Temporary edge protection systems are mandatory under occupational health and safety legislation on every project where the working surface rises at least 2 metres above ground level. Panels complying with the TS EN 13374 standard are designed to minimise the risk of personnel working at height falling. These protective systems both safeguard the lives of workers on site and help contractors fulfil their legal responsibilities.
Edge protection solutions are critically important in many fields, primarily construction, industrial maintenance, infrastructure and energy projects. In risky environments such as facade installation on high-rise buildings, factory roof repairs or bridge construction, modular edge protection panels offer the advantage of fast installation and flexible transport. This keeps work continuity uninterrupted while site safety is maintained at the highest level.
High-Rise Buildings
Edge protection systems become mandatory when the working level on a construction site rises more than 2 metres above the ground. On multi-storey residential and commercial projects in particular, the risk of operators or installation teams falling while working at facade edges is high. Thanks to their modular structure, TS EN 13374 Class A temporary edge protection panels can easily be fixed to each floor or intermediate platform, creating a reliable line of defence.
Mesh edge protection panels used on high-rise buildings are manufactured from lightweight aluminium or galvanised steel. This makes installation and dismantling fast, and they can be carried by hand without the need for crane support. The panels' standard load capacity and horizontal and vertical resistance ensure worker safety in accordance with legislation.
Industrial and Infrastructure Projects
On heavy industrial sites such as factories, warehouses and power plants, there is a risk of falling from height during machinery installation, pipework or suspended platform assembly. Using a panel system complying with TS EN 13374 in these enclosed working areas both guarantees personnel safety and increases work continuity. Panels positioned around temporarily installed rail platforms or superstructure assembly areas create a fixed line of protection.
Similar safety requirements arise on bridge, viaduct and highway construction. When contractors install superstructure elements onto bridge beams, there is a serious risk of loss of life without a stable guardrail system. Modular mesh edge protection panels can be easily integrated into the edges of temporary suspended platforms or facade scaffolds, providing continuous, high-performance protection on the construction site.
Temporary edge protection projects must follow certain steps in order to fully comply with occupational safety legislation and provide effective protection on site. Every stage must both meet legal obligations and be designed to minimise the risk of workers falling.
The requirements of an edge protection project are as follows:
Risk Analysis and Project Planning
The first step of the project is a site survey and detailed risk analysis. The heights in the working area, ground conditions and potentially hazardous points are measured and a risk map is created. This map shapes critical decisions such as which areas will use edge protection panels, the panel type and the installation method.
A project plan is prepared in the light of the data obtained. The plan includes elements such as material quantities, the panel configurations to be installed, installation time and the work programme. This ensures maximum efficiency in time and resource management as site teams proceed step by step.
Compliance with the TS EN 13374 Standard
The fundamental requirement of edge protection systems is that they meet the class of the TS EN 13374 standard — A, B or C — appropriate to the needs of the project. While Class A provides the most basic protection against falls at flat ground edges, Classes B and C offer additional load resistance on ramps or temporary platforms.
Certified test reports for every panel and the technical documentation provided by the manufacturer must be included in the project. These documents allow the employer to fulfil its legal responsibility and guarantee the performance of the system installed on site.
Material Quality and Durability
Edge protection panels are generally manufactured from aluminium alloy or galvanised steel. The mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and weight criteria of the chosen material must be evaluated according to the project. A lightweight structure makes installation easier, while high strength guarantees long-lasting protection of the panel against impact and load.
All materials are delivered to site with quality control reports from the manufacturer. The use of units that are cracked, bent or have coating defects is prevented. In addition, a periodic maintenance and inspection programme is established to ensure the continuity of material performance.
Installation, Inspection and Training Processes
During installation it is important that every panel is installed at the correct angle and with sufficient fasteners. Fixing points are selected so as to provide maximum grip without damaging building elements. Load tests and on-site checks are carried out during installation to verify the stability of the system.
The installation team working on the project is given training on panel positioning, fixing methods and daily checklists. Workers are taught rapid response procedures in the event of any loosening or damage. This both raises the level of safety on site and prevents possible work stoppages.
Not using edge protection systems creates a direct risk of falling for personnel working at height. In this case even a simple slip can cause serious injury or death. Workplace accidents have lasting negative effects on both worker health and morale. The safety culture on site is also damaged and workers feel unprotected.
Acting contrary to legislation brings heavy administrative fines and work stoppage penalties for the contractor. Insurance companies may refuse to compensate for accidents occurring on sites where protective measures have not been taken. Legal liabilities, compensation claims and loss of reputation adversely affect the cost and duration of the project. Financial losses therefore increase and competitiveness in future tenders is weakened.
On mandatory projects, edge protection systems are inspected with daily and weekly checks. At the start of each shift, site safety officers complete inspection forms covering the fixing points of the panels, the handrail height and the horizontal and vertical rigidity values. During visual inspection, deformation in welds, fasteners and panel surfaces is identified. Any shortcomings identified are recorded immediately and rectified without delay. Otherwise work in that section is temporarily halted.
In addition, periodic official inspections are carried out. Static load tests and certificate checks are carried out at monthly or quarterly intervals by bodies authorised under TS EN 13374 or by the employer's occupational health and safety unit. Inspection reports are documented and archived; in case of non-conformity a revision plan is prepared and the actions taken are presented to the inspection committee. This guarantees the continuity of the system, compliance with legislation and worker safety.
Edge protection systems must remain installed on all working platforms more than 2 metres above ground level from the reinforced concrete slab and scaffold installation stages following the structural construction phase. These temporary panels must not be dismantled until structural safety measures such as final permanent guardrails or concrete parapets come into effect. They are kept in use until the risk of falling is eliminated, after facade insulation, exposed concrete work and curtain wall installation are complete. This way, the temporary line of protection ensures worker safety without interruption during the critical stages of the project.
The decision to dismantle is taken after balcony railing installation or the installation of the permanent roof edge system at the final stage of the project. A dismantling programme is prepared in line with the final inspection and risk assessment reports produced by the occupational safety officers. After a damage inspection to assess the reusability of the panels, they are removed and stored in appropriate conditions. This ensures both full compliance with occupational safety standards and preservation of equipment efficiency. To source temporary edge protection systems for your mandatory projects at the most affordable cost, you can contact Dekosi.
