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December 2, 2009

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Industry standards for testing safety nets for UV degradation and for

repairing knotless nets following damage have been published by FASET,

the trade association for the fall arrest and safety-net rigging

industry.

A collective-protection system, safety nets can reduce injury on site by absorbing energy from a falling person. As such, these nets must be subject to stringent inspection and maintenance routines.

Produced by FASET’s health, safety and technical committee, the first standard addresses the testing of safety nets for UV degradation. Because nets are manufactured from polypropylene – a material said to be adversely affected by ultraviolet light – they 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, 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 the association’s safety-net tester’s certificate.

A second two-page standard covers the repairing of knotless nets. These nets can be repaired for further use following damage by cutting, abrasion, or hot materials – but only if certain key criteria are met.

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

FASET company secretary, Tony Seddon, commented: “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.”

For more information on the standards, visit www.faset.org.uk

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