AS 5532 – Single-Point Anchor Devices
Single-point anchor devices are critical safety components for work at height. When they’re wrong, the consequences are severe — not just for the worker, but for the organisation responsible for the design, installation, and ongoing use of the system.
In Australia, AS 5532 – Manufacturing Requirements for Single-Point Anchor Devices Used for Harness-Based Work at Height sets out what compliance actually looks like.
What Is AS 5532?
AS 5532 defines the design, manufacture, testing, marking, and inspection requirements for single-point anchor devices used with personal fall-arrest systems.
It applies to:
Permanent anchor points
Engineered anchor devices fixed to structures or plant
Anchor points installed in industrial, mining, and processing environments
AS 5532 is referenced in work health and safety frameworks and is commonly relied upon by inspectors when assessing fall-arrest systems.
Common issues we see include:
Anchor points installed without evidence of structural verification
Assumptions that “off-the-shelf” hardware is automatically compliant
Anchor points attached to structures that were never designed for fall-arrest loads
Missing or incorrect marking and identification
No destructive testing or verification prior to first use
In many cases, the anchor device itself is only one part of the system — the supporting structure is just as critical.
AS 5532 Is Not Just About Strength
One of the biggest misconceptions is that AS 5532 is simply a load requirement, but in reality, the standard also addresses:
Directional loading
Failure modes
Manufacturing quality
Marking and traceability
Inspection and testing regimes
Structural Verification Matters
AS 5532 requires that anchor devices are supported by a structure capable of resisting the applied loads.
This means:
The supporting steel or concrete must be checked
Welds, bolts, and anchors must be appropriate for the load case
Without structural verification, an anchor point may be compliant in isolation but unsafe in service.
How Trang Helps with AS 5532 Compliance
Trang provides independent engineering verification for single-point anchor devices, particularly in mining and industrial environments where generic solutions often fall short.
Our involvement typically includes:
Engineering Assessment & Verification
Review of anchor point design and load paths
Verification of supporting structure capacity
Confirmation of compliance with AS 5532 and associated structural standards
Structural Certification
Engineering sign-off of anchor devices and supporting structure
Clear conditions of use and inspection requirements
Documentation suitable for regulator or auditor review
Support for Existing Installations
Assessment of legacy anchor points
Identification of upgrade or remediation options
Practical pathways where full replacement is not feasible
Why Independent Engineering Input Is Important
Single-point anchor devices often sit at the intersection of:
Safety systems
Regulatory expectations
AS 5532 Is Part of a Broader Safety Framework
Anchor devices do not exist in isolation, they interact with:
Access systems (AS 1657)
Machinery and plant safety (AS 4024)
Structural standards (AS 4100 / AS 3990)
Need Help with AS 5532 Anchor Devices, contact us.