BS 8411:2007

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