A safety system for connection to at least one fixed, elongated, structural component, e.g., an I-beam, of a static structure, e.g., a building being erected, to protect a worker located on the structure from falling thereoff. The system comprising first and second releasably securable mounting assemblies frictionally secured at respective spaced locations on the structural component, a rope or cable connected between the mounting assemblies, and a sliding anchor mounted on the rope. The sliding anchor comprising a tubular member mounted on the rope means for sliding therealong to a desired position whereupon it can be actuated to releasably secured it against further sliding. The worker wears a supporting belt, harness or other device, which is connected, via a lanyard and an associated shock absorber, to the sliding anchor, to thereby prevent he/she from falling more than a predetermined distance away from said sliding anchor.