Described is a temporary roof anchor for fitment to a roof support structure, the roof anchor comprising: first attachment means for temporary fitment to the roof support structure; second attachment means remote from the first attachment means for attaching safety equipment; and shock-absorbing means having a deformable region extending between the first and second attachment means in a first length when not subject to a deformation force corresponding to a critical sudden load, the shock-absorbing means lying substantially in a single plane and comprising a substantially rigid structure that, when subject to the critical sudden load, deforms, elongating to a greater length than the first length.