It is paramount for all persons working above a Safety Net that any gaps in the netted area be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.

In most cases, by installing Safety Nets to the bottom of a structure, there should be no gaps between the edge of the Safety Net and the structure, as shown in Figure 1. Where this is not achievable, gaps should be no more than 100mm.

In exceptional circumstances, such as around large diameter service pipes or heating ducts etc. larger gaps may be unavoidable. In these circumstances, a maximum permissible gap of 225mm is acceptable, but efforts must be made to reduce the gaps a much as possible.

On occasions where a gap greater than 225mm is unavoidable, additional safety measured must be implemented by those working above the Safety Net in that particular area. In these situations, the Safety Net Rigger should record any such instances and a description of why this situation is unavoidable on the Safety Net Handover Certificate.