Ground anchor point EN 795 A1 – securing work on slopes and excavations
In earthworks and civil engineering, contractors face a challenge nonexistent in building construction: the site consists entirely of raw soil with no concrete slabs, steel columns, or walls to fix either perimeter guardrails or fall arrest systems. During road construction, canal excavation, foundation work, and trenching, personnel perform tasks directly along steep slopes, embankments, and deep excavation edges where zero structural elements exist. Under these conditions, traditional fall protection cannot be implemented. A ground anchor point provides the ideal solution. It is a certified earth anchor buried or driven directly into the ground, terminating in a heavy-duty attachment ring for harnesses and lanyards. We supply two primary systems: DAT-35 and DAT-50, set in place with an excavator, and ARP-02, hammer-driven where heavy machinery cannot enter. Both are certified as Class A1 anchor devices in compliance with EN 795, engineered for single-user fall arrest protection.
When is a Ground Earth Anchor Point Needed?
An earth ground anchor point is required whenever fall hazards exist on open terrain and no structural element (concrete wall, beam, or slab) is available within a 10–20 meter radius. Typical B2B applications include:
- Earthworks and deep excavations: Fall arrest protection for workers installing formwork, rebar, or utilities inside deep trenches and building foundations.
- Road and bridge civil enginnering: Safe positioning and fall arrest during embankment profiling, slope stabilization, and abutment construction.
- Drainage, canals and vegetation clearance: clearing, de-grubbing and maintenance along retention basins, drainage ditches, riverbanks, reservoirs, dykes and earth dams.
- Open infrastructure sites: Establishing a reliable EN 795 anchor point in open fields where no steel or concrete structures exist.
DAT-35 and DAT-50 – excavator-set installed ground anchor point
The MARCELINO DAT-XX system consists of a heavy-duty steel anchor disc connected to a high-strength textile strap that ends in a stainless steel attachment ring. The disc is buried in a pit at a minimum depth of 1.5 meters, while the strap end with the attachment ring is routed out through the corner of the pit so it remains easily accessible after backfilling. This system is ideal for job sites where an excavator is already present.
Critical Installation Rules Determining Load Capacity:
- Backfill the pit using the exact same native soil that was excavated,
- Compact the soil thoroughly using the excavator bucket; higher soil density directly increases anchor holding capacity,
- Ensure the backfill contains no sharp stones, rocks, or debris that could damage or cut the strap,
- Protect the strap from mechanical damage during backfilling, compaction, and surface finishing,
- Mandatory Verification: Perform an on-site pull-out test using the TEST-10 indicator (detailed below).
The sole difference between DAT-35 and DAT-50 is the anchor disc diameter. DAT-35 (35 cm disc) is enough for most medium and cohesive soil types. DAT-50 is designed for sandy, loose or low-cohesion soils, where a larger surface area is needed to generate required ground resistance.
Series I (316 Stainless Steel for Long-Term Installations): For long-term projects or corrosive soil environments, Series I is recommended. DAT-35 I features an AISI 304 stainless steel disc and a 316 stainless steel wire rope instead of a textile strap. While standard DAT-35 has an operational lifespan of 18 months post-installation, Series I is the correct choice for safety installations remaining on-site for 2–3 years.
ARP-02 – hammer-driven ground anchor point
When an excavator cannot access the work zone or when a lighter, faster setup is required, the ARP-02 drive-in ground anchor is utilized. It comprises a PICA-25.12 hot-dip galvanized steel pin driven manually into the ground, fitted with an AISI 304 stainless steel FJ-02 attachment point. Combining galvanized and stainless steel provides an extended operational service life exceeding standard textile-based anchors.
In soft ground, where the pin on its own will not reach the required resistance, an FL-02 hot-dip galvanized steel surface plate is added to distribute pull-out loads over a wider soil area.
ARP-02 is certified as a Class A structural anchor device according to EN 795:2012 for single-user fall protection. Like the DAT series, it requires an mandatory on-site pull test prior to first use.
Mandatory Installation Verification – TEST-10 Pull Test
Because soil cohesion and compaction quality vary on every single job site, the holding capacity of a buried ground anchor point must be verified on-site before approving the anchor for worker use. This is accomplished using the patented TEST-10 load testing ring.
TEST-10 is an element calibrated to break at a force of 1000 daN (±10 %). It is connected with a shackle to the ring of the anchor point and to any attachment on the excavator bucket, and a pulling force is then applied in the same direction in which the fall protection system will work.
How the TEST-10 Pull Test Functions:
- the TEST-10 should break after the disc has settled slightly; the ring may move by 15 to 30 cm while this happens,
- once the disc has finally settled, the ring should not move significantly any more until the TEST-10 breaks,
- under those conditions the anchor meets the requirements of EN 795 Class A1,
- to check higher values, 2 or 3 TEST-10 elements can be connected in parallel.
For comparison: the average force needed to pull a DAT-XX out of the ground exceeds 2500 daN, and the breaking force of the device itself is 3000 daN. Values above 1000 daN are sufficient for Class A1 fall arrest systems.
