Temporary Edge Protection Systems

Edge protection systems are a key piece of safety equipment used to prevent falls in the building sector. Whether it is in the construction of a new structure, renovation or maintenance of existing buildings, any height that can cause physical injury is considered dangerous and must be protected. The use of temporary edge protection systems helps to ensure that workers can work safely in a variety of situations, including around openings, stairs and roof edges.

The design of these systems must comply with TS EN 13374 standards. This includes ensuring that the system can hold its intended load. This is especially important when the system is placed on an uneven surface, such as a sloped floor. The manufacturer must test the edge protection system at both the lower and upper limit of the load, and the design should be adjusted accordingly.

This type of testing is usually performed in a laboratory, but field tests can also be carried out. These tests allow the manufacturers to be sure that their products meet the required safety standards and will not collapse under the anticipated loads. The tests are often done in the form of simulations, but they can also be carried out in the real world by using a load cell or by performing static calculations.

Testing of Temporary Edge Protection Systems

The testing results for the prototype of this new temporary edge protection system indicate that it can withstand both accidental and basic loads. It is also capable of resisting dynamic loads, such as wind forces. In addition, the new TEPS can absorb kinetic energy up to 1100 J at any point along its length. This is an improvement compared to conventional edge protection systems, which can only absorb up to 500 J in the most unfavorable case.

It is also possible to install this type of system in the field without the need for complex scaffolding or other support structures. This saves time and money, as well as reducing the risk of accidents on site. In addition, the design of the new TEPS is very simple and can be assembled in a few minutes. This is ideal for situations in which a temporary solution is needed.

TEPS is a safety device that consists of a series of vertical posts and horizontal wooden walers. These are placed side by side and connected by joints, as shown in Fig 6a. The mechanical resistance to the imposed loads was tested by means of a load cell, which measured the force exerted on each joint and the deflection of the whole assembly. The tests were conducted with a top guardrail, an intermediate rail and a bottom rail.

This system is designed to withstand the maximum dynamic load imposed on it during a fall from a height of 2 m and 5 m. The system can also be adapted to higher falling heights by adding more elements at each level. Since 2012, 181 events have been notified to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland that involved workers or other people falling through or off scaffolding. Of these, one death was recorded and 116 resulted in serious injuries that required hospitalisation.