Where are Safety Nets Used?
Safety nets are widely used in the construction industry, particularly for high-risk operations and working at height such as roofing, steelwork, and cladding. These environments involve a high risk of a person's fall from elevated platforms, scaffolding, or beams, making safety netting an essential mitigation measure.
In addition to construction, safety netting is used in industrial maintenance, bridgework, warehouse installation, and stadium construction. Safety nets are often installed in conjunction with scaffolding systems or temporary structures to offer maximum fall protection without restricting workers' movement.
What is Safety Netting?
Safety netting is a vital component of any fall protection strategy on construction or industrial sites. Designed to catch a falling individual before serious harm occurs, safety nets offer a collective solution that reduces the risk of injury or fatality while improving worker confidence and efficiency. Whether working on high-rise developments or temporary structures, safety nets are a proven method of reducing injuries on site. Contact us now to find out more.
A Passive Fall Protection System
Safety netting is a critical passive fall arrest system designed to protect workers operating at height. It provides a collective safety solution by catching operatives who may fall during construction, maintenance, or industrial activities.
Fully Compliant and Certified Safety Solutions
At Nationwide Safety, we specialise in FASET-certified safety netting installation across the UK, delivering protection that fully complies with BSEN 1263-1, BSEN 1263-2 & BS 8411 standards. Award-winning protection from the UK’s leading safety netting specialists.
Complete Protection from the Experts
We supply and install fall arrest safety nets across the construction industry, working with contractors, developers, and site managers to provide essential and tailored fall protection systems. Our rope edged safety net products are available in standard sizes and custom sizes to suit individual projects, ensuring quality, performance and durability in every application.
Benefits of Safety Nets
Safety nets are designed to protect people from injury by catching them if they fall from a height. They work by deflecting and absorbing the energy of the fall, reducing the likelihood of serious injury.
Fall Protection
They provide a collective fall arrest system, meaning they protect multiple workers at once without restricting their movement.
Energy Absorption
Safety nets are designed to absorb the impact of a fall, providing a ‘soft landing’ and minimising injury.
Flexibility
They allow workers to move freely and work efficiently at height, which is crucial for tasks like roofing, cladding, and construction.
Safety Compliance
Using safety nets complies with The Work at Height Regulations 2005, ensuring a safer working environment.
Why Safety Netting is Essential for Construction Sites
Safety netting is one of the most effective systems for managing fall hazards in the construction industry.
Reducing Risk and Protecting Operatives:
Falls from height remain one of the biggest hazards on construction sites. Installing construction safety netting solutions significantly reduces the risk of serious injuries or fatalities on your project.
Compliance with UK Health and Safety Laws:
Using temporary safety net systems helps your site meet UK Work at Height Regulations 2005, ensuring legal compliance and protecting your team. With our fall protection safety netting, you can maintain high safety standards and improve site efficiency.
Versatility Across Projects:
Our safety netting systems are designed to suit a wide range of structures and working conditions. Whether for small-scale refurbishments or major developments, each system is tailored to your needs.
Flexible Sizing Options:
We provide nets in both standard sizes and custom sizes to ensure an exact fit and effective coverage. This adaptability allows for seamless integration on any site layout.
Lightweight Yet Strong:
Built with durability in mind, our safety nets are secure, lightweight, and constructed for maximum strength. They're easy to handle during rigging, without compromising on protection.
Fast UK-Wide Delivery:
With expert advice on hand, we offer swift nationwide delivery so your project stays on schedule. Our team is ready to support you from first contact to final installation.
By using our fall protection nets and accessories such as net ties and test patches, you ensure every system is both safe and compliant, reducing risks while enhancing productivity.
3 Pillars of Safety Netting
We follow three essential principles to ensure our safety net systems meet and exceed all standards:
Competent Rigging
Our team involved in the design, supply, and erection of safety net assemblies are competent through experience and training, as per BS 8411: 2019.
Compliant Product
All of our nets are tested and maintained to meet all requirements of BSEN 1263:1 2014 and BS 8411: 2019, as indicated on the label attached to each net.
Comprehensive Maintenance
Safety nets are maintained systematically, inspected regularly when rigged, and thoroughly examined by a trained member of our team.
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Components of a Safety Net
Hover over the yellow diamonds to see more infomation.
Border Rope: A rope with no knots (spliced joint or stitched joint) with a minimum 30kN breaking strength.
Unique Serial Number: For records and traceability.
Mesh: Formed either knotted or knotless in 100mm or 60mm size. It can be either diamond or square orientation.
Removable UV Test Meshes are serial-numbered components that can be detached from safety nets for testing. Their purpose is to confirm whether UV exposure has compromised the net’s integrity, potentially affecting its performance during a fall. Even if no UV test mesh is visible, compliance is maintained as long as the net has been UV tested within the last 12 months and there is evidence of such testing.
The 3 Key Standards
This standard outlines the safety requirements and test methods for how safety nets are manufactured.
BSEN1263-1:2014
This standard provides safety requirements for the positioning limits and therefore how safety nets are installed.
BSEN1263-2:2014
This is a code of practice for safety nets on construction sites and other works. It explains how to use, select, and specify safety nets. It also sets requirements for a competent person and provides guidance on maintenance procedures.
BS8411:2019
1. Remote Attachment Devices
Rig / de-rig safety nets remotely from low level. Therefore not exposing riggers to any risks associated with working at height. Usually utilising claw poles.
2. MEWPs
If there is clear access and suitable ground conditions. Safety nets may be rigged from MEWPS usually Cherry Pickers or Scissor Lifts which require opertaives to be trained to IPAF 3a & 3b.
3. Ladder Access
Rig / de-rig of safety netting using ladders. Recommended maximum height of 4.5m.
4. Rope Access
Industrial climbing access techniques with IRATA trained operatives.
FASET Best Practice
Access Methods
There are 4 methods of access currently recommended for rigging and de-rigging safety nets which should be considered in the following order.
These methods have been assessed and prepared by the FASET H&S Committee with assistance from HSE to give general guidance on methods of access for rigging of safety net systems.
OUR SERVICES
For Professional Safety Net Systems, Contact Nationwide Safety Now
Our safety netting systems are manufactured to the highest European standard and designed to offer maximum protection with minimal disruption to your project. Available in a full range of net sizes and custom sizes, every net is rigorously tested for quality, weight, and durability. Whether you're planning a large-scale development or a bespoke project, we provide tailored systems to suit your exact requirements, with advice, delivery, and price all subject to your project's specific needs.
In addition to safety nets, we also provide a range of other services, including tensioned access platforms, edge protection, and more.
Safety nets are tested for a maximum fall height of up to 6m. However, it’s good practice to minimise the fall height in every application. The maximum permissible fall height should be within a distance of 2m.
Fall Height
The number of workers protected by an individual safety net must be contained within the capacity of the net. For a 2m maximum fall height, this sets the maximum at 2 workers over an individual net. If 3 workers are required to work above a safety net, a specific risk assessment must be done.
Number of Operatives
The required catching width is dependent on the actual fall height available. It’s good practice to rig the net at least 3m beyond the position of the worker operating above the safety net.
Catching Width
BSEN 1263-2:2002