
What is a swing fall?
A swing fall occurs when a worker falls a significant distance from their anchor point, causing them to swing like a pendulum. The swing distance increases with the length of the worker’s lanyard. If the worker is a good distance away from the anchorage, the potential for a dangerous swing grows. This pendulum effect can cause them to collide with a nearby structure or, in extreme cases, hit the ground.
The longer the lanyard, the greater the speed of the swing, leading to potentially deadly impacts. A worker might even travel so far that the lanyard becomes too long, and they hit the ground before the system can arrest the fall.

Anti-Pendulum Anchors: the Solution
To prevent swing falls, anti-pendulum anchors are crucial. These anchor points are placed close to roof edges or protruding structures, where the risk of swing falls is higher. Anti-pendulum anchors are integrated into the fall protection system, ensuring that the worker is securely anchored.
Examples of anti-pendulum anchor Points
1. Roof Corners: On a rooftop with multiple edges, the corners are high-risk zones for swing falls. Installing anti-pendulum anchors at these points prevents the worker from swinging too far if they fall.
2. Protruding Roof Parts: For workers navigating the edges of a rooftop with protrusions, such as airconditioning units or chimneys, anti-pendulum anchors are placed nearby to prevent the excessive swing that could lead to dangerous impacts.
3. Horizontal Lifeline System Integration: These anchors can also be part of a larger horizontal lifeline system. Workers are anchored to a lifeline running parallel to the roof edge but can use anti-pendulum anchors for areas where the lifeline might not fully prevent a swing fall.
How Anti-Pendulum Anchors Works
Anti-pendulum anchors limit the potential swing distance by positioning the anchor point closer to the worker. Workers must attach their lanyard to the anti-pendulum anchor before reaching the roof edge. This reduces the swing’s length and speed, minimizing the risk of hitting nearby objects or even falling to the ground.
Importance of installing anti-pendulum anchors
Proper installation of anti-pendulum anchors near roof edges and protruding features is essential for any fall protection system. These anchors effectively reduce the distance a worker can fall and prevent dangerous swinging. Without them, a worker could be subjected to extreme forces if they fall from an edge or protrusion.
Preventing swing fall impact
Anti-pendulum anchors are typically positioned no more than 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the roof edge. This minimizes the risk of a long, high-speed swing. With this close installation, the worker’s fall height and impact speed are reduced, enhancing safety during the fall arrest.

Alternatives to anti-pendulum anchors
While anti-pendulum anchors are highly effective, alternative solutions include installing horizontal lifelines along roof edges. However, this only eliminates the swing fall risk if the lifeline is installed close to the edge—ideally within 2 meters (6.5 feet).
In some cases, a single anchor point might be used, but it also needs to be positioned correctly to avoid swing falls. These systems are usually more suitable for smaller, less complex roof layouts.
Educating workers about swing fall hazards
Workers need to understand the risks associated with swing falls, especially when the distance to the anchorage point increases. Regular toolbox talks and training sessions can help raise awareness. Workers should also be trained on how to adjust their lanyards and always use anti-pendulum anchors when working near the edges of roofs or protruding structures.
Proper training and awareness are also crucial in ensuring that workers know when and how to use these safety measures.

Toolbox about swing falls
Swing falls are a serious hazard that can cause severe injury or death if not managed properly. By installing anti-pendulum anchor points near roof edges and protrusions, you can reduce the risk of this hidden danger.
To help you and your team become more familiar with swing fall hazards, we’ve created a mini quiz with situation sketches. This can serve as a valuable addition to a toolbox talk on work at height safety. Download the toolbox and see if you will pass for swing falls.

More Information
Have questions about fall protection systems or how anti-pendulum anchors can improve safety on your rooftop? Our team of experts is here to provide personalized advice and solutions to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about ensuring work at height safety and preventing swing fall hazards.
Would you like more personalized advice or examples of real-world applications? Let us know, and we’ll be happy to help! Contact us via [email protected] or call us at +31 (0)183 56 91 11.