What is Edge Protection?

Understanding Edge Protection: Ensuring Safety at Heights

Edge protection is a critical safety measure on construction sites designed to prevent falls and protect workers. Its primary purpose is to "prevent persons or objects from falling to a lower level," significantly reducing the risk of fatal accidents.

Importance of Edge Protection

With numerous potential hazards in construction, edge protection solutions are vital. They help prevent falls from heights and ensure no objects fall onto workers or the public below.

What are the Different types of Edge Protection?

Types of Edge Protection Systems

1. Catchfans

Catchfans are double-layered nets attached to structures to catch falling objects, minimizing damage and injuries. They are adaptable for different project sizes and can be fitted to both steel, concrete and scaffold.

2.  Barrier Systems

Barrier systems include high-quality steel fences that can be drilled, clamped, or cast-in to various platforms. They offer different heights, lengths, and adjustable guardrails, making them suitable for diverse construction environments.

The V Compression Post solution is also available and can provide floor to soffit containment options from 2.44 and 4.5 metres.  

As with all HAKI temporary edge protection products the range is quick to install/remove and flexible in being able to meet the complexities, challenges and demands of the environments our partners work in.

It allows for flexible barrier configurations and height adjustments to achieve full containment. This product has been designed to support double height barrier load requirements and complies to EN 13374-A.  

3. Fall Arrest Systems

Fall arrest systems are personal protection solutions that anchor workers to the ground. Notable examples include:

• Alsipercha: A steel frame allowing a 6.5m movement radius for a worker in a harness.
• Alupercha: A lighter aluminium version with a 6.5m radius, easy to install, providing shock absorption to minimise fall impact.

Where is Edge Protection required?

Edge protection, such as guardrails or barrier systems, is required in the following situations:

1. When carrying out work on rooftops or raised areas where there is a risk of falling a distance that could cause personal injury. This includes work for maintenance, cleaning, inspection, demolition, etc.
2. Around the perimeter of roofs where access might be needed for maintenance, cleaning, or other work. Some standards, like the Building Regulations, require guardrails on any roof where people may require access.
3. Wherever there is a risk of falling more than two meters, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines. If guardrails are not appropriate, fall arrest equipment like safety harnesses must be used instead.
4. On stairs, ramps, floors, balconies, and any roof that people have access to, as well as light wells, basement areas, or similar sunken areas.

To find out more about our solutions to enhance your Workzone Safety please explore our Edge Protection system pages or submit a form to request follow-up from one of the experienced HAKI team.