Falls from height remain the most common kind of accident causing fatal injuries and mainly involve roofs, ladders, scaffolds and raised platforms. In 2005/06 there were a total of 59 fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry*.
Safety nets are used on construction sites and similar works mainly to arrest a person’s fall, although they can be used to catch or contain debris. BS 8411:2007 provides essential guidance and recommendations on the safe use, erection and effective maintenance of safety nets on construction sites and other works where there is risk of a fall. It is applicable generally to safety nets that conform to BS EN 1263-1 (Safety nets. Safety requirements. Test Methods’) and that are erected within the positioning limits given in BS EN 1263-2 (‘Safety nets. Safety requirements for positioning limits’). However, as these standards are very specific, this British Standard also gives advice on how to assess the reliability of safety nets outside these limits.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Scope
Normative references
Terms and definitions
Layout and applications
Planning of net installations
Erection, use and dismantling
Care and maintenance of safety nets
Annex A (informative) Legal considerations
Annex B (informative) Assessing the reliability of safety nets
Annex C (informative) Competence, supervision and training
Figure 1 – Eaves and bagging to avoid waisting
Figure 2 – Typical attachment device
Figure 3 – Maximum deflection for nets greater than 35 m² in area
Figure 4 – Typical UV test tag Figure 5 – Typical repair tag
*Source: www.hse.gov.uk
