An anchor point is only as good as the person who selected it

Fall arrest and fall restraint equipment is only effective if it’s connected to a structure capable of holding the forces generated during a fall. Choosing that structure isn’t a matter of finding something that looks solid — it requires understanding load paths, structural suitability and the standards that govern anchor device classification. This is exactly the gap that anchor point selection training is designed to close.

The qualification: Select Anchor Points for Fall Protection

Altramed offers training aligned to the Select Anchor Points for Fall Protection learning programme (LNQ 20190036), an NQF Level 4, 4-credit course developed for and recognised by the Institute for Work at Height (IWH) Professional Body. The course is built for learners who are already competent and experienced in work at height, and focuses specifically on the practical skill of identifying and assessing anchor points before fall protection equipment is attached.

Why this isn’t covered by general WAH training alone

General fall prevention and fall arrest courses teach workers how to use PPE correctly. They don’t typically go deep into the structural engineering judgement required to evaluate whether a beam, parapet, or roof structure can actually take the load. Anchor device design responsibility rests with the manufacturer, and overall system design responsibility sits with an appointed competent System Designer — but the person selecting and using an anchor point on site still needs the knowledge to recognise a suitable anchor versus one that could fail under load.

This matters because not every solid-looking structure is a safe anchor. Parapet walls, cavity walls, masonry below window openings, masonry infill panels on concrete frames, hollow-core concrete and pre-stressed concrete are all examples of structures where strength and stability can be a genuine concern, even though they may appear robust at a glance.

Who needs this training

• Work at height supervisors responsible for sign-off on anchor point use
• Rope access technicians and supervisors
• Riggers and steeplejacks working on structures without pre-installed engineered anchor systems
• Fall Protection Planners who need to verify anchor suitability as part of site planning under Construction Regulation 10 Fall Protection Plans
• Maintenance and facilities teams who regularly access roofs or elevated structures using fixed or temporary anchor points

How this fits into your broader fall protection compliance

Anchor point competency sits alongside, not instead of, your other work at height obligations. A Fall Protection Plan identifies where and how work at height will happen on a site; anchor point training ensures the people executing that plan can correctly judge whether a specific anchor is fit for purpose on the day. Where a site uses engineered horizontal or vertical anchor line systems rather than single-point anchors, additional competency in anchor line installation and inspection may also be required, since these systems carry their own classification and testing standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as Fall Arrest Level 1 training?

No. Fall Arrest Level 1 covers the correct use of PPE and fall arrest equipment. Anchor point selection training is a separate, more specialised competency focused on evaluating the structure the equipment will be attached to.

Who recognises this qualification?

The Select Anchor Points for Fall Protection programme is recognised by the Institute for Work at Height (IWH) Professional Body, the same body that accredits several of Altramed’s other work at height qualifications.

Do I need prior work at height experience to attend?

Yes. This course is designed for learners who already hold work at height competency and practical field experience, building on that foundation rather than starting from scratch.

Book your anchor point training

Altramed delivers IWH-recognised anchor point selection training as part of our Work at Heights course offering. Book your course — call 086 111 1504 or visit www.altramed.co.za.