Cost of Safety Netting and Barriers
across the UK

# Safety Netting and Barriers: Trade Body Accreditation

The main regulatory frameworks and trade bodies governing safety netting and barriers in the UK include the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which sets baseline legal standards for fall protection and workplace safety, and the Construction Industry Safety Partnership (CISP), which promotes best practice across the sector. For temporary or event-based installations, the Event Safety Alliance provides guidance on crowd control and barrier specifications. Many providers also seek certification through the British Standards Institution (BSI), particularly BS 6307 for temporary demountable structures, or membership of trade associations such as the Temporary Demountable Structures Association (TDSA) or the Association of Independent Hire Companies (AIHC). These accreditations confirm that a provider has met rigorous standards for equipment design, installation, inspection, and staff training, and that they maintain documented safety procedures and insurance cover appropriate to the work.

Verifying a provider's credentials is straightforward but essential. Ask for their current accreditation certificates or membership numbers and cross-check them directly with the relevant bodies' websites—do not rely solely on copies provided by the company. Request evidence of their most recent safety audit, public liability insurance documentation (typically £10 million minimum for this sector), and references from previous clients in similar sectors. For contract work on large sites, ask whether they hold SSSTS (Site Supervisor of Safety Training) or SMSTS (Site Manager of Safety Training) certification, or if their supervisory staff hold these qualifications. Accredited providers should also be able to demonstrate ongoing staff training records and should welcome site inspections before and during installation. This verification matters because working with unaccredited suppliers can expose you to regulatory breaches, liability claims if someone is injured, and project delays if your client discovers non-compliance mid-contract.

Accredited providers typically charge 10 to