Temporary edge protection systems must be used to prevent personnel working in elevated areas from falling or being injured. Minimum requirements must always be met for temporary edge protection systems, which hold an essential position in achieving occupational health and safety. Thanks to these systems, which provide collective protection, creating safe working areas becomes easier, risks are brought under control through the special measures applied, and minimising damage in the event of an accident becomes easier.

Temporary edge protection systems are vitally important for providing a safer working environment in the construction sector. When this equipment is used, it is possible not only to ensure worker safety but also to allow projects to progress more efficiently. Edge protection systems are products used to prevent people working on tall buildings from falling. Preferred especially on construction sites in residential areas to protect the lives of pedestrians, these products are extremely important when it comes to safety.

Temporary edge protection systems are used to meet occupational safety and health requirements in many different working areas, primarily building construction, and to provide a safer working environment by closing off openings. Using temporary edge protection systems during the construction of buildings, even if it does not eliminate the risk entirely, helps make the construction sector — which carries potential risk — a far more reliable working environment. Various workplace accidents that might result in minor injuries can even result in death if all the precautions required for occupational and worker safety are not taken as they should be.

Supplying occupational and worker safety measures protects the lives of personnel responsible for carrying out work on construction sites while also preventing people outside the area from being adversely affected by an accident. Temporary edge protection systems, which are very important for worker health and safety, must not be neglected. Companies working in accordance with the standards set out in the regulation on occupational health and safety in construction work should be chosen for the manufacture of these products. To learn about collective protection measures with Dekosi, which always offers sensible solutions on this subject, you can contact our customer support team right away.

What Are the Minimum Requirements for Temporary Edge Protection Systems?

There are some important points to consider when sourcing a temporary edge protection system. First, quality manufacturing must be the first criterion sought in temporary edge protection systems. It is very important that the temporary edge protection barrier chosen is framed, has a toe board sheet at the bottom and is a guardrail complying with the TS EN 13374 standard. Accordingly, it is recommended that it includes one of the following: an intermediate guardrail, a main guardrail and an intermediate protection or a toe board. In addition, while the toe board and main guardrail are stated to be among the basic requirements, the openings remaining between these two elements must not exceed 47 cm. It must therefore always be specified that one of the intermediate protection or intermediate guardrail systems (such as balustrade mesh or safety net) must be used.

When sourcing temporary edge protection, products with counterfeit TS EN markings must be avoided. Because low-grade companies today put protection systems with counterfeit TS EN markings on the market, it is necessary to check whether a product carries an embossed seal when buying.

The nets that may be chosen as an intermediate protection system in particular must meet all the requirements of the TS EN 1263-1 standard. Accordingly, the net fixings must meet the minimum requirements set out in the TS EN 13374 standard. Tensioning these nets to prevent slackness is also one of the important details requiring attention. Here:

  • Main guardrail: The vertical distance between any upper point of the main guardrail and the working surface must be at least 1000 mm. Main guardrails must be designed to be continuous and any horizontal gap must be less than 120 mm,
  • Toe board: For all types of toe board, the vertical distance between any upper point and the working surface must be at least 150 mm. Toe boards must be designed so as to prevent gaps forming between them and the working surface. If a gap does exist, it must be dimensioned so that a sphere 20 mm in diameter cannot pass through,
  • Intermediate guardrail or main protection system: While the guardrail system in the TS EN 13374 standard and the dimensions of its components correspond to all the values expressed in Article 6 under the heading "Working at Height" in Annex 4 (A) of the Regulation on Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Work, the values specified in this standard are given in far greater detail.

The classification of temporary edge protection systems must be noted. Temporary edge protection systems within the scope of this standard are expressed under three separate classes: Class A, Class B and Class C. Accordingly:

  • Class A protection is able to resist static loading only. Class A will therefore be sound when used at angles of less than 10°. An inclination of the guardrail system itself of more than 15° from the vertical towards the working surface would be incorrect. At this stage, if there is an intermediate guardrail, the gaps must be dimensioned so that a sphere 470 mm in diameter cannot pass through. If this intermediate guardrail is not continuous or is not present at all, the guardrail system must be dimensioned so that a sphere 250 mm in diameter cannot pass through,
  • Class B protection systems are able to resist static loading and low dynamic effects. Able to support people leaning on the protection or having to walk alongside it, the Class B temporary edge protection system can collectively arrest a person walking towards or falling against the protection. It can also arrest a person falling or rolling from an inclined surface. Class B is used at temporary angles of less than 30° with no fall height classification, or in areas at angles of less than 60° with a fall height of less than two metres,
  • Class C protection systems are an option connected to prevent personnel at risk of sliding from a much more steeply inclined surface from falling, based on high dynamic forces. They can thereby collectively arrest people tipping or sliding from a more steeply inclined surface.

The Dekosi Difference in Temporary Edge Protection Systems

Temporary edge protection systems are products that ensure the safety of personnel actively working in very large-scale industrial activities such as maintenance or repair on construction sites when they have to work in elevated areas. People working in such areas face the risk of falling through edge openings. Because this can sometimes result in very serious injuries, temporary edge protection systems minimise all possible risks while increasing workers' occupational safety.

Temporary edge protection systems are manufactured today in different specifications and types. When buying an edge protection system that addresses your requirements, the specifications of the equipment chosen should be examined carefully and the purchase made afterwards. Here, Dekosi is a professional company providing services to the highest quality standards in the manufacture of temporary edge protection systems. You too can visit our company's website right away to experience Dekosi quality.

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