BS EN 1263-1:2014

What is BS EN 1263-1-Safety requirements and test methods for safety nets about?  

BS EN 1263 is a European standard on temporary works equipment that discusses the safety nets to ensure protection to workers against workplace hazards. 

BS EN 1263-1 is the first part of a multi-series that applies to safety nets and their accessories for use in construction and assembly work to protect from deeper fall.  

BS EN 1263-1 specifies safety requirements and test methods and is based on the performance characteristics of polypropene and polyamide fibres. Materials used in nets should have no significant reduction in mechanical properties between –10 °C and +40 °C. 

Note: BS EN 1263-1 is not applicable to the installation of safety nets. For a European Standard covering the installation of safety nets, see EN 1263-2. 

Who is BS EN 1263-1-Safety requirements and test methods for safety nets for? 

BS EN 1263-1 on the safety requirements and test methods for safety nets is useful for: 

• Safety net manufacturers 
• Safety net designers 
• Safety net test personnel 
• Occupational health and safety departments 
• Quality assurance departments 

Why should you use BS EN 1263-1-Safety requirements and test methods for safety nets?  

Safety nets for use in construction and other assembly work, e.g., as devices to catch falling persons during the construction of halls and bridges, in open line construction as side protection, as anti-fall devices or devices to catch falling persons on working scaffolds, as side protection for safety scaffolds at roofs and in tunnelling can be chosen as a technically suitable and economic solution to catch persons falling from a height. They serve to protect from deeper falls even when large areas in plan occur. 

BS EN 1263-1 provides you guidance with the types of ropes, properties and requirements, designation, requirements, construction, dynamic strength of safety net systems, test methods, test apparatus and test for the static strength of nets. 

The requirements and test methods provided by BS EN 1263-1 assist you in improving the quality and performance of the safety nets and ensure a reduction in the risk of the likelihood or seriousness of an injury.  

With obedience and compliance to BS EN 1263-1, you can enhance the efficacy of the safety nets and manufacture a standardized product. 

What is changed since the last update?  

BS EN 1263-1:2014 supersedes EN 1263-1:2002, which is withdrawn. BS EN 1263-1:2014 has made some technical changes compared to the previous editions EN 1263-1:2002. These include: 

• Addition of a new rope denominated “W” in Table 2 
• Deletion of designation for nets. change of designation for ropes 
• Complete revision of Clause 7 (test methods), incorporation of the description of a new vertical test rig and new figures for the mash samples 
• Revision of dimensional inspection of the mesh size. Replacement of relevant figures