FP : Safety Nets

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Chapter : Fall Protection 

SAFETY NETS

In construction, safety nets are being rigged and used on at site to protect the workers from overhead falling materials from height, roofing contractor and other who need to work on the height / roof to prevent injuries and fatalities from falls.

Only qualified personnel shall erect, handle, maintain and repair the Safety Nets. 

Anyone damaging, or tampering with safety equipment can be prosecuted under the Health & Safety at Work Act. 

Here are some common types of safety nets used in construction:

Types of Safety Nets

1. Fall protection nets: These nets are designed to catch workers or objects that may fall from heights, such as scaffolding or roofs.
2. Debris nets: These nets are used to catch debris, such as tools or materials, that may fall from heights and pose a hazard to workers or passersby.
3. Scaffolding nets: These nets are used to provide a safe working platform for workers on scaffolding.
4. Roofing nets: These nets are used to provide fall protection for workers on roofs.

Benefits of Safety Nets

1. Prevents falls: Safety nets can prevent workers from falling from heights, reducing the risk of injury or fatality.
2. Catches debris: Safety nets can catch debris, such as tools or materials, that may fall from heights and pose a hazard to workers or passersby.
3. Provides a safe working platform: Safety nets can provide a safe working platform for workers on scaffolding or roofs.

Important Considerations

1. Proper installation: Safety nets must be properly installed and secured to ensure they can withstand the weight of workers or debris.
2. Regular inspection: Safety nets must be regularly inspected to ensure they remain in good condition and are functioning properly.
3. Compliance with regulations: Safety nets must comply with relevant regulations and standards, such as OSH regulations of country.

Difference between safety net for material & man

1. Safety Nets for Materials:
• Used to catch falling debris, tools, or construction materials.
• Typically made of lighter mesh with smaller openings.
• Prevents damage to property and reduces hazards for workers below.
2. Safety Nets for People:
• Designed to absorb impact and prevent serious injuries from falls.
• Made of stronger, more elastic materials to cushion the fall.
• Must meet strict safety regulations to ensure worker protection.

Both types serve different safety functions but are crucial in construction and industrial settings.

1. Safety Nets for Materials:
• Used in construction sites to catch falling tools, debris, or materials.
• Typically made with smaller mesh size to prevent objects from passing through.
• Positioned below work areas to protect equipment and workers from potential damage.
• Designed primarily for containment, not impact absorption.
• Standard: IS 5175 (Polypropylene ropes used in industrial safety nets)
2. Safety Nets for People:
• Installed in high-risk areas to catch falling workers and prevent injury.
• Made from strong, elastic materials to absorb impact and reduce fall force.
• Must comply with strict safety regulations, ensuring sufficient strength and durability.
• Often placed at specific heights and angles to maximize protection.
• Standard: IS 11057:1984 (Specification for Industrial Safety Nets)

In summary, material safety nets focus on containment, while human safety nets prioritize impact absorption and worker protection.

Requirement Safety Nets:-

1. The supervisor is setting up safety nets. He knows he can use a safety net because the employees will be working no more than 30 FEET above the net; if it were a longer potential fall, he could not use the net. 
2. If the distance from the working level to the net is more than 6 feet, he is setting up the safety net to extend outward from the working surface a total of 13 FEET. 
3. In order to check if the safety net system is set up properly, the supervisor will conduct a DROP TEST. 
4. For the drop test, the supervisor must use a 400-LB. BAG OF SAND, 28-32 inches in diameter, and he will drop it into the net from the HIGHEST surface at which the workers are exposed to fall hazards, but not less than 42 inches above the net. 
5. The drop test must be done after initial installation and before being used, WHENEVER RELOCATED, after major repair, and at 6-month intervals if left in one place. 
6. The maximum size of the net’s mesh must not exceed 6 INCHES BY 6 INCHES. 
7. The supervisor knows that he must inspect the safety net system at least ONCE A WEEK to check for damage and/or wear, and after any event that could affect the integrity of the system. 
8. The supervisor will ensure that each safety net has a border rope for webbing with a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 LBS. 
9. Since they plan to use several nets, the supervisor needs to be sure that the connections between the panels are not spaced more than SIX INCHES apart. 

Do’s and Don’t for the Safe Use of Safety Nets. 

Do's 

1. Always Report to Authorities or line manager on any falls into the Safety Net (net and tie points should be checked by the riggers.)
2. Always Keep the Safety Net clear of debris (debris, particularly sharp and heavy materials, presents a hazard to the integrity of the net and could injure someone falling into the net. It also presents a hazard, when striking the nets, for both riggers and those working below.) 
3. Always Report to Authorities or line manager for any signs of loose, damaged, or disconnected tie cords, large (greater than 300mm wide) gaps, or loose or sagging nets (by more than 15% of span). 
4. Always Report to Authorities or line manager for any damage to the nets (cuts, burns, tears, spillage of sealant or other chemicals etc.) 

Don't

1. Don't Stack heavy or sharp materials over the netted area unless agreed within the method statement and ensure they are stable and secured in accordance with the agreed method statement. 
2. Don't Jump into or walk in the Safety Net for any reason. The net will stretch, and will lose some of its energy absorption capacity. The net will require a full inspection, and might have to be rejected for further use. There will be a charge for the replacement of any nets that have been abused in this matter. (You don’t test an energy-absorbing lanyard by jumping with it, do you?) 
1. If you walk in the net (other than to recover an injured person), the tie points will move, opening gaps etc. at the sides, and the debris protection could be compromised with joints being pulled open and requiring re-fixing. The Safety Net is not for access, but for the safety of those working above and below it. 
3. Don’t Throw rubbish into the net. Rubbish and debris causes a hazard as previously described
4. Don’t Tamper with any part of the rigged Safety Net system (tie points, debris cover etc.) it is not acceptable to release and reconnect tie points to access certain points to access certain areas. In doing so you are personally taking responsibility for the performance of the Safety Net system and the Safety of those who rely on it. Are you suitably trained and experienced? There are legal implications.
5. Don’t Spill any substances onto the net (sealant, paint, oils, and other chemicals). If spillages occur report them immediately to site management. 
6. Don’t Tie the Safety Net into your works. We have experienced significant damage by other trades, too lazy to request that the nets be moved before they work in the area. High costs are involved, and prosecution could result if the damage causes an accident. If they need to be moved, refer to the site management. 
7. Don’t  Erect scaffold structures, or other intrusions within the clearance distance below the Safety Net (about 3m with 8m truss bays). They could damage the net, tie the net in preventing movement, and most importantly seriously injure a person falling into the Safety Net. If in doubt of net clearance requirements contact the Site Manager. 

Remember: - 

• Safety nets are a high performance, textile safety product. 
• It is to protect persons from serious injury in the event of a fall. 
• Its ability to perform can be compromised by misuse. 
• In the event of a person falling into the Safety Net, the “recovery procedure” must be followed. 
• Only qualified personnel shall erect, handle, maintain and repair the Safety Nets. 
• Anyone damaging, or tampering with safety equipment can be prosecuted under the Health & Safety at Work Act.