Safety Net Systems

When safety net systems are used, they must be installed as close as practicable under the walking or working surface on which workers are working and never more than 30 feet below that level.

When nets are used on bridges, the potential fall area from the walking or working surface to the net must be unobstructed.

All safety nets must be installed with sufficient clearance underneath to prevent a falling body from hitting the surface or structure below the net.

Additional safety net guidelines include the following:

• Drop-testing is required to ensure that safety net installations are working properly. The safety net must absorb the force of a 400-pound bag of sand dropping onto the net. If an employer can demonstrate that it is unreasonable to perform a drop test, then the employer or a designated competent person must certify that the net installation is in compliance with the standard.
• Do not use defective nets.
• Inspect nets weekly for wear, damage, or deterioration of components such as net connection points.
• Remove materials, tools, and other items as soon as possible from the net and at least before the next work shift.
• To work properly, a safety net must have safe openings. Mesh openings must not exceed 36 square inches and must not be longer than 6 inches on any side. Each opening, measured center-to-center of mesh ropes or webbing, must not exceed 6 inches.
• All mesh crossings must be secured to prevent the openings from enlarging.
• Use a safety net with a border rope possessing a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.
• Do not allow one weak link to compromise a safety net. Use connections between safety net panels that are as strong as integral net components and spaced no more than 6 inches apart.
• The safety net must extend outward at a distance that is dependent on how far the net is from the working surface. (OSHA provides a formula to follow.)

To learn more about Fall Protection visit our Construction Fall Protection Online Training web page.