Frequently asked Questions - Safety Netting
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1. What is Netting or Safety Netting?
Netting is a collection of intertwined knotless webbing that forms grid system to make up the Safety net. There few types of netting systems available, Knotless and Knotted, come in either diamond shape or square shape. The Rated Safety Nets must be as per specification below and are used to protect Personnel and Falling objects without failing. Importantly are manufactured to ES/BS1263-1:2002: The other type of non rated nets are used for other application i.e Protection netting, racking nets, birding netting. The safety nets form part of the control measures and it is practical solutions to problems when working at height. Safety nets offer protection to and for workers (such as a fall arrest) and public safety (such as catching debris above walkways) when working at heights. Overall, Safety Netting is used primarily when working at heights to save lives!
2. Safety Net Specification?
For Safety Netting Conformity and specification Label: Each Net must be manufactured to and in accordance with ES/BS1263-1:2002.
- Certification- Labels
- Twine/Mesh CordSize5mm ( Aperture size 100x100mm, 60x60mm, 45x45mm)
- Breaking Force of minimum 2.2kn
- SWL : 350kg
- Four Corners
- Border Rope(12mm, 3 strand)with Breaking Force 30kn
- Test Meshes/ Patches (minimum 3)
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There are four classes of safety net with Maximum mesh sizes and Energy absorption levels
Class A1 : Mesh Size 60mm Ea=2.3kJ; Class A2: Mesh size 100mm Ea=2.3kJ
Class B1: Mesh size 60mmEb=4.4kJj; Class B1: Mesh size 100mm Eb=4.4kJ;
Other meshes sizes in 45mm and Nylon 70mm also fit the Class B1 and B2 and have higher energy levels above 4.4kJ
3. General Characteristics
Diameter: 5mm | Density: 0.91 | Weight: 128grams/m2 (100mm mesh)
4. How do Safety Nets Work?
The Safety Netting fall arrest works by absorbing the energy created during the fall, the intertwined meshes are released slowly through the cords system in the nets and therefore, having the correct sag and fall height is very critical part of installation for the nets to able to adhere to conditions.
Standards: BS EN 1263-1, 1263-2 (2002), ASNZ4576, ISO9001:2008
Guideline: Safety Nets Installation and Training Manual
In Australia, it is in the WHS-2011 Act, Safe Work Australia , AS/NZS 4576-1995 (appendix 'f')it is Performance based approach when working at heights, and while still relying on the ISO9001:2008, British and European Standards
5. Why install Safety Nets?
It is another form of fall arrest system that has many benefits and apart from delivering a low cost (reuse) and time saving system, it is also part of the solution when working at heights.
6. Are the manufactures/ suppliers responsible for instruction and installation?
To ensure manufacturers and suppliers are in compliance with WH&S 2011 Act and duty of care, the onus is on suppliers and manufacturers to supply instructions and guidance of the product.
i.e. must provide training and Instructions/ Information as part of the order.
7. Who Can Install Safety Nets and Inspect Installation?
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INSTALLERS- The Law says training must be provided and therefore personnel installing/ rigging safety nets onsite or structures must be Ticked i.e (Scaffolders/ Riggers/ Trades )Competent and have Received Training to Safety nets guidelines** regardless of their background.
- Net Inspectors- have important role to validated installation in accordance with documentations, must be competent and have received some form of training to Safety Nets Guidelines.**
8. Can Installation and Inspection Process affect Safety onsite?
The handover process provides a professional protection and accountability through correct hand over documentations and Net Inspection follows the Installations of Safety Nets has been completed to meet Legislative requirements and guidelines.
- The Ongoing visual Inspections,
- Monthly Tagging and Labels and
- Maintenance(Net register)during and after or Safe use.
- If Safety nets are damaged then nets must not be used and returned to the supplier for further inspections and repairs and make acceptable.**
- Hand Rails-(in the Fall Arrest Environment)must withstand force of 6kn as a stability is the key factor of having sound structure. As Guide, this practice is not acceptable nor should be part of the training.
10.Emergency Response Procedure
If Safety Nets are part of the application onsite then it is a 'must' to have Emergency Response procedure onsite, aiding the Site Emergency Plan**
11.Is the Annual 'UV' testing important?
