How often must rope descent anchorages be certified?

As necessary, and at least every 10 years, by a qualified person (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i)).

Is the certification the same as the annual inspection?

No. The rule requires both an annual inspection by a qualified person and a certification of each anchorage by a qualified person at least every 10 years; the building owner's written information to the employer must be based on both (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i)).

Who must hold the record?

The building owner provides the written information; the employer must obtain it before any employee uses an anchorage and keep it for the duration of the job (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(ii)).

What capacity must be certified?

At least 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), in any direction, for each employee attached to the anchorage (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i)).

US · Expiry & renewal tracking

Track the 10-year certification of every rope descent anchorage

Each rope descent anchorage must be certified by a qualified person as necessary and at least every 10 years as able to support 5,000 pounds in any direction per employee attached (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i)). The building owner provides this in writing to the employer before any employee uses the anchorage.

Before any rope descent system is used, the building owner must inform the employer in writing that it has identified, tested, certified and maintained each anchorage so it can support at least 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), in any direction, for each employee attached. That information must be based on an annual inspection by a qualified person and on certification of each anchorage by a qualified person, as necessary and at least every 10 years (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i)).

The 10-year certification is therefore a separate record from the annual inspection: the inspection confirms the anchorage each year, while the certification is the qualified person's formal confirmation that the anchorage meets the capacity requirement, repeated whenever necessary (for example after damage or structural changes) and in any case within 10 years of the previous certification. The annual inspection is covered in its own guide; this page tracks the certification date.

The employer must make sure no employee uses an anchorage before it has the building owner's written information that each anchorage meets these requirements, and must keep that information for the duration of the job (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(ii)). These anchorage requirements had to be implemented no later than November 20, 2017 (1910.27(b)(1)(iii)).

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At a glance

Rule	29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i), OSHA walking-working surfaces
Certification	By a qualified person, as necessary and at least every 10 years
Annual inspection	By a qualified person, every year (separate record; see the anchorage inspection guide)
Capacity confirmed	At least 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg) in any direction for each employee attached
Written information	From the building owner to the employer before any use; kept by the employer for the duration of the job (1910.27(b)(1)(ii))
In force since	No later than November 20, 2017 (1910.27(b)(1)(iii))

A qualified person is one who, by a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work or the project (29 CFR 1910.21(b)).

Who is responsible?

The building owner identifies, tests, certifies and maintains the anchorages and gives the employer the written information. The employer (for example a window-cleaning or facade contractor) may not let an employee use an anchorage until it has that information and must keep it for the duration of the job (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i) and (ii)).

If the deadline passes

An anchorage whose certification is more than 10 years old no longer supports the written information the rule requires, so the employer cannot let employees use it until a qualified person has certified it again (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i) and (ii)). Damage, corrosion or building changes can make certification necessary earlier than the 10-year limit.

Each use still needs a shift inspection

The 10-year certification and the annual inspection do not replace the checks at the point of use. The employer must ensure the rope descent system is inspected at the start of each workshift it is to be used, with damaged or defective equipment removed from service immediately (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(2)(iv)), that each employee uses a separate, independent personal fall arrest system (1910.27(b)(2)(vi)) and is trained under 1910.30 (1910.27(b)(2)(iii)), and that prompt rescue is provided in the event of a fall (1910.27(b)(2)(viii)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each building and, for each anchorage or anchorage group, record the date of the last certification by a qualified person; the next one is due no later than 10 years after it.
Keep the annual inspection as a separate record with its own 12-month cycle, so both dates are visible for the same anchorage.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the due date and on the day itself, which leaves time to engage a qualified person and have the certification done before the 10-year limit.
Assign a responsible person (for example the building owner's facility manager) so the right person gets the reminder; contractors can add the same building to confirm they hold current written information before each job.
If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Ask the qualified person to upload the certification report through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How often must rope descent anchorages be certified?: As necessary, and at least every 10 years, by a qualified person (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i)).
Is the certification the same as the annual inspection?: No. The rule requires both an annual inspection by a qualified person and a certification of each anchorage by a qualified person at least every 10 years; the building owner's written information to the employer must be based on both (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i)).
Who must hold the record?: The building owner provides the written information; the employer must obtain it before any employee uses an anchorage and keep it for the duration of the job (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(ii)).
What capacity must be certified?: At least 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), in any direction, for each employee attached to the anchorage (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i)).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for rope descent anchorage certification, 10-year (OSHA) (US)

A ready template for rope descent anchorage certification, 10-year (OSHA) (US) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each rope descent anchorage certification, 10-year (OSHA) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each rope descent anchorage certification, 10-year (OSHA) (US) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.