What is FASET safety netting and who needs to install it?

FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) is the established trade association and training body for the safety netting and temporary safety systems industry worldwide. In the UK, FASET standards are synonymous with BS EN 1263 compliance, governing how safety nets are manufactured and installed.

According to the Work at Height Regulations 2005, collective fall protection (like safety netting) must always take priority over personal protection (like harnesses). Any principal contractor or site manager overseeing roof works, high-level steel erection, or fragile roof replacements must ensure adequate safety netting is in place.

Not just anyone can install these nets. They must be installed by competent persons who hold a valid FASET CSCS blue card. This regulatory context means that whenever a scaffolding company secures a perimeter access contract for a roofing project, the inevitable next question from the client is: "Can you handle the internal safety netting too?"

Why scaffolding companies are under pressure to include safety netting

Principal contractors want simple procurement, and prefer to award a single "access and fall protection" package rather than managing separate scaffolders and net riggers.

  • Competitive advantage: Scaffolding firms that offer complete fall protection packages win more bids. Refusing the netting portion often means losing the entire scaffolding contract to a competitor who provides a turnkey solution.
  • Regulatory pressure: Clients expect their access providers to be the ultimate authority on Work at Height compliance. Expecting the client to source their own FASET riggers creates friction.
  • Margin opportunities: Bundling safety netting allows scaffolding companies to increase their project value and maintain healthier margins.

The problem with hiring in-house FASET riggers

Recognizing the demand, many scaffolding business owners attempt to bring FASET netting in-house. However, they quickly run into significant operational roadblocks:

High training costs

Training scaffolders to FASET standards is expensive, and maintaining those certifications requires ongoing CPD, logbook hours, and reassessments.

Equipment investment

Purchasing BS EN 1263-1 compliant nets, managing annual test meshes, and storing them correctly requires significant capital and logistics.

Resource allocation

Pulling your best scaffolders off the tube-and-fitting work to rig nets disrupts your core business operations and slows down primary structural builds.

Liability shift

Rigging safety nets absorbs massive liability. If a net fails because your sporadically-trained scaffolder missed a gap tolerance, the legal consequences are devastating.

What to look for in a FASET safety netting subcontractor

Partnering with a specialist subcontractor is the most effective way for scaffolding companies to offer netting without the overhead. When vetting a partner, demand this checklist:

  • FASET certification and credentials (Blue Card riggers)
  • Suitable insurance, including cover for work at height
  • Proven experience working alongside scaffolding operations
  • Rapid response time and UK-wide availability
  • A track record of clean handovers and verifiable references
  • Clear B2B pricing transparency allowing you to protect your margin
  • Excellent communication and site coordination capabilities

How RAT Work works as a safety netting subcontractor for scaffolding companies

At RAT Work, we designed our B2B partnership model specifically for scaffolding and access companies. We work as part of your team and deliver the netting scope, so you can bid for the whole contract.

IRATA rope access and FASET-trained netting

Our FASET-trained operatives work on IRATA rope access, so nets can be rigged in complex structures where MEWPs can't reach, saving time and plant hire.

Priced into your bid

We price the netting for you to build into your bid. You quote the client; we install and issue the handover certificate. No margin pressure. No territory conflict.

Frequently asked questions

Do scaffolding companies legally need to hire a FASET safety netting subcontractor?

Not legally, but any person installing safety netting must be "competent." In the UK, the HSE recognizes FASET certification as the benchmark for competence. If your in-house staff lack FASET cards, using a certified subcontractor is the only way to ensure legal compliance.

How much does FASET safety netting cost?

Costs depend on the square meterage, the height of the building, and access difficulty. Subcontractors typically offer fixed B2B rates to scaffolding firms, allowing them to mark up the service for the end client.

Can scaffolding companies install their own FASET safety netting?

Yes, provided they invest heavily in purchasing EN1263-1 nets, maintaining annual test meshes, and putting their scaffolders through intensive FASET training and assessments.

How quickly can a FASET subcontractor be deployed?

Subcontractors with rope access capabilities can often mobilise quickly, because they don't rely on heavy plant to rig the nets.

What's the difference between FASET and other fall protection systems?

FASET specifically governs safety netting and temporary edge protection. It focuses on collective fall arrest (protecting everyone), whereas harnesses (personal fall arrest) only protect the individual and rely on user compliance.

Work with a FASET safety netting subcontractor you can rely on

Stop turning down lucrative roofing and steelwork contracts because you lack in-house net riggers. Partner with RAT Work to offer a complete, compliant, and profitable access package to your clients.