Safety netting is often legally required on a construction site or for repair crews working in any area, but even when not legally required, it can be good to use safety netting. This can keep your crew safe and also protect the jobsite or your warehouse and production facility. When you're buying safety netting for a construction site or any industrial setting, note a few important features to remember so you're sure to get the right type for your intended use.

1. Border guard systems

A border guard system is a type of netting that is placed flat outside the borders or edges of elevated construction areas. It's often used when you cannot put a net vertically around the edges of a building being constructed or repaired, such as when walls are still being erected and cannot provide a proper anchor for a vertical net. This type of border guard catches falling personnel, but be sure you choose netting with smaller mesh so that it catches any excess debris, falling tools, dust, and the like. Netting with a larger mesh may allow small tools, concrete, bricks, and the like to fall through, putting persons on the ground at risk.

2. Floor to ceiling netting

If you do want a net that you hang vertically so that it creates a type of safety barrier for personnel where walls are not present, be sure you opt for one that actually meets guardrail requirements. These nets will often be made of a metallic covering over the fabric to keep them stronger than rubber or plastic nets, which may have too much "give." Rubber or plastic nets may stretch too far to actually keep personnel safe on elevated construction sites.

3. Pallet rack safety netting

When you stack items in a warehouse, it's good to have netting around the items so that you protect workers from any falling product. This type of netting is called pallet rack safety netting, but you need to ensure you get the right type for your facility and use. If you need netting for a freezer area, choose polyethylene as this will stand up to the colder temperatures without becoming rigid and cracking. If your warehouse or production area creates intense heat such as from welding equipment, you need netting that can withstand that heat and which is flame retardant. Be sure you check these features when buying pallet rack netting for your warehouse or production facility.