In the dynamic environments of today’s warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities, safety is paramount. Operations are increasingly storing inventory at higher heights and in different areas. That can, however, pose potential risks to personnel and property. Enter protective netting – a versatile solution that provides a reliable product fall barrier in a range of situations throughout industrial environments. Indeed, there are a variety of different applications in which protective netting safeguards people and property in industrial facilities.

Protective netting consists of either woven nylon and polyester or extruded polypropylene and polyethylene. Depending on the installation, the netting’s purpose is to capture and retain either falling products or people, said Brian Stevenson, Vice President of Material Handling at InCord. The company is a member of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA).

“Safety netting has applications throughout multiple areas in an industrial facility. And its dimensions are fully customizable to accommodate those different installation areas,” he explained. “Depending on the application, it could be catching totes, cases, boxes, pallets, tools used by maintenance personnel, or associates working at heights.”

Netting for Pallet Rack Contains Falling Products

Warehouses are bustling hubs of activity, with forklifts maneuvering up and down aisles of rack to store, retrieve, or transport goods. Protective netting plays a crucial role in safeguarding personnel working around pallet rack by preventing (or containing) items from falling off. Custom-sized netting attaches to the columns and beams on the back and sides of one or more spans of rack bays.

“By installing netting along the back, sides, and fronts of racking, warehouses can mitigate the risk of accidents caused by falling objects,” said Randy Johnson, Vice President of ProGMA member Industrial Netting. “It can also keep flue spaces clear to ensure compliance with fire suppression regulations.”

Netting for Elevated Conveyor Systems Stops Falling Items

Conveyor systems are essential for the efficient movement of materials within industrial facilities. Many conveyor installations include spans suspended from the ceiling to preserve available floorspace below. However, the fast-paced nature of conveyor operations can lead to items inadvertently falling off, creating a safety hazard.

Protective netting installed along runs of conveyor acts as a barrier. It contains fallen materials, preventing them from causing harm to personnel or equipment below, observed Russ Schirmer, Director of Sales at ProGMA member Carron Net Company.

“Conveyor guard netting is very lightweight. Therefore, its installation around the sides and underneath a conveyor does not add significant weight,” he explained. “For ceiling-hung conveyor, it is important not to put additional stress on the roof support structure of the building.”

Elevated Work Platform Openings Protected by Netting

In manufacturing and distribution settings, workers often perform tasks at heights above ground level, such as on pick modules or elevated work platforms. Protective netting provides vital fall protection in these areas, serving as a reliable barrier to prevent workers from falling through openings and sustaining injuries. Netting also stops items from falling off the sides of the elevated structure. It is frequently added to guardrails to obstruct openings. This keeps personnel and equipment at ground level safe.

Shield Open Edges at Loading Docks with Protective Netting

Loading dock openings are another area where safety netting enhances employee safety. Installing safety netting in front of loading dock door openings helps to prevent accidental falls when a trailer is absent. Often made of brightly colored material for high visibility, these protective netting systems integrate into the dock in either single or contiguous arrangements. Because they are soft, pliable, and lightweight, they do not impede access to the doors.

Netting in Stairwells and Catwalks Prevents Falls

Industrial facilities often feature stairwells and catwalks for accessing different levels or areas within the facility. Protective netting installed along these structures acts as a barrier to prevent falls and provide protection for personnel moving between levels. Installed along open staircases or narrow catwalks, the netting ensures a safer working environment for employees.

Netting Safeguards Personnel Working in Maintenance Areas

Industrial facilities require regular maintenance to ensure optimal functioning of equipment and machinery. Safety netting installed around maintenance areas segregates equipment and service technicians from other personnel. This provides an added layer of protection for both parties during maintenance tasks. Whether it surrounds elevated platforms, machinery, or maintenance pits, netting stops worker falls or dropped tools.

Secure Access to Storage Areas with Netting

Storage areas within industrial facilities house a variety of materials, equipment, and supplies. Protective netting installed around storage racks or shelves helps prevent items from falling off or containing items that have fallen. This stops them from causing injuries or damage. It can also provide a layer of security around stored items, said Stevenson.

“Netting installation options include the ability to raise and lower the netting with a pull-cord system,” he explained. “Alternately, some installations allow the netting to slide open and closed for access to products or tooling.”

Learn More About Safety Netting

Looking for more ways safety netting can enhance personnel safety? Visit the categories dedicated to this guarding solution in the Protective Guarding Search Tool, published by the members of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA): Overhead Mesh Guarding, Safety Netting, and Conveyor Guarding.