Anti-Fall Safety Nets: Where They're Used and How to Choose One

Sep 29

3 min read

When work happens at height and a fall can't be fully prevented, an anti-fall safety net is the last line of protection. It is rigged below or beside the work area to catch a person, or dropped tools and material, before they reach the ground. Here's what our anti-fall net is made of, where it's used, and what to check before you order.

White knotted polyester anti-fall safety net with rope border — Our anti-fall safety net: knotted polyester mesh with a rope border and tie ropes at the corners.

What is an anti-fall safety net?

An anti-fall net (also called a safety net or fall-arrest net) is a strong knotted net with a heavy border rope. It is stretched and tied off to fixed anchor points so it hangs taut under the area where people are working. Guardrails and harnesses aim to stop a fall from happening; the net is there for when one happens anyway.

Anti-fall safety net hung from its corner tie ropes — Anti-fall net hung from its corner tie ropes.

Where anti-fall nets are used

Under factory and warehouse roofs during roof repair, re-sheeting or skylight work
Bridge and viaduct works, where the drop is over open ground or water
Openings and edges at height where guardrails can't be fitted
Securing cargo and loose material on flatbed trucks and trailers

Polyester anti-fall safety net rigged over an open area at height — Anti-fall net rigged over an open area at height.

What our anti-fall net is made of

Material: 5mm polyester twine
Mesh: 2" x 2" (about 50mm) knotted mesh
Border: thick rope border around the full edge
Fixing: a tie rope at each corner for anchoring

Polyester suits outdoor sites in Singapore: it handles sun and rain well and stretches less than nylon, so the net stays taut once it's tied off.

Close-up of 2 inch knotted polyester safety net mesh — Close-up of the 2" x 2" knotted polyester mesh.

Corner of an anti-fall safety net showing border rope and tie rope — Corner detail: border rope and tie rope.

Safety net border rope and knotted mesh tied off against a brick wall — Border rope and knotted mesh, tied off against a wall.

Sizes: stock and custom

We keep 1m x 1m and 3m x 3m nets in stock. For larger openings or odd shapes, we make nets to size. Send us the measurements and where the anchor points are, and we'll quote.

Large custom-size white anti-fall safety net laid out flat — A custom-size anti-fall net laid out flat.

Using the net to secure loads

The same net works as a securing net. Thrown over a load on a flatbed or trailer and tied down, it keeps loose material from shifting or blowing off in transit. For general cargo, see also our cargo net.

Safety net securing loose material on a trailer at a Singapore construction site — Safety net holding loose material on a trailer at a Singapore construction site.

Anti-fall net, scaffolding net or fire-retardant net?

Anti-fall net: strong, open knotted mesh, rigged to catch people and heavy objects.
Scaffolding net: a lighter, closer mesh wrapped around scaffolding to hold back dust and small debris. Available in HDPE and fire-retardant PE. It is not made to catch a falling person.
Fire-retardant safety net: tested to NFPA 701, for sites where hot work or fire risk is a concern. See the listing.

For a fuller comparison of site nets, read Scaffolding Net, Safety Net or Barrier Net: Which Does Your Site Need?

Before you order

Measure the area the net has to cover, and allow extra for tying off at the edges.
Check where the anchor points are and that they are strong enough to take a load.
Think about what the net needs to catch. If small tools or debris could pass through a 2" mesh, add a finer debris net on top.
Check with your site safety officer or main contractor what the project requires, including any test certificates.
Inspect the net before each use for cut twine, broken knots or a worn border rope, and replace damaged nets.

Get a quote

See the anti-fall net listing for stock sizes, or contact us for custom sizes. Call or WhatsApp +65 6298 1233, email sales@honlycompany.com, or visit us at 335 Beach Road, Singapore 199564 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm, Sat 8:30am–1pm).