Falls from height are one of the most common causes of serious accidents on construction sites. Safety nets are one of the oldest and most effective answers: a correctly installed net catches a falling person with far lower forces than a hard landing, protects everyone working above it at the same time, and lets people work freely without constantly clipping and unclipping. This guide covers what you need to know to specify, install and maintain them.
What is a safety net?
A personnel safety net is a net made from synthetic fibres, finished with a border rope and installed so that it catches people who fall. It works by absorbing the energy of the fall through the stretch of the twine and the deflection of the whole net. Because the net decelerates the person over a longer distance than a hard surface, the forces on the body are much lower.
Collective and personal protection
Fall protection measures are usually divided into two groups. Collective protection, such as guardrails, covers and safety nets, protects everyone in an area without any action from the individual. Personal protection, such as harnesses and lanyards, protects only the person wearing it, and only if it is used correctly. Health and safety legislation in the European Union and in Türkiye asks employers to give priority to collective protection, and to use personal protection where collective measures are not practicable.
The order of measures
A practical order is: avoid work at height where possible; prevent falls with guardrails, edge protection and covers; reduce the consequences of a fall with safety nets; and use personal fall protection where these are not possible. Nets therefore often sit alongside edge protection, not instead of it. On a typical construction site you will find several of these measures at the same time.
EN 1263-1 and EN 1263-2
Two European standards cover personnel safety nets. They are adopted as national standards in many countries, including Türkiye as TS EN 1263-1 and TS EN 1263-2.
EN 1263-1: the product
EN 1263-1 sets the safety requirements and test methods for the net. It defines four systems (S, T, U, V), four energy classes (A1, A2, B1, B2), the maximum mesh size, the requirements for border ropes and other ropes, the test meshes that must be attached to the net, and the information on the label. A net that conforms to EN 1263-1 has passed a drop test with a defined energy.
EN 1263-2: installation and use
EN 1263-2 covers how the nets are installed and used: the maximum fall height into the net, the minimum catching width beyond the edge of the work, anchor spacing and loads, the clearance below the net, how nets are joined, and inspection during use. A net that conforms to EN 1263-1 but is installed without regard to EN 1263-2 may not protect anyone.
Reading the label
Every net must carry a durable label. A typical designation reads EN 1263-1 – S – B2 – Q100 – 5 × 10 m: standard, system S, class B2, square mesh of 100 mm, net dimensions. The label also shows the manufacturer, the identification of the net and the year and month of manufacture. Without a readable label, the net cannot be traced to its test results and should not be used.
The four systems: S, T, U and V
EN 1263-1 describes four ways of using a net. Each solves a different site situation; our article on EN 1263 safety net systems compares them in detail.
System S: horizontal net with border rope
The most common system. A net with a border rope is fixed horizontally to the structure, below the area where people work. It is used under steel decks, roofs, bridge decks and long-span structures. System S nets have a minimum size (35 m², with the shorter side at least 5 m), so several nets are often joined to cover larger areas. See construction safety nets.
System T: net on brackets
A net fixed to brackets for horizontal use. The brackets are fixed to the slab edge, columns or roof structure and the net projects outwards from the building. It is used at the perimeter where there is nothing below to fix a System S net to. See bracket safety nets.
System U: vertical net on a frame
A net fixed to a supporting framework for vertical use. Instead of catching a fall, it closes the edge and prevents it. It is used at open edges and on the sides of scaffolds, usually as part of an edge protection system. See edge protection nets.
System V: net on gallows-type supports
A net with a border rope hung from gallows-type arms fixed to the building. The net rises above the working floor and is tied to the floor below, and the whole system is lifted floor by floor on high-rise frames. See System V safety nets.
Energy classes and mesh
The class of a net tells you how much energy it can absorb and how large the mesh may be.
| Class | Minimum energy absorption | Maximum mesh |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 2.3 kJ | 60 mm |
| A2 | 2.3 kJ | 100 mm |
| B1 | 4.4 kJ | 60 mm |
| B2 | 4.4 kJ | 100 mm |
The mesh may be square (Q) or diamond (D). Diamond-mesh nets are installed so that the mesh orientation matches the design of the net; square-mesh nets are easier to cut and join. The 100 mm limit applies to the net that catches people; for small objects, a separate debris net is added. The choice of class is explained in safety net classes A1, A2, B1 and B2.
Materials
Safety nets are made from synthetic fibres. The most common are:
| Material | Strengths | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene (PP) | Light, low water absorption, good chemical resistance, economical | Needs good UV stabilisation; lower heat resistance |
| Polyamide (PA, nylon) | High energy absorption and elasticity, very good abrasion resistance | Absorbs water and loses some strength when wet; higher cost |
| Polyester (PES) | Good UV resistance, low stretch, keeps its shape | Less elastic, so energy absorption depends on construction |
Whatever the fibre, the net must pass the EN 1263-1 test for its class, and UV stabilisation is essential because sunlight is the main cause of ageing. Knotless netting is the usual choice for safety nets: without knots, the mesh does not slip, the net is lighter and the load spreads evenly through the twine.
Planning an installation
Most of the work of a safe installation happens on paper, before the nets arrive. The key questions are where people can fall from, how far, and what the net can be fixed to.
