Northern Steel Decking carry out the vast majority of our works at height. Therefore suitable fall arrest systems are of the highest priority. The primary method would be by the use of safety netting, however under certain circumstances (for example when installing decking to non-steel frame projects such as blockwork or concrete walls) air bags are required. NSD provide both safety netting and provision of air bags in house with our own equipment stock and labour.
NSD are a FASET registered safety netting company in our own right, as such we do not need to subcontract this element of our works. We undergo our annual audit which examines closely all our internal systems to ensure compliance with FASET requirements.
The technical side of fall prevention and fall arrest has moved away from simple strength issues and has embraced energy absorption as the fundamental principle governing the design and the performance.
It is of vital importance that in order to work as an effective system we ensure the following points are adhered to:
– Nets comply with BS EN 1263-1
– Rigging is carried out by riggers who are fully qualified
– Equipment is systematically maintained using modern lightweight safety nets fitted as close to the work position as possible by our own directly employed FASET trained riggers.
By fitting safety nets closely to the working level they prevent a fall causing personnel injury and also offer a collective level of protection, as such, they are an improvement on the use of harnesses and lanyards.
FASET is the trade association and training body for the safety net rigging and fall arrest industry worldwide. FASET has been growing in membership as companies have begun to realise the benefits of being associated with the high standards represented by the association. All members undergo a rigorous audit to ensure management systems are in place.