What is an anchorage in fall protection?

In the construction standard, 29 CFR 1926.500, an anchorage is a secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or deceleration devices. It is one of the components of a personal fall arrest system.

By Cairn. Updated October 29, 2026. Sources: eCFR text as of October 27, 2026.

The legal definitions

Construction, 29 CFR 1926.500

“Anchorage means a secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or deceleration devices.”

29 CFR 1926.500(b), definition of “Anchorage”. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.

General industry, 29 CFR 1910.140

“Anchorage means a secure point of attachment for equipment such as lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices.”

29 CFR 1910.140(b), definition of “Anchorage”. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.

Where it applies

29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices 2 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
29 CFR 1926.451, Scaffolds: General requirements 5 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
29 CFR 1910.140, Personal fall protection systems 9 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR. Not the same definition: General industry words the definition differently, as a point of attachment for equipment such as lifelines, lanyards or deceleration devices. Quoted above.

In the enforcement record

Federal and state-plan agencies issued 13,380 cited violations under 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices, from January 2016 through September 10, 2026. The section ranks 20th among the 248 sections of 29 CFR cited at least 50 times. This is the count for the whole section, not for the term alone.

Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot.

See the full record for 29 CFR 1926.502

Related terms

Personal fall arrest system In construction, a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level, made of an anchorage, connectors and a body belt or harness.
Guardrail system In construction, a barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels.
Leading edge In construction fall protection, the edge of a floor, roof or formwork that changes location as more sections are placed, formed or constructed.

All terms in the OSHA glossary

Sources

29 CFR 1926.500, Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
29 CFR 1910.140, Personal fall protection systems. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot. Cairn analysis of the OSHA enforcement record.

Written by Cairn, updated October 29, 2026. The quoted text is copied from the sources above. A test compares each quotation with a stored copy of the source, and a separate script compares that copy with the live sources. This page explains the law and is not legal advice.