Alternatively to TEST-10, a certified calibrated anchor tester up to 25 kN may be used. The manufacturer also recommends subjecting the installed ground anchor point to a direct pull force of 5 kN for at least 15 seconds
DAT-35, DAT-50 or ARP-02 – which one to choose
Choosing the right ground anchor point depends on three factors: excavator availability, required lifespan, and soil conditions:
| Feature | DAT-35 / DAT-50 | DAT-35 I | ARP-02 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation Method | Excavator, pit min. 1.5 m | Excavator, pit min. 1.5 m | hammer-driven |
| Material Construction | steel disc + webbing tape | AISI 304 disc + 316 stainless cable | hot-dip galvanised pin + AISI 304 top |
| Service lifespan | 18 months from installation or 4 years from manufacture lata od produkcji | Long-term installations (2-3 years) | Extended service life |
| Soft soil solution | DAT-50 (50 cm large disc) | DAT-50 I w/larger disc | FL-02 surface load plate |
| User capacity | 1 user simultaneously | 1 user simultaneously | 1 user simultaneously |
| Best application | Standard civil earthworks (excavator access) | Corrosive soil / multi-year sites | No excavator access / fast setup |
Legal basis – EN 795 Class A1 anchor devices
The EN 795 standard (“Personal fall protection equipment – Anchor devices – Requirements and test methods”) classifies anchoring systems into six categories. Ground anchor points and floor anchor points belong to Class A1: structural anchor points permanently fixed to the substrate. You will find a full description of the other classes – from A2 through to E – in our guide to EN 795 anchor devices.
MARCELINO DAT-XX units undergo static and dynamic testing in accordance with EN 795 Class A1, supported by manufacturer Declarations of Conformity. However, while factory certification validates the structural strength of the device itself (3000 daN breaking strength), actual holding capacity depends entirely on soil properties and compaction. This makes the on-site TEST-10 pull test a mandatory requirement for safety approval. The ARP-02 is certified to EN 795:12 Class A.
Before each use, workers must perform a visual inspection checking for strap wear or deformation and verifying the product validity label. Any device lacking a legible label must be removed from service immediately.
AITANA SAFETY – complete anchor points and fall protection systems
For over a decade, AITANA SAFETY has supplied EN 795 certified anchor devices tested by independent notified bodies. Alongside ground anchor points, our range includes:
- fall arrest slings EN 795 – single anchor loops cast into concrete, Class A1,
- Class A anchor points – for concrete, timber, steel and trapezoidal sheet,
- MARCELINO formwork safety system – Temporary horizontal webbing lifelines for slab formwork,
- rigid rails systems EN 795 Type D – for overhead industrial applications,
- deadweight roof anchors EN 795 Type E – for flat roofs.
We match the solution to the actual job and hazard type: ground, available access, and how long the protection has to stay in service.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about ground anchor points
How deep must a MARCELINO DAT ground anchor point be buried?
DAT-35 and DAT-50 anchors must be installed in a pit at a minimum depth of 1.5 meters. The pit is backfilled with native soil and compacted using an excavator bucket. The denser the compaction, the higher the capacity of the anchor. The backfill must contain no sharp-edged stones, because they would cut the tape.
Does a ground anchor point have to be tested before use?
Because soil density and moisture vary across every construction site, anchor holding capacity depends on the ground. On-site pull testing using the TEST-10 indicator (breakd at a force of 1000 daN) or a calibrated anchor tester is required to certify installation safety before workers connect. The test is made in the same direction in which the fall protection system will work. Independently of this, a visual check is required before every single use.
How many workers can connect to a single ground anchor point?
Direct connection to a single DAT-XX or ARP-02 ground anchor is rated for 1 user at a time under EN 795 Class A1. For multi-worker coverage across an embankment, multiple ground anchors are installed along the slope.
How long can a ground anchor point remain installed in the ground?
Standard DAT-35 with textile webbing has an operational validity of 18 months from installation or 4 years from manufacture date – whichever comes first. For multi-year civil projects (2–3+ years), Series I (DAT-35 I with 316 stainless steel cable) or ARP-02 galvanized steel pins should be specified. Annual safety inspections apply to all permanent installations, exactly as it does for the other EN 795 anchor devices.
Can ground anchor points be installed without specialized certified installers?
Yes. Ground anchors can be installed directly by site civil crews following the manufacturer’s manual. However, documenting the mandatory TEST-10 pull test is required for OHS compliance.
Is the MARCELINO DAT-XX ground anchor reusable?
No. A DAT-XX anchor buried in a trench is a single-use installation for that specific job phase. Once earthworks conclude, the exposed strap is cut or left buried in the soil. The ARP-02 is different – it is driven in with a hammer and can be recovered and reinstalled, provided the visual check finds no cracks or deformation.
How often must an EN 795 anchor device be inspected?
Two checks apply and they are not the same thing. A visual check before every use – no cracks, no deformation, a legible label and a valid date – is made by the user. A periodic inspection at least every 12 months is made by a competent person and recorded, in line with EN 365. For ground anchor points there is one additional requirement that does not exist for anchors fixed to a structure: the pull test after installation, because it is the ground and not the device that determines the real capacity.
Do you need to secure your civil engineering & trench work site?
Are you planning earthworks, trenching, or embankment profiling on your job site? Contact our engineering team for assistance. We help site managers and health and safety specialists in selecting MARCELINO DAT ground anchors, complete with TEST-10 test indicators.
Explore our full range of anchor points and safety systems. Read our general guide: anchor points and fall protection under EN 795 – it covers all six standard classes and how to choose between them.