The Importance of Testing and Certification for Construction Safety Netting
August 2021
Safety netting on a construction site performs a crucial task: to protect people and property. This means everyone from workers up on the job to the pedestrians down below. With such a mission-critical goal, testing and certification must be a significant priority for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and end-users.
The fact is, there are lots of entities involved in the manufacturing of safety netting systems. First, let’s consider the suppliers of raw materials and components. For the manufacturer of the finished product to provide a quality product that it can stand behind, everyone in the supply chain must meet established standards. And be able to prove it.
As the old saying goes, the chain is only as strong as the weakest link. For instance, it could be something as small as an inferior grommet that could determine the usability and reliability of a product. This is where standards and certifications come in. They apply to everything in the product’s life cycle: from raw material and components to the manufacturing process and application and use. Several organizations developed and published standards, including ASTM, ISO, ANSI, and OSHA, among others. Here’s a quick summary of the role each provides:
ASTM – provides a forum for the development and publication of international voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM develops technical documents that are the basis of manufacturing, management, procurement, codes, and regulations for dozens of industry sectors. In our world, ASTM sets standards for both materials and configurations for products within certain applications.
OSHA – their purpose is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. For netting, OSHA provides standards for product materials, specifications, and use. This includes factors such as where and how netting must be used. It gets down to granular details as well, such as mesh size, fastener specs, and impact resistance requirements.
ANSI – ANSI’s mission is to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems and safeguarding their integrity. In our world, this includes specifications of materials and the performance of the final product.
ISO – develops voluntary, consensus-based standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges. ISO certification certifies that a management system, manufacturing process, service, or documentation procedure has all the requirements for standardization and quality assurance. For our world, this applies to our suppliers, as well as our own organization. ISO helps us assure that we are putting out a high-quality product on a consistent basis.
Certifications – So, are certifications alone enough? The truth is mistakes do occur, and sometimes a supplier or the manufacturer may have errored, or even tried to cut corners in their quality process. This is where additional testing and certification may be necessary or at times be requested by the customer. The additional process is straightforward. Supplier materials and in some cases finished goods, are outsourced to an independent lab for testing and analysis. The materials or products will be measured against applicable standards to validate conformance. Upon completion of testing and analysis, the manufacturer is provided a report, and if conforming to the standard, a certification of conformance is issued. The resulting analysis and certification process provide those in the supply chain with critical knowledge necessary to maintain quality workflow and ultimately to meet customer expectations.
The bottom line is you CAN NOT underestimate the importance of standards, testing, and certifications to maintain quality of materials, products, and services and above all, to keep us safe.
InCord ‘s On-Site Test Frame
When choosing suppliers, always understand the certifications that may apply to the product you are procuring. Choose suppliers that operate under a quality management system. Be sure that your supplier is knowledgeable and compliant with all relevant codes and industry standards, testing, and certifications. Ask for documents concerning your application or usage. Usually readily available as a PDF. Make sure independent certifications are current and are issued by trusted certifying organizations. Lives may be depending on it.
InCord – is an ISO9001 certified manufacturer, as are most of our prime suppliers. InCord is an active participant in the development of industry standards for ASME and ANSI organizations.
InCord fall protection products save lives and protect property in national auto lube stores, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and construction sites. Beyond industry and construction, InCord safety netting extends fall protection to stage performers in community theater and protects children in backyard tree houses. InCord netting can be found in the smallest neighborhood playground to the largest amusement parks and sports centers.
See more Construction Safety Netting Solutions from InCord:
On job sites big or small, InCord’s custom-crafted safety netting solutions keep you on schedule and in compliance. Also available from InCord is East Coast Lifting Products. American-made synthetic slings, round slings, and tie‐downs.
For more information, email Sales Manager, Daniel Peloquin or call directly at 860.531.3311.
InCord Safety Netting Solutions
860.537.1414 or email netting@incord.com
A leader today and tomorrow.
In 2020, InCord was recognized by its employees and was awarded the Top Workplace by the Hartford Courant for the tenth consecutive year.
InCord provides custom netting solutions for Material Handling, Construction, Amusement, Sports, Theatre, Service Pits (BayNets™), Specialty, and Environmental/Ecological Restoration markets. InCord’s custom solutions meet or exceed applicable safety standards due to consistent research, testing and direct involvement with renowned safety organizations, such as ANSI, OSHA, and ASTM. InCord also offers in-house design, installation and extraordinary customer service for a complete, turn-key experience. Green Bureau Certified Platinum
