What is this? This is the second time I’ve seen this.
Thanks!
Fall Arrest system anchor.
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And if you’re a nice inspector you put the cover back on (and it probably blows off again before you reach the ground). And, if you’re a REALLY nice inspector you check from the attic and make sure it’s firmly attached and all nail holes are filled.
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So left behind by the roofers? Should it be uninstalled or is it all right to leave it?
If you follow OSHA, you have to leave it.
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Always leave in place. (Now required to be installed in many areas on new builds).
In fact, you should have hooked to it while you were on the roof! 
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Left behind, the boot cover is off the ring. Who ever used it last did not put it back on.
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This is what a roofer will clip onto with his safety harness. Usually this will be inside an attic - especially with townhouses
How do you clip to it if it’s located inside the attic?
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There are several types. Some are surface mount, some mount inside the attic with strap or plate protruding thru the decking.
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Jeff, you hook to the ring. LOL
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Absolutely leave it!
Be sure to put the cover back, ensuring it drains properly (so is not trapping water). That cover has a purpose (quiz of the week creators take note), see if you can figure it out.
This anchor is used with a roofing harness with a loop on the back as these well hung models illustrate:
And I would take the presence of such an anchor as a good sign that the installer was competent. The four exposed nail placements are a bit suspect… they may go into the sheathing only and may be missing tar or sealant, and/or should be covered by a shingle.
Myself? I’d be scared to hook to that anchor without first checking that it’s rust free and properly hooked to a rafter inside.
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Some construction sites or contractors may require them regardless of roof pitch. The loops have no bearing on my decision to walk a roof.
And no, I do not tie onto them while performing a roof inspection
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OSHA requires Fall Restraint Systems for use on Flat/Low Slope roofs also, so ‘pitch’ has nothing to do with worker safety!
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.140
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If you are working for an employer and covered under workers compensation, the minute you are walking more than 6’ above the ground, you need to tie off, unless of course there are other means to prevent you from falling.
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The rules don’t recognize the tradeoffs. Walking on a harness rope is an easy way to take a nasty fall. Managing the equipment brings benefits and risks. An accident that occurs because of safety equipment is a possibility.
I’m not doing a 2:12 shingle roof in harness ever.
A 2:12 metal roof in the mist: different story. The OSHA rules don’t comport well to reality.
I agree with what you are saying, I have had many confrontations with OSHA over the years and had to abide by the rules while working under workers comp, but unfortunately, accidents make the rules for OSHA, so we don’t have any choice.
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The roof anchors almost always leak, especially the super anchor. They leak at the connection between the metal ring piece and the rubber base if the cap is not installed. The base does not seal to the metal. The cap is supposed to overlap the vertical protrusion on the base to provide water protection. Very often the cap is missing, blown off, or someone just forgot to reinstall it. Look in the attic below and there is often a stain or rot on the wood after a while. Not a very good design IMO
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