Saftey Net Requirements and Information

Safety checks over and above compliance with Safety-Net

Our fully Qualified Site supervisors are FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) trained and are fully certified with regards to rigging, inspection and examination of Safety nets.

FASET is a UK based entity that was established as the trade association and training body for the UK and Irish safety net rigging and fall arrest industry.

All of our safety nets comply with EN 1263:1 (2002) Industry Safety Nets and will be used in accordance with the requirements of EN 1263:2 (2002).

At the completion of each installation, we implement a two stage handover procedure whereby the installer/rigger of the nets signs the job specific Handover Certificate to confirm that works can proceed above the net, and then our senior in house rigging inspector also visits the project to carry out a second inspection of the installation, and he also signs off on the Handover Certificate. This second inspection is not mandatory to ensure compliance, but has been implemented by Safety-Net to effectively audit all installations for compliance with approved installation and rigging criteria.

FASET is the only recognized industry body for Safety nets in the world.

It sets training standards & works closely with Industry leaders & Work safe N.Z to ensure industry compliance & correct workplace procedures.

FASET qualified installers will be issued with a certificate & FASET Passport proving competency to BS8411:2007 – Code of Practice for install of Safety nets on Construction sites & other works.

Safety-Net Safety Nets provides FASET trained supervisors for all jobs.

Safety-Net Safety Nets ensure that all industry ‘Best Practice’ techniques are used in conjunction with Industry Leading Safety Nets.

Safety is ‘what we do’ & we lead by example to ensure total customer satisfaction.

Each net supplied can be identified by a label which displays the following unique information.

• The name of the manufacturer
• The address of the manufacturer
• Type of safety net
• Dimensions of safety net
• Registration Number
• Date of manufacture of the net.

• COMPLIANT PRODUCT
• COMPLIANT RIGGING
• CERTIFIED INSTALLERS

This Best Practice Guidelines for Working on Roofs is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and has been prepared in association with the Roofing Association of New Zealand (RANZ). The purpose of these guidelines is to provide practical guidance to employers, contractors, employees, and all others engaged in work associated with working on roofs. It offers examples on how duty holders can meet their obligations under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and its associated regulations. Accordingly, compliance with these best practice guidelines is recommended.

A fall from height is the most serious hazard associated with roof work.

Preventing falls from roofs is a priority for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The Ministry expects principals, employers, and contractors with staff working on roofs to actively manage any potential for falls.

Investigations by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment into falls while working at height show:

• More than 50 percent of falls are from less than three meters
• Most of these falls are from ladders and roofs
• The cost of these falls is estimated to be $24 million a year — to say nothing of the human cost as a result of these falls.
• More injuries happen on residential building sites than any other workplace in the construction sector, and of falls experienced by roofers:
• 20 percent were over three meters in height.
• 40 percent were from permanent structures such as roofs.

In December 2011 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment initiated a targeted program to address the issue through the Preventing Falls from Height Project. These guidelines support this project and give all who are involved with working on roofs a clear direction on how to manage the work in a way that will bring down the death and injury toll.

• Do the nets have serial number, test meshes and unique ID label?
• Is the net “in test” i.e. has it been tested and certified to confirm compliance?
• Are the nets/border ropes/tie ropes free from damage?
• Are the brackets free from damage?
• Are screws in good condition?
• Do not over drive screws when installing brackets.
• Are there any repairs present in the nets?
• Have repairs been carried out correctly?
• Has each repair been tagged correctly?
• Are the walls/support points suitable?
• Are there sufficient bracings @2.5m centers max?
• Are the braces kept to a minimum and wherever possible kept clear of “safe zone”?
• Are ceiling battens in place? If so do not install nets
• Have nets been installed as close as possible to the working level?
• Are tie spacing for nets at no more than 2.0m centers?
• Is the net tied in every corner of each room?
• Are there any gaps greater than 100mm?
• Is there sufficient clearance to allow for net deflection: Rule of thumb: net deflects 1/2 of shortest span. Therefore in house construction our rule is that no span can be greater than 3m. If minimum span greater than 3m, must install additional cross ropes. If not, advise Client of any issues
• Nets overlapped minimum of 2m or correctly laced?
• Has a Handover Certificate been provided?
• Has the Handover Certificate been completed correctly?
• Are there any areas that have not been netted and need further measures taken?
• Are any unprotected areas clearly identified on the Handover Certificate?
• Is the Client aware of recovery procedures – has document been included with Handover Certificate?
• Is Client aware of inspection requirements – has document been included with Handover Certificate?

The aim of inspections should be to ensure that safety nets remain fit for purpose throughout their service life. Therefore, following initial inspection by Safety-Net inspector immediately following erection, if satisfied that the net system is fully compliant, a Handover Certificate will be issued

Clients also need to check that the net system remains compliant throughout the period of installation, by visually surveying the system prior to works being undertaken above the net system The nets should be treated in the same way as scaffolding, i.e. it is to be inspected by the client prior to use, and any defects / concerns made known to Safety-Net management immediately .

When inspecting, note should be made of whether the net has been loaded, that the anchorages remain in good order, no ties/straps/hooks have been removed or undone, that it is clear of debris, that no mesh cords have been cut and there is adequate clearance distance.

It is important that safety nets should be kept free of all debris that may cause injury to persons falling into them. If this requires the net to be disconnected and reinstalled, it must be carried out by a competent rigger.

Any debris likely to cause damage to the net or to any person likely to fall into it, identified at the inspection should be reported to the responsible person.

Special attention should be given to safety nets systems which are adjacent to operations giving rise to agents who may damage the net e.g. welding, cutting of roof tiles etc.…. In such areas the frequency of inspection should be increased. If any deformations, fraying or discoloration is noticed, Safety-Net management should be advised.

All persons have a duty to inspect the nets on a daily basis, and advise Safety-Nets of any concerns that it may have.

General points to look out for:

• Do the nets have serial number test meshes and a label detailing where and when the net was made
• Is the net free from damage?
• Are any repairs to the net tagged?
• Is the primary support suitable?
• Are all rope ties /straps/hooks and at maximum of 2.0m centers?
• Are brackets at maximum 1.7m centers?
• That there are no gaps/voids greater than 100mm
• Are additional catenary ropes securely installed to limit maximum short side span to 3.0m?
• Is there sufficient clearance below the lowest point of the net?
• Has any object been introduced to the area immediately below the net?
• Is there suitable edge protection in place beyond the leading edge of the net or will additional fall arrest measures i.e. harnesses/lanyards be required in these areas?
• When all the nets are rigged were they handed over with the appropriate paperwork?