Weidmyer has witnessed the variability in netting system installation first hand. Given his company’s focus on risk assessment and loss control, Wei- dmyer has had the opportunity to work with contractors in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida to review their insurances and to monitor their safety program and protocols. Outside of New York City, which is known for the some of the most stringent netting system codes in the country, Weidmyer says, “I’ve seen netting system installed by contractors that I feel slice it thin in terms of protection. For example, they install a debris net that serves only the minor purpose of catching light debris, but if somebody fell into it, it is not going to support them.” Weidmyer says that in New York City, the nets specified and installed are often expected to serve double duty of catching heavy debris as well as providing personnel fall protection. The codes even require pa- perwork that verifies the integrity of the manufacture of the net itself. OSHA Guidelines Subpart M and Article 19 of the NYC Building Code require specific safety systems on a construction site. To meet the guidelines, contractors must submit a site safety plan to the city. For high rise buildings 15 stories or more, netting is typically man- dated in the safety plans from the 6th floor up. Nets are the primary passive fall arrest system option on the market and usually the most cost effective. They provide not only fall protection and the separation of trades, but also protection of workers and the public, in addition to other property below from falling debris. In addition, netting can be used for other purposes including as a scaffold and barrier netting and for façade containment, to protect the public from falling debris from deteriorating buildings until permanent repairs can be undertaken. For the past 35 years, Weidmyer says he has relied on Pucuda – Lead- ing Edge for the netting system designs in his safety proposals. Pucuda – Leading Edge designs the system and can submits the relevant paper- work and follows through until it is authorized by the Department of Buildings, if needed. Pucuda – Leading Edge is one of the few netting system manufacturers that produces nets in the United States and that has a history of innova- tion in product design. The company was founded 27 years ago by hands-on netting expert John Rexroad, President, Founder and CEO of the company. Weidmyer says the company is basically a one-stop-shop and he also turns to them for the nets as well, all of which conform to all ANSI, OSHA, Army Corps of Engineers, and ASTM standards. “John is a phenomenal net system designer and so is his team,” says Weidmyer. “I have recommended him to quite a few contractors in New York City because I know his systems are designed properly and there is no second thought or concern about them working properly.”
Avoiding Costly, and Potentially Deadly, Shortcuts in Netting System Selection
Construction managers, general contractors, and building owners are certainly familiar with safety netting systems and the reasons to install them, which include protecting workers and debris from falling from structures, as well as façade and ceiling containment. They also believe these passive systems create and maintain a safe work environment. However, when it comes to specifying the appropriate solution for a construction project, many see netting systems as, well, pretty much all the same. In reality, this could not be further from the truth, given the broad variability in the quality and construction of nets, suitability for the stated safety purpose, quality of testing, and other factors that impact the ability to meet a broad range of national and state fall protection and debris control standards. While this list is extensive, it only serves to underscore the fact that netting system selection should squarely rest in the domain of experts and engineers, and not viewed as a mere commodity item. As such, contractors and building owners often rely on third parties with a wealth of netting-specific knowledge and expertise when devising safety plans or designing and installing rented or purchased nets and systems. “You can’t just put a netting system together that you feel is going to work, only to realize at the end of the day it was not sufficient for the purpose,” says Harry Weidmyer of Construction Safety Service and Solutions. “You are taking something that is a vital part of safety on a project and so you can’t take shortcuts and put up netting that seems easier, or maybe requires a little less labor.” There are other reasons that well manufactured and designed netting system also makes good business sense beyond the safety aspect. It can also reduce insurance costs, improve safety ratings, speed produc- tivity, boost worker morale, and create a positive public image. No Shortcuts As vice president of risk management at a major construction firm in New York for 20 years and now president of his own company, The variability in netting system quality and design illustrates the critical role of third-party experts when selecting fall protection and debris control systems for construction projects By Jeff Elliott
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csengineermag.com
october 2020
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