BS 7883:2019 – What It Means for Work-at-Height Safety & Compliance

BS 7883:2019 – What You Need to Know

Why BS 7883:2019 Matters for Work-at-Height Safety

Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities in the UK. According to HSE statistics, falls account for over 25% of all fatal workplace accidents, with many incidents involving ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and roof edges.

One of the key ways to reduce these risks is to ensure that fall protection systems, such as eyebolts and safety lines, are properly designed, installed, and maintained. That’s where BS 7883:2019 comes in.

This standard sets out the latest best practices for anchor systems—the critical points that protect workers using fall arrest and restraint systems. First introduced in 1997, revised in 2005, and fully updated in 2019, BS 7883 now provides clearer, stricter guidelines to improve safety and reduce risks.

What’s New in BS 7883:2019?

BS 7883:2019 introduces several major updates to ensure anchor systems and safety lines meet higher safety standards. Some key changes include:

🔹 New classifications for anchor systems – The standard now defines five types of anchor systems (A, B, C, D, and E) to reflect modern fall protection technology.
🔹 Stricter requirements for documentation – Every system must have a full technical file detailing installation, maintenance, and inspection records.
🔹 Tougher inspection and recertification standards – Anchor systems must now be tested, inspected, and classified as Pass, Conditional Pass, Conditional Fail, or Fail, ensuring safety at all times.
🔹 More focus on hidden elements – If parts of the system (e.g., roof anchors) are covered by cladding or insulation, their installation must be fully documented and verified.

For businesses and facilities managers, this means that older safety systems may no longer meet compliance standards and will require detailed inspections to determine their status.

Understanding the Five Types of Anchor Systems

BS 7883:2019 classifies anchor systems into five main categories:

🔹 Type A – Permanently fixed anchor systems (e.g., eyebolts).
🔹 Type B – Removable, transportable anchors (e.g., tripod anchor points).
🔹 Type C – Flexible anchor systems (e.g., safety lines using wire rope).
🔹 Type D – Rigid anchor systems (e.g., fall protection rails).
🔹 Type E – Deadweight anchors (relying on mass and friction for stability).

Understanding these categories is crucial when installing or recertifying fall protection systems. At Sky Height Safety, we specialize in work-at-height inspections to ensure all anchor types are correctly installed and fully compliant.

Inspection & Recertification – What You Need to Know

Regular fall protection inspections are essential to keeping systems compliant and workers safe. BS 7883:2019 introduces four clear inspection outcomes to classify anchor systems:

Pass – System meets all requirements and is safe for use.
Conditional Pass – System meets older standards but has minor documentation gaps (requires updates to remain in service).
Conditional Fail – System poses an immediate safety concern and requires corrective action before being used.
Fail – System is unsafe and must be removed from service immediately.

One major challenge in inspections is hidden elements—anchors that are covered by roof coverings, insulation, or cladding. BS 7883:2019 requires clear documentation of these elements, with installation photos and technical specifications recorded in a System Technical File.

Without proper documentation, a system may receive a Conditional Fail or Fail status.

How Sky Height Safety Ensures Compliance

At Sky Height Safety, we provide specialist work-at-height inspections to ensure eyebolts, safety lines, and anchor systems meet the latest BS 7883:2019 standards.

✔ Comprehensive inspections – Checking anchor systems for compliance and safety.
✔ Recertification services – Ensuring fall protection systems remain fully functional.
✔ Testing & verification – Assessing hidden elements and structural integrity.
✔ Expert advice – Helping businesses maintain long-term compliance and worker safety.

Final Thoughts – Stay Safe, Stay Compliant

BS 7883:2019 represents a major step forward in fall protection safety, ensuring that anchor systems, eyebolts, and safety lines meet the highest industry standards. By keeping up with these regulations, businesses can reduce risk, improve compliance, and protect workers at height.

If you’re responsible for roof safety, fall protection systems, or work-at-height compliance, Sky Height Safety can help.

📞 Call us: 020 4572 1371
📩 Email us: info@skyheightsafety.com
🌍 Visit: www.skyheightsafety.com