Proper installation of safety mesh to prevent falls from height

Working at height is a dangerous activity, regardless of occupation. This is a situation that many in the construction industry, particularly roofing plumbers, find themselves working in on a daily basis.

To mitigate the risk of a fall by roofing plumbers and others that work at height during the course of their work on construction sites, regulations require a safety mesh be installed over the entire roofing plane before work starts on the roofing installation. These requirements are clearly outlined in construction regulations and Australian standards, but it appears a trend has occurred in recent times on construction sites where the requirements are either minimised or misunderstood, compromising the integrity of safety mesh, which could cause serious injury or even death.

To address this problem, the Plumbing Trades Employees Union of Australia (PTEU) recently issued a hazard alert about this trend that has occurred in recent times on construction sites which could compromise the integrity of safety mesh and cause serious injury or even death.

According to the PTEU's Steve Rocco, who prepared the hazard alert, the issue had been raised among union members who had noticed this practice creeping into the roofing industry. It was particularly observed that safety mesh was often being fixed to the gutter/eaves purlin using metal flashing 'tek' screws. Rocco told me that he has also seen inadequate overlapping between the edges of the mesh and even 'chicken wire' used in place of proper safety mesh, neither of which would be effective in preventing someone falling through it.

The hazard alert states:

"This is an unsatisfactory method of fixing safety mesh. Safety mesh has been tested and designed to meet testing standards developed by a national testing authority; and only mesh passing this test is suitable for fall prevention."

"The testing criteria includes the method of fixing the safety mesh to the purlin. The only way the safety mesh can be installed as per the test is if the longitudinal wires are passed through a hole drilled on top of the purlin and tied off with at least four turns around the wire, or wrapped around the purlin and tied off accordingly."

"Where timber purlins are used, 40m x 3.5 staples should be used, or wrapped around the purlin and tied accordingly."

"Failing to install the mesh as per the manufacturer's recommendation will result in the failure of the safety mesh to perform as intended and therefore fail to arrest a fall."

"Action to be taken - Should a member be directed to install safety mesh that does not meet the manufacturer's recommendations, that is by using sheet metal flashing, your employer is failing to provide a safe system of work. Protection from a fall is therefore not provided and this work must cease."

"Members must contact the union if they become aware of metal flashing being used in the installation process of safety mesh."

According to Rocco, the union has contacted WorkSafe Victoria to encourage safety inspectors to look more rigorously on construction sites for situations where the safety mesh has not been installed correctly to curb this unsafe trend.