Rack Safety Nets

Safety nets in high-bay warehouses protect both goods from falling out and people from falling objects. They are installed vertically to close shelves over a wide area and horizontally to protect people from injuries caused by falling objects. According to the workplace guidelines ASR 12/1-3 and ASR 17/1.2, such protective devices, such as safety nets, are required for higher workplaces and traffic routes without adequate protection. DGUV regulations 108-007 and 101-011 specify the requirements for safety measures and the use of safety nets in storage facilities and high-bay racking systems.

In addition to protection against falling objects, horizontally tensioned nets are an important measure to protect people who could not avoid a fall from serious injury.

Rack safety nets can be attached in various ways. One option is to use steel cable frames, where steel wire ropes are stretched in front of the surface to form a frame to which the net can be easily attached using snap hooks or shackles. Alternatively, ties such as quick-release buckles or disposable ties can be used to attach the net directly to the uprights and crossbars. This method enables quick assembly and dismantling. Another option is fastening with lines, where the net is tied directly to the supporting structure mesh by mesh. This ensures a uniform mesh pattern and optimum load distribution.

Safety in storage and retrieval centres is regulated by the workplace guidelines ASR 12/1-3 ‘Protection against falling and falling objects’ and ASR 17/1.2 ‘Traffic routes’. These guidelines stipulate that protective equipment such as safety nets must be installed at higher workstations and traffic routes that are not adequately protected by defences in order to prevent falling objects.

In addition, the German Social Accident Insurance has published Rule 108-007 ‘Storage facilities and equipment’, which defines specific requirements for safety measures in storage facilities. For the use of personal safety nets in high-bay racking systems, nets with properties in accordance with DIN EN 1263 (safety nets) are used. The exact requirements and regulations for their installation in high-bay racking systems are set out in Annex 2 of DGUV Regulation 101-011 ‘Use of safety nets’.