Do I Need Construction Safety Nets?

How much do you know about Construction Safety Nets

? Do you work at heights? Some of us love it, and others hate it but we all need to know that the net below us will catch us if we happen to fall.

Falling from heights is one of the most common occurrences in any construction work. The very nature of our work means we often build upwards and have to use scaffolding and access ways to build the next level. Thats a given, but are we always best covered when working at heights? Is safety netting always the appropriate choice?

Very often it is. Do you know anything about it though? Most modern netting is constructed of polypropylene in a square mesh. This is because square mesh offers greatest spread of weight in the event of a fall, while polypropylene is both enormously tough, but does not absorb water.

Another major consideration of Construction Safety Nets is that they are durable. When nets fail (which they do vary rarely, thankfully) its usually because of one of two factors. The first of these factors is a distressed net. We all drop things, but what happens when we drop it from a few hundred feet? Danger is what happens. Sure, if you drop a hammer, youll be a little worried. What about that slither of unwanted burger salad? Could it contain a mild acid? Is it possible you could have weakened the net? Of course, this is an extreme example, but it has happened. The point is that you cannot monitor what touches or damages the net, so you must perform a drop test periodically. This involves dropping a bag of sand onto the net in various areas and looking for weaknesses. GEt information about drop tests from your supplier.

The second most common reason for net failure is the tie-cord. This is often the strongest part of the net, but can sometimes, if not properly used, be the weakest. Drop-tests will help here, as well as following manufacturers guidance when tying off.

Its also worth remembering that the higher you are, the wider your nets need to be. For up-to-date info, your supplier, again, will be the best source, and will hopefully have current Construction Safety Nets regulation at point of sale. Make sur eyou file the paperwork, just as you would any other.

Construction Safety Nets are not just for you. Remember that they are also to protect the ground level workers as well. For this reason, its not simply personnel netting which needs to be used. Safety netting is a wise precaution as well. The right combination of correctly placed safety netting and ample clearance around a site will effectively negate any risk to anyone working at ground level.

YOu must test and inspect your netting regularly. A once weekly inspection is recommended, as well as after any incident which may have an adverse effect on the netting. This could include any scrap metal caught by the Construction Safety Nets, or a relocation of the netting; 99 times out of 100 you wont find anything on your inspection, but given the nature of the risk, namely death, its well worth checking, wouldnt you say?

by:Martin Sejas

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