How often should fall-arrest anchor points and eyebolts be tested?
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Anchor devices used for fall arrest should be examined by a competent person at least every 12 months, and those used for rope access or for raising and lowering a person at least every 6 months. HSE also recommends a detailed inspection of harnesses and lanyards at least every 6 months.
Anchor intervals come from a trade association note based on the superseded 2005 edition of BS 7883; the 2019 edition could not be checked.
Confirm the interval against the current edition of the standard, or with the specialist who maintains the system, before you fix it in a contract or a calendar.
What to do, and how often
| Task | How often | Who | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periodic examination of fall-arrest anchor devices by a competent person Applies to: Anchor devices and eyebolts used for fall arrest or restraint | Every year | Competent anchor examiner | British Standard BS 7883 recommends periodic examination at intervals of no more than 12 months for fall-arrest anchor devices, as stated by the Work at Height Safety Association. SourcesS1 |
| Periodic examination of anchors used for rope access or for raising and lowering people Applies to: Anchors used for rope access or to raise or lower a person | Every 6 months | Competent anchor examiner | British Standard BS 7883 recommends examination at intervals of no more than 6 months for rope access anchors. LOLER sets the same 6 month interval for equipment used to lift people. SourcesS1S2 |
| Detailed inspection of harnesses, lanyards and other webbing or rope equipment | Every 6 months | Competent person appointed by the employer | Guidance HSE's INDG367 recommends a detailed inspection at least every six months, and at least every three months for frequently used lanyards in arduous conditions. SourcesS4 |
Where a row says who or what it applies to, the task is for that case only.
The law
Regulation 12 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 requires work equipment exposed to conditions that cause deterioration to be inspected at suitable intervals and after exceptional circumstances. It sets no fixed interval. Where an anchor is used for rope access or to raise or lower a person at work, regulation 9 of LOLER requires thorough examination at least every 6 months, unless an examination scheme sets a different interval. HSE guidance in L24, published with the workplace Approved Code of Practice, lists anchorage points for safety harnesses as equipment needing a system of maintenance.
The standard
BS 7883 (personal fall protection equipment: anchor systems). The current edition is BS 7883:2019; the published interval statement found refers to the 2005 edition.
Records to keep
- Anchor system technical file and layout drawing
- Periodic examination report for each anchor, with test results
- Tag or label on each anchor showing the next examination date
- Inspection records for harnesses and lanyards
Notes
The 12 and 6 month anchor intervals are British Standard recommendations, taken from a trade association note that refers to BS 7883:2005.
BS 7883 was substantially revised in 2019 and this dataset could not confirm from a free authoritative source that the intervals are unchanged, so ask your examiner to confirm them against the current edition.
WAHSA notes that infrequently used anchors may be used only if they have been examined within the last 12 months, or 6 months for rope access.
Who delivers this in the group
Not a group service
This is not delivered by an AMPM Group company. It is listed because building managers need the whole picture.
Questions people ask
Fall-arrest anchors and personal fall protection equipment: is the interval set in law?
No task on this page has an interval set in legislation. Each one is recommended by a British Standard or by guidance. Regulation 12 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 requires work equipment exposed to conditions that cause deterioration to be inspected at suitable intervals and after exceptional circumstances. It sets no fixed interval. Where an anchor is used for rope access or to raise or lower a person at work, regulation 9 of LOLER requires thorough examination at least every 6 months, unless an examination scheme sets a different interval. HSE guidance in L24, published with the workplace Approved Code of Practice, lists anchorage points for safety harnesses as equipment needing a system of maintenance.
Fall-arrest anchors and personal fall protection equipment: who should carry out each task?
Competent anchor examiner: periodic examination of fall-arrest anchor devices by a competent person; periodic examination of anchors used for rope access or for raising and lowering people. Competent person appointed by the employer: detailed inspection of harnesses, lanyards and other webbing or rope equipment.
Fall-arrest anchors and personal fall protection equipment: what records should you keep?
Keep these records: anchor system technical file and layout drawing; periodic examination report for each anchor, with test results; tag or label on each anchor showing the next examination date; inspection records for harnesses and lanyards.
Sources
Every task and legal statement is supported by at least one source fetched over HTTPS and read on the date shown. Quotes are verbatim and 25 words or fewer. A second, independent verification pass re-fetched every source and re-read the legislation on 5 October 2026. Intervals taken from British Standards were checked against published summaries of those standards by trade bodies and government guidance, because the standards themselves are paid publications.
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Work at Height Safety Association (WAHSA) · Refers to BS 7883:2005, since replaced by BS 7883:2019 · read on
“at intervals of no more than 12 months for fall arrest devices and 6 months for rope access devices”
Supports: WAHSA statement of the BS 7883 periodic examination intervals
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legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Revised text as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“in the case of lifting equipment for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, at least every 6 months”
Supports: LOLER: equipment for lifting persons examined at least every 6 months
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Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 12: Inspection of work equipment ↗
legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Revised text as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“at suitable intervals; and (b) each time that exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the work equipment have occurred”
Supports: Work at Height Regulations: inspection at suitable intervals
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Inspecting fall arrest equipment made from webbing or rope (INDG367) ↗
Health and Safety Executive · First published September 2002 · read on
“It is recommended that there is a detailed inspection at least every six months.”
Supports: HSE: detailed inspection of webbing and rope fall arrest equipment at least every six months
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Workplace health, safety and welfare: Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L24) ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Second edition, 2013 · read on
“anchorage points for safety harnesses”
Supports: HSE guidance in L24 (paragraph 46) lists harness anchorage points as needing a system of maintenance
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Introduction to BS 7883:2019 ↗
British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Height Safety Group · Overview of the 2019 edition · read on
“This revised standard has extended inspection requirements to cover inspection prior to use, periodic, interim and supplementary inspections.”
Supports: BS 7883:2019 is the current edition and extended the inspection categories