Choosing Industrial Safety Nets: 2 Things to Consider
If your industrial crew is planning to work at height, it is vital that they are protected by netting. Netting is designed to provide a final level of safety if the harnesses and clips fail and a worker falls from the scaffold platform. Below is a guide to 4 things you should consider when choosing protection netting for your industrial site.
The type of material the net is made from
It is essential that you choose a net which is made out of a strong and robust material. Workers who are wearing protective gear or heavy tool belts can weigh a great deal. Also, if the person falls from a height before they hit the net, they will pick up a lot of kinetic energy which will increase the force of their impact. The net needs to be strong enough to absorb the force of the impact and the weight of the person. If it does not, the outcome could be serious injury or even death. Furthermore, strong industrial netting doesn't just protect the person who has fallen from a height. It also protects the people below who are at risk of being hit. Ideally, you should opt for high strength plastic or wire net. Avoid rope netting as this may not provide enough strength.
The size of the net and its mesh
Nets are supplied in a range of sizes. Before buying a net, you should assess the length of the scaffold platform it will be used to protect. You should then purchase a net which is slightly wider than scaffold so it can also be used for side protection. Another thing you will need to consider is the depth of the net. When a person falls, they may not fall straight down. If they have tripped or slipped, they may fall some distance away from the scaffold on their way down. It is essential that the net you choose is deep enough to catch anyone who has travelled some distance horizontally during their fall.
Once you have established the best dimensions for the net, you should turn your attention to the mesh. If the mesh is too large, tools and other objects which have been dropped or which have detached from the work belt of a person who has been caught by the net may pass through the gaps. Falling objects pose a serious risk to anyone at ground level.
If you would like more advice, you should contact an industrial net manufacturer.