As Safety Nets are installed in the open environment with exposure to the Sun and the Safety Net materials are created from Polypropylene and Nylon which is/are less resistance to UV light which can damage the mesh integrity.
Every Safety Net manufactured to BS1263-1, has three test mesh attached to corner and every year or no more than 12 month periods a test mesh will be taken off and send for testing in accordance with ISO 1806 and this test must be recorded as proof of evidence that nets can remain in services for next 12 months. If the Test mesh fail, this net must be removed from services as the mesh has started to be weakened. Best way to check is the discolouration of mesh/twines of net. At Safety Nets Australia we provide this services.
12. What is the desired life of a net?
The working life of a Safety Net is based on the task of the application, location, the energy absorption and integrity can affect and reduce the age of Safety net. But in most cases the shelf life of Safety Net is 5 years.
13. Storage of Safety Netting
Net(s) should be always stored in open dry conditions, and stored away from Sun light, chemicals and heat.
14. Installed Safety Net should have a Clearance Factor
While there number of factors/ elements effects the clearance, will mention just a few.
It is important to ensure that there is sufficient space (clearance) below the safety net to allow to deflect under arrest without striking a hazard, but in the normal course of installation of suspended nets it 3.0m high. However, Span plays a major factor and so does the fall(how high).
Safety Nets Fall arrest system designed to withstand 6m fall, however in Australia, best practice not more than 2.0m and we recommend the nets be installed as closed as possible to working deck.
Planning is another important Factor :Fall arrest VS Prevention as Safety nets can do either pending on size of the net and intended application**
14a. Sound Supporting Structure and Anchor Points required when suspending Safety Netting onto in place. Fixing Device(s) must be 6kn (for the Corners) and 4kn for the adjacent fixing points. The safety netting fixing system are based on multi point fixing and shared connections rather than Single point connection.
15. Intended Applications and Best Use!
Safety Nets are the most efficient and cost effective fall prevention barrier for many different applications:
- MINING
- Maintenance of fragile Roofs/ Skylights / Glass Atriums
- Demolitions - Roof Structures/ Voids protections
- Internal Voids
- Steel & Metal Form work
- Bondeck placement
- Housing Constructions -Erecting Roof Trusses on Timber| Steel Roof Frames
- Vertical Net for Debris protection
16. What can go wrong with Safety Net Installations?
- Incorrect Installation- not as per Safety Nets guidelines and Instructions
- lack of Training- Competency/ Skills factor
- Unsafe Structure- Stability factor required Structure must be Sound and can withstand 6kn as mim.
- No annual UV testing- Test mesh have not been sent for testing. Conditions of Nets unknown!
- No history of Net register or documents
- No Handover documents
- Inspection process not carried out
- the use of wrong devices and incorrect spacing of fixing/ anchor points
- Having the incorrect Sag 5-10%,
- Clearance Factor below the nets
17. Working At Heights- NEW WHS 2011ACT/ OHS Requirements- Safe Work Australia
NSW WORKCOVER -Managing Risk Falls at Workplace.
An employer (PCBU)must ensure that risks associated with falling objects are controlled by use of the following measures:
(a) provision of safe means of raising and lowering plant, materials and debris in the place of work,
(b) provision of a secure physical barrier to prevent objects falling freely from buildings or structures in or in the vicinity of the place of work,
(c) if it is not possible to provide a secure physical barrier, provision of measures to arrest the fall of objects,
(d) provision of appropriate personal protective equipment.
Safety Nets Australia net systems fully comply with these provisions.
LINKS:
Safe Work Australia
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Legislation/Pages/ModelWHSLegislation.aspx
Worksafe NSW:
WorkSafe Victoria : www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/wsinternet/WorkSafe/SiteTools/Help/error_404?
Queensland
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/business/construction/majorhazards/height/index.htm
WorkSafe NT
http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/
WorkSafe SA
WorkSafe WA
**for additional reading see our 'Safety Nets Installation Manual' which you can buy from us.
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Remember - safety nets save lives. They prevent fatalities and serious accidents when working at heights, and also prevent the fall of a lot of debris onto the site below
