When I got my first construction job after moving to a big city, I was a bit nervous. I wasn’t used to working at heights. I had worked on the rooftops of a few houses, but working on a high rise building was a whole new ballgame.

On my first day, I lost my balance near the edge and I was sure I was going to fall. Thankfully, I managed to catch myself, but it made me realize it could happen to anybody. That’s why I never take for granted the safety nets my company set up in case one of us isn’t as lucky as I was.

Safety Nets Save Lives

When a worker is exposed to a potential fall from heights, the employer must implement fall protection measures to ensure they can work safely. This can include:

Safety nets can be highly effective. When installed properly, safety nets can reduce the distance of a fall from a high level, or prevent the fall altogether.

Other fall protection measures are essential. Preventing a fall should always be the top priority. But when those prevention measures fail and a fall does happen, the safety net will help you avoid a tragic outcome.

Safety Net Regulations

As with any fall protection system, OSHA outlines regulatory specifications for the proper use of safety nets. Here’s what you need to know.

Placement

Safety nets must be installed as close as possible to the working surface or the surface from which the fall may take place. But they must not be further than 30 feet below in either case.

When safety nets are used on bridges, the potential fall must be unobstructed.

The vertical distance from working level to the horizontal plane of the net will determine the minimum required horizontal distance of the outer edge of the net from the edge of the working surface:

  • Vertical Distance up to 5 Feet: The maximum horizontal distance of the outer edge of the net from the working surface is 8 feet
  • Vertical Distance Between 5 and 10 Feet: The maximum horizontal distance of the outer edge of the net from the working surface is 10 feet
  • Vertical Distance of 10 Feet or More: The maximum horizontal distance of the outer edge of the net from the working surface is 13 feet

Safety nets must be installed with enough clearance to prevent contact with any other surface or structure under them when subjected to an impact force equal to the weight used in the drop test.

Drop Testing

The drop test consists of a 400 lb. sandbag dropped from the highest elevation from which a potential fall might occur, and from no fewer than 42 inches above that level.

Safety nets must be drop tested on the job site at the following times:

  • After installation and prior to first use
  • If the net is relocated
  • After a major repair
  • After six months, if the net is left in place

Certification

Once the safety net has been drop tested and has been shown that it is capable of absorbing an impact force equal to the weight used in the drop test, the net may be certified for use by the employer or other competent persons. This certification means that the net is compliant with the regulations for impact absorption, as well as sufficient clearance.

The certification record must include:

  • Identification of the net to be used and the net installation
  • Date at which the net was demonstrated to be compliant with the impact force standards
  • Signature of the individual deeming the net compliant

The employer must keep the most recent certification available on the job site and readily available for inspection.

Inspections

Nets must also be inspected at least once a week, and after any occurrence that might have affected the integrity of the system. They should also be inspected for UV-related deterioration at least once per year.

Defective nets must never be used and should be tagged and repaired or removed from service. Nets should be inspected at least once per year for UV-related deterioration.

Other Considerations

  • Objects that have fallen into the net must be removed immediately
  • The maximum mesh size is six inches by six inches
  • Mesh crossings must be secured in an effort to reduce possible enlargement of the mesh opening
  • Each safety net, or section of net, must be equipped with a border rope for webbing with a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds
  • Connections between nets must meet the same minimum requirements as any other net components and must not be spaced more than six inches apart