STANDARDS FOR SAFETY NETS

Definitive standards for testing and repairing fall arrest safety nets

The Fall Arrest and Safety Equipment Training association (FASET) has published industry standards for testing safety nets for UV degradation and for repairing knotless nets following damage. The standards have been produced by the FASET health, safety and technical committee.

(a) Testing Safety Nets for UV degradation: Nets are manufactured from polypropylene (a material adversely affected by ultra violet light) and must have been tested within the 12 month period prior to use to ensure they meet the minimum strength requirements specified by the manufacturer.

The standard covers all aspects of testing including calibration of the testing machine itself, the specification and speed of the test, the permissible breaking strength and how to record the results.

All testers must be deemed competent by a FASET safety net manufacturing member as evidenced by a FASET safety net tester’s certificate.

(b) Repairing Knotless Nets: Subject to certain key criteria being met these nets can be repaired for further use following damage by cutting, abrasion or hot materials.

Setting out the minimum standard for permanent laced patch repairs, the 2-page document also covers permanent single strand repairs, C-ring repairs, border rope and temporary on-site repairs, plus repairs adjacent to selvedge.

FASET company secretary, Tony Seddon said: “Safety netting is there to protect workers in the event of a fall from height. It is therefore essential that these nets, doing such an all-important job, are subject to exacting requirements.”

This article was posted on 4th December 2009 in ALL LATEST NEWS, ROOFWORK, WORK AT HEIGHT.
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STANDARDS FOR SAFETY NETS

Definitive standards for testing and repairing fall arrest safety nets

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