Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00425:body:0:p21
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00425
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 52708–55563

Industrial safety nets
Safety nets can provide a satisfactory means of protection while allowing workers maximum freedom of movement. They should not be used to enter or exit a work area or as a working platform.

If safety nets are used, you should ensure that:
    * safety nets are securely anchored before any work starts
    * safety nets are constructed of material strong enough to catch a falling person or thing
    * safety nets are hung as close as is practicable to the underside of the working area, but
      no more than two metres below the working area
    * perimeter safety nets used where there is no edge protection extend at least 2.5 metres beyond the leading edge of the working area
    * the safety net has sufficient tension and clearance to prevent a falling person contacting
      any surface or structure below the net
    * material is not allowed to accumulate in suspended safety nets
    * no welding or oxy cutting is performed above safety nets
    * safety nets are inspected, particularly after installation, relocation or repair
    * safety nets are stored correctly in dry, shaded areas with good air circulation.

6.3 Individual fall-arrest systems
Individual fall-arrest systems consist of some or all of the following components:
    * anchorages
    * lifelines
    * inertia reel
    * lanyard of fixed length
    * retractable lifelines
    * rope grabs
    * wire grabs
    * rail system
    * shock absorbers, both personal and industrial
    * harness
    * snap hooks (double or triple action to prevent rollout)
    * karabiners (double or triple action to prevent rollout)
    * rescue equipment.
Individual fall-arrest systems rely on workers wearing and using them correctly, and therefore workers who will use such a system must be trained in its safe use. They should only be used where it is not reasonably practicable to use higher level control measures.
Relevant Australian/New Zealand Standards for personal fall-arrest equipment require that they be permanently marked or labelled to indicate their purpose, correct use, limitations and other relevant information aimed at reducing misuse of the equipment.

Anchorage points
Each anchorage point should comply with the requirements in AS/NZS 1891:4 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – selection, use and maintenance.

All anchorages should be tested and approved by a competent person before use—a visual inspection may not reveal the structural integrity of the anchor point (i.e. the bolt may have failed below the concrete surface).

Each anchorage point should be located so that a lanyard of the system can be attached to
it before the person using the system moves into a position where the person could fall.

Inspect the system components

Each component of the system and its attachment to an anchorage must be inspected by