Man anchors are an excellent all-round method of protecting employees working at height against trip, slip and fall risks.
Roof rails should always be in place anyway, but man anchors provide an extra level of protection in extreme weather conditions, such as strong winds, heavy rain, or slippery ice.
Often you won’t want to work in such conditions anyway, but sometimes essential maintenance work must be carried out – and if inclement weather sets in, man anchors can be a valuable backup to having roof rails in place.
In November, the Met Office has already issued yellow alerts for rain, wind, ice and fog, with different primary risks depending on where you are in the country.
Any one of these could pose a threat to employees working at height, while some can set in relatively quickly on what might previously have been a reasonably pleasant day.
Effective edge protection prepares for all circumstances, ensuring that employees cannot stumble due to wind or slippery icy or wet surfaces, and man anchors can keep them away from the edge during periods of poor visibility.
Together, these safety precautions can help to keep essential work on course throughout the winter months, whatever the weather may bring.