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Toolbox Talk – Safety Nets

This week in our Toolbox Talk, we are taking a look at Safety Nets. Safety nets, also known as “vertical safety nets,” are installed both inside and outside buildings under construction. Acting as collective fall arrest systems, they are typically used at heights of 10 meters or more. These nets absorb or reduce the impact energy from falling workers or debris, helping to prevent accidents and save lives during construction projects.

 

Passive net systems consist of two major types:

Personnel nets – catch personnel falling from high places. These nets are made from synthetic materials with strong mesh to withstand falls and minimise injury.

Debris nets – catch small, lightweight construction debris, tools, and materials that may fall from a structure, protecting workers, passersby, and traffic.

 

Installation requirements

  • Should be installed by a qualified person, in consultation with everyone who is going to use the net.
  • Should be examined for damage before it is installed and should not be used if any damage is found.
  • Nets should be overlapped by at least 2 m if overlapping is required.
  • There should be no gaps between the net and any adjacent structures greater than 250 mm.
  • The net should be installed close to the working platform and attached to a strong supporting structure.

 

Inspections, repair, and maintenance

The inspections must be visually inspected regularly by a competent person, and the records of all inspections must be kept on-site. Inspections should check for:

  • Incorrect installation
  • damage to stitching
  • defects in knots
  • cuts/nicks/abrasions in mesh
  • deformed fittings
Safety Nets - Inspections
Safety Nets – Inspection, Repair and Maintenance

 

3 Categories

Interior nets

Are used inside structures where there is a risk of falling from a significant distance, often paired with debris nets when other fall protection methods, like flooring or scaffolding, are not practical. They should be cleaned regularly, depending on the debris collected.

 

Restoration nets

Restoration nets protect workers, the public, displays, and traffic from falling objects during restoration projects. Examples include slag nets, which catch debris from cutting or welding, and windscreen nets, which restrict the spread of materials while allowing ventilation.

 

Perimeter nets

Personnel or debris nets that are erected around the perimeter of a building to protect workers from overboard falls or to catch construction debris.

 

Download the full Toolbox Talk document on Safety Nets below:

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