A removable anchoring device for a pitched roof comprises a clamping device that is removably mountable onto the edge of a first slope of the roof and a flexible attachment secured to the clamping device for attaching the worker to the clamping device for work on or below a second slope that is opposite to the first slope. According to an illustrative embodiment, the removable anchoring device comprises a frame, first and second clamping members mounted to the frame for contacting respectively first and second surfaces of the roof near an edge of a first slope thereof. The first and second clamping members are so mounted to the frame for selective variation and locking of the position and angle of the first clamping member relative to the second clamping member.