Industrial Safety Nets: Types, Uses, Benefits & Installation Guide
Specifications and rigging instructions for Fall Arrest Safety Nets
• Performance: high tenacity netting
• Appeture: 100mm • Diameter: 5mm
• Maximum tensile strength of mesh: 3.20kN
• Colour: Blue, Green • Material: Polypropylene
• UV Additive: 3 Test strips attached for return testing against UV Degregation.
• Certified: YES - all our Fall arrest safety nets come fully certified and tagged.
Intended Use and Scope
Safety Nets are used to minimise injury from falls for those working at heights. Typically, type S safety nets (used horizontally) are suspended below the worker. In the event of a slip, trip or fall, the worker is contained within the safety net.
There are other types of safety net which are available:
• Type V - For Suspension from gallows;
• Type U - For side attachment to scaffold;
• Type T - For attachment to cantilever framework on the side of a structure.
Fall Height
EN1263/2:2002 Refers to maximum fall height of up to 6m and a maximum fall height of 3m within 2m edge of the net. However, it is good practice to install safety nets as close as possible to the working level (preferably within 2m). This minimises the potential fall distance and thereby reduces the loads impacting the body, the net and the structure to which the net is attached.
Catching
Width It is good practice to extend the netted area further than the point from where the worker is expected to be operating. This eliminates the risk of tripping forward and missing the safety net. The distance in which the worker may travel when tripping forwards is affected by the height at which he is operating.
The following table appears in EN1263/2:2002:-
• Fall Height <1m <3m <6m
• Minimum Catching Width >2m >2.5m >3m
However, it is good practice to extend the netted area to at least one bay forward (no less than 3m). To ensure this is achieved, it is important the installer of nets and the potential user of the nets communicated their anticipated working schedules.
If the safety nets are being used for roofs with a pitch >20 degrees the minimum catching width (CW) shall be at least 3m. The Lowest point should not be less than 3m below the working level.
Type S Safety Net
• Anchorages/ fixing points
• Safety Nets must be attaches to a fixing point at least every 2.5m,
Each fixing point should be capable of withstanding a 6kN loading at 45º.
It is important to consult manufacturer's instructions for those attachment systems which are not dealt with by En1263/1:2002.
Gaps:
Guidance on the horizontal distance between the edge of the net and supporting structure or adjacent net is as follows:-
•It is preferable to rig safety nets with NO gaps.
• Gaps up to 100mm are permitted, in exceptional circumstance; gaps up to 225mm are permitted.
Tie Ropes
(to EN263/1:2002) Tie ropes are normally produced from 12mm, 3 strand polyamide
Type L 30kN
Type R 15kN
Type M 30kN
Type Z 15kN
Rope ends must be protected against unravelling.
Knots
Tie ropes are tied around the boarder rope and selvage of the net and onto the structure (capable of withstanding a loading of6Kn at 45º). There are various knots known to perform satisfactorily in the event of a fall. If skills are unavailable, then training should be sought:-
Net Sag
A Safety net needs to be set at a tension that allows it to perform as designed in the event of a fall. If there is too much pretension in the net, the meshes may not deform at the correct rate, potentially resulting in the net failure. Too little tension will result in increased fall distance and may allow the faller to hit the ground / and or objects below. The correct tension should be 10% of the span (between two adjacent supports)
Net Size
The Net will want to sag when supported between fixed points, thereby pulling in the net perimeter. It is therefore important to always oversize the net by at least 10% on all sides. (e.g. 10m x 10m hole will need a 11m x 11m net ).
Net Deformation and Clearance Distance
The mesh of the safety net is engineered to absorb the load created in a fall by stretching in a controlled manner. This deformation reduces the loads on the faller (thus minimising injury) and the structure to which the net is attached.
The amount the net deforms is dependant on two factors
1. The height of the fall.
2. The span of the net. A big fall into a big net is likely to result in the net deforming significantly more than a small fall into a small net.
• Overlap
Both nets are simply overlapped. It is critical that the overlap in the middle of the two nets is greater than 2m.
Repairs
Safety net can only be repaired by a competent person authorised by the manufacturer. Note It is good practice to demonstrate an audit trial, from purchase to present e.g. when it was purchased, when it was last examined and repaired (and by whom) and when it was last tested for UV degradation.
Dismantling
It is good practice to identify any damage to the nets prior to dismantling them. Damage should be marked by the rigger to aid future examination. Safety nets should only be dismantled by competent persons, with confirmation from the user that the nets are no longer required. Care must be taken to ensure that any debris is removed carefully and safely.
Loading
Once a safety net has been loaded (with person or object) it should be only be put back into service once it has been inspected by a competent person authorised by the manufacturer.
Storage
Care and Inspection Safety nets should be; Stored in a dry place, out of direct sunlight, not to be stored in close proximity to heat sources, be kept away from corrosive materials (acids, solvents etc.) It is the riggers responsibility to carry out a visual inspection on any safety net and attachment system. Any damage must be reported before any work commences and appropriate measures taken.
Material Test Certificate (MTC) - Safety Net
1. Product Details
- Type: Knotted / Unknotted Safety Net
- Mesh Size: 100 mm x 100 mm (or as specified)
- Rope Diameter: 12 mm Border Rope, 4 mm Mesh Rope
- Dimensions: 5 m x 10 m (customizable)
- Tie Ropes: Provided at every
2. Standards & Compliance
- Conforms to EN 1263-1 & EN 1263-2 (European Standard for Safety Nets)
- Indian Standard (if applicable): IS 110
3. Material Specifications
- Material: UV Stabilized Polypropylene (PP)
- UV Resistance: Yes- Mesh Breaking Strength: Min. 30 kN
- Border Rope Breaking Strength: Min. 35 kN
- Density: 0.91 g/cm
4. Test Results
- Mesh Breaking Strength: Passed (as per EN 1263-1)
- Border Rope Strength: Passed
- Impact Absorption (Drop Test): Passed
- Flame Resistance: Optional (if required
5. Manufacturer Details
- Manufacturer: STK Safety Nets Pvt. Ltd
.- Address: Usia Ghazipur, India
- Batch Number: SN2024-042
- Date of Manufacture: JULY 2025
6. Certification
- Certificate Issued by: XYZ Testing Labs
- Type: In-house / Third-party Certified
- Signature: Authorized Testing Engineer
- Certificate Validity: 12 Months from Date of Manufacture
SAFETY NETS INSPECTION
Summary:
Safety nets are provided where workplace are 25 feet above the ground or water surface, or other surfaces where the use of ladders, scaffolds, catch platforms, temporary floors, safety lines or safety belts is impractical.
Nets extended 8 feet beyond the edge of the work surface where employees are exposed and shall be installed as close under the work surface as practical but in no case more than 25 feet below such work surface.
Nets are hung with sufficient clearance to prevent user’s contact with the surface or structures below. Such clearance must be determined by impact load testing.
Mesh the size of nets does not exceed 6 inches by 6 inches.
Nets meet accepted performance standards of 17,500 foot-pounds minimum impact resistance as determined and certified by manufacturers and bear a label of proof test.
Edge ropes provide a minimum breaking strength of 5000 pounds.
Forged steel safety hooks or shackles have been used to fasten the net to its supports.
Connection between net panels develops the full strength of the net.
Source Note:
This document is based on information gathered from multiple reputable websites and technical resources related to safety net standards and practices.
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MD Shams Tabrez Khan
HSE (Health Safety & Environment) Professional
| Usia, Dildarnagar, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
Safety is not just a rule, it is a responsibility for everyone.
Disclaimer: This blog is only for safety awareness and educational purposes.
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