As the industry prepares for No Falls Week 2026 (18–22 May), FASET is encouraging contractors, clients and duty holders to prioritise collective fall protection as the most effective way to prevent serious incidents when working at height.
Led by the No Falls Foundation, No Falls Week brings together organisations from across construction and facilities management to raise awareness of the risks associated with working at height and to promote safer working practices. As an official supporter of the campaign, FASET is using the week to reinforce a clear message: prevention should always come before mitigation.
Prevention over mitigation
Falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal injuries in construction. While personal protective equipment and fall arrest systems play an important role, the hierarchy of control makes clear that risks should be designed out or controlled collectively wherever possible.
Collective protection systems – such as safety netting, edge protection, stair towers and platform decking – help to reduce risk at source. By protecting multiple workers at the same time, they remove much of the reliance on individual behaviour and provide a safer working environment across the site.
The importance of trained installers
For collective systems to perform as intended, they must be installed correctly. This makes competence and training critical.
FASET sets recognised industry standards for the installation, inspection and testing of safety netting and related fall protection systems. Through its training programmes and certification schemes, the organisation helps ensure installers have the knowledge and practical skills required to work safely and effectively at height.
When systems are installed by properly trained operatives, contractors and clients can have greater confidence that the protection in place will perform when it matters most.
Choosing the right system
Not all working environments are the same. Different projects and structures require different approaches to fall protection.
From safety netting beneath roof structures to edge protection around open perimeters, selecting the correct system – and ensuring it is installed at the right stage of construction – is essential to effective risk management. Early planning and collaboration between designers, contractors and specialist installers can help ensure that the most appropriate solution is implemented.
A collective industry effort
Improving safety at height requires cooperation across the entire supply chain. Campaigns such as No Falls Week highlight the value of industry collaboration, bringing together organisations, contractors and training bodies with a shared goal: preventing falls and protecting lives.
By promoting recognised standards, supporting training and advocating for collective protection measures, FASET continues to play a key role in raising standards across the sector.
During No Falls Week and beyond, the message remains clear: the safest fall is the one that never happens. Prioritising prevention, competence and the right systems is essential to making that goal a reality.
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