Fall height
The fall height is the vertical distance from the working level to the net. EN 1263-2 limits it to a maximum of 6 m, and to less at the edges of the net where a falling person may land near the border rope. The lower the fall height, the lower the forces and the smaller the deflection, so nets should be installed as close as practical below the work.
Catching width
A person who falls does not always fall straight down. The net must extend beyond the working edge by a minimum catching width that increases with the fall height. As an indication from EN 1263-2: about 2.0 m for a fall height up to 1 m, 2.5 m up to 3 m and 3.0 m up to 6 m.
Anchors
The border rope is fixed to anchor points on the structure. EN 1263-2 gives the maximum anchor spacing (2.5 m is the usual figure for System S) and the load the anchors must take (a characteristic load of 6 kN is commonly used for design). The capacity of every anchor point must be confirmed by a competent person.
Clearance below the net
When a net catches a person it deflects. The space below the net must be free of obstacles, such as beams, equipment or stored materials, deep enough for the maximum deflection. Never store materials under a safety net.
Joining nets
Large areas are covered by several nets. They are joined with coupling ropes laced through the edge meshes, or overlapped, so that no gap is left between them. Gaps between the net and the structure must also be closed.
Note: the figures in this section summarise EN 1263-2 for orientation. Always check the current edition of the standard and the manufacturer’s installation instructions for your project. Our article on fall height and clearance goes into more detail.
Installation step by step
- Plan: draw the net layout, the anchor points and the fall heights; check the clearance below.
- Prepare the anchors: install and check anchor points before lifting the nets.
- Lift and fix: lift each net into position, fix the border rope to the anchors with tie ropes at the planned spacing.
- Join: lace adjacent nets together and close gaps at the structure.
- Check: check tension, sag, joints and clearance; remove debris.
- Hand over: a competent person inspects the installation and records it before work starts above the net.
Installation work itself is work at height. Installers must use appropriate access equipment and personal fall protection while the nets are being installed.
Inspection, maintenance and service life
A net that is not inspected cannot be trusted. Inspection has three levels:
- Before each shift: a visual check of the net, ropes, anchors and joints, and removal of debris.
- After every impact: a net that has arrested a fall, or been hit by a heavy object, is taken out of use until a competent person has inspected it.
- Periodically: at least every 12 months, a test mesh is removed and tested to confirm that the net still has the energy absorption of its class.
Nets are replaced when they show cut or broken meshes, damaged border ropes, burn marks from welding, heavy UV degradation, a failed test mesh or a missing label. Store nets dry, out of sunlight, away from chemicals and heat. Our article how often must safety nets be tested and replaced includes a checklist.
Debris, facade and void nets
Personnel safety nets are often combined with other nets that protect against falling materials rather than falling people:
- Debris nets with a fine mesh, laid over a safety net or used on their own.
- Scaffold netting on the outside of scaffolds, to contain dust and debris.
- Facade protection nets that hold loose cladding on existing buildings.
- Stairwell and atrium nets that protect voids in finished buildings.
None of these replaces a personnel safety net where people can fall.
Legal requirements
Employers are responsible for assessing fall risks and providing suitable protection. In the European Union this follows from the framework directive on health and safety at work and the directives on temporary or mobile construction sites and work equipment, implemented in national law. Requirements and enforcement differ from country to country, so always check the rules that apply to your site. EN 1263-1 and EN 1263-2 are widely used to show that safety nets meet the state of the art.
How to specify and buy safety nets
A good enquiry saves time on both sides. Include:
- the system (S, T, U or V) and class, or the situation if you are not sure;
- the area to protect, net sizes or a drawing;
- the fall height and the anchoring structure;
- colour, quantity and delivery place;
- whether a debris liner, ropes or accessories are needed;
- documents you need with the delivery.
Price depends mainly on the class and material, the net size and finishing, the quantity and the ropes and accessories. Our article what determines the price of a safety net explains each factor. For distributors and rental companies, we also produce nets under your brand; see contract manufacturing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a safety net in construction?
A safety net is a collective fall protection measure: a net installed below or beside a work area that catches people and materials if they fall. Personnel safety nets are made and tested to EN 1263-1.
What is the difference between EN 1263-1 and EN 1263-2?
EN 1263-1 is the product standard: it defines net systems, classes, test methods and labelling. EN 1263-2 covers installation: fall height, catching width, anchors, clearance and use.
What is the maximum fall height into a safety net?
EN 1263-2 limits the fall height into the net to 6 m, and to less near the edge of the net. Keep the net as close as possible below the working level.
How long does a safety net last?
Service life depends on sunlight, weather and use. Test meshes are tested at least every 12 months to confirm the net still meets its energy class. Nets are replaced when a test fails, after damage or when they cannot be identified.
Can safety nets be used instead of harnesses?
In most regulations, collective protection such as nets and guardrails is preferred over personal protection. A risk assessment decides which measures are needed for each task.
Do safety nets catch tools and small materials?
Not reliably: personnel nets may have a mesh of up to 100 mm. Add a fine debris net over the safety net to catch small objects.
What information does a safety net label show?
The manufacturer, the standard designation with system and class, mesh size and shape, net dimensions and the date of manufacture.
How do I get a price for safety nets?
Send the area to protect or a drawing, the fall height, the anchoring structure, the class, the colour and the quantity. We reply with a specification and a price.