type A – Permanently fixed anchor system that incorporates one or more structural anchors such as an eyebolt. 

Type B – A removable and transportable anchor that does not incorporate a structural anchor so is not fixed to a structure.  

Type C – A structurally anchored anchorage system featuring a flexible anchor line such as a wire rope, fibred rope, or webbing.  

Type D – A structurally anchored anchorage system incorporating a tube or rigid rail anchor line. 

Type E – Anchor device which relies solely on mass and friction between itself and the load-bearing surface.  It also introduces the role of the system designer who has overall responsibility for producing a system technical file, an operations & maintenance manual, and an examination scheme.

These documents should be passed to the duty holder for the life of the system(s) and made available to anyone using, and/or undertaking future inspections and maintenance of the anchorage system(s).   

Where elements of the anchor system are hidden reverse engineering design checks will involve opening/lifting of the roof substrate to gain full access to the anchor device, structural anchors, and base material to confirm through design calculations and information supplied by the manufacturer, overall suitability of the anchor system. The information and evidence gathered will be required to form part of the technical file.  

Previous versions of the standard allowed for some ambiguity in interpreting the criteria for determining pass or fail results. However, the most recent iteration of the British Standard has effectively resolved this issue by introducing four distinct category results:

PASS: Satisfies all relevant recommendations. This allows the equipment to remain in use and be labelled as remaining in service.  

CONDITIONAL PASS: The anchorage system satisfies the recommendations of BS 7883:2019, a previous standard or code of practice, and does not present any immediate safety concern so it should be labelled as remaining in service. However, an inspection report should be presented to the duty holder with recommendations on remedial work required to improve the anchor device within an appropriate completion timescale.   

CONDITIONAL FAIL: This represents an immediate safety concern and requires the anchor system and/or PFPE to be taken out of service and labelled accordingly or decommissioned to prevent use. In these cases, the safety concern can be rectified so the duty holder should be presented with a detailed inspection report including remedial works that must be carried out before the anchor system is re-inspected and returned to service.  

This result also applies to systems that may have satisfied a previous standard or code of practice but do not conform to all current recommendations.   

FAIL: As the result suggests, this represents an immediate safety concern that the anchor system or device cannot be repaired or improved so it should be taken out of service and labelled with “Do Not Use” to avoid any uncertainty. Where possible, the system should be decommissioned to prevent potential use. Permission to physically remove an anchor system or device should be sought from the duty holder. 

Eurosafe can work with you to produce a System Technical File, Operations & Maintenance Manual, and Examination Scheme for Inspection. Prices would reflect the level of difficulty accordingly.   

With a trading history spanning over two decades, Eurosafe Group proudly stands as Europe’s leading specialist in providing fall protection and access solutions. Our team of approximately 150 employees works tirelessly every day to make the world a safer place and is trusted upon thousands of sites nationwide to inspect and certify height safety and access equipment. We understand that safety is a fundamental need for both businesses and individuals. We pride ourselves in building long-term relationships with our customers, based on the solutions we provide. 

We understand that this change in the standard may bring challenges to you, our customer. Our aim is to work with you throughout each stage to ensure you are supported, the staff remains protected and compliance requirements are met.