A safety fence separates work and hazard areas, protects people from falling objects, flying sparks and crushing hazards, and structures workflows on construction sites as well as in deconstruction and extraction projects. In the fields of concrete demolition and deconstruction, gutting works, rock excavation, tunnel construction and natural stone extraction, it is a central element of technical protective measures—especially when hydraulic tools such as concrete pulverizers or hydraulic wedge splitters are used. Properly planned, set up and operated, a safety fence acts as a passive barrier, supports access control and reduces disruptions to the workflow.
Definition: What is a safety fence
A safety fence is a temporary or permanent mechanical barrier made of fence panels, posts and connecting elements that clearly delineates a hazard area and prevents unauthorized access. Depending on the task, it can be supplemented with tarpaulins, nets or catch systems to improve control of flying fragments, dust emission or visual screening. In demolition and deconstruction projects, the safety fence separates active work zones—such as when separating reinforced concrete with concrete pulverizers or during controlled splitting with hydraulic wedge splitters—from occupied areas. The safety fence serves risk reduction, but does not replace organizational measures such as briefings, hazard analysis or the safety supervision of the work area.
Safety fence in demolition: safely separating tasks and risks
In concrete demolition and special deconstruction, hazards arise from falling components, toppling elements, sharp-edged fragments and uncontrolled movements during gripping, cutting or splitting. Concrete pulverizers exert high forces on components and can create fracture edges that give way unpredictably. Hydraulic wedge splitters induce stresses in the material; this can lead to sudden cracking. Safety fences create safe distances, define escape and rescue routes and facilitate the control of material logistics. They also act as visual guidance for all trades, for example during combined work with hydraulic power packs, combination shears or multi cutters.
Construction, types and components of safety fences
Safety fences consist of modular systems that can be scaled according to project requirements. Important factors are sufficient height, tip-over stability, impact-resistant connecting elements and a mesh size suitable for the intended use.
Temporary construction and safety fences
- Mobile and quick to assemble, suitable for changing construction sites and day jobs.
- Mesh panels with tubular frames, connected by clamps; bases made of concrete or steel, ballasted if necessary.
- Optional privacy or dust screens; use during splitting or cutting only when wind loads are accounted for.
Fixed safety grilles and barriers
- For longer periods of use or in stationary areas, e.g. in tunnel heading, processing halls or on processing yards.
- Anchored to the structure, higher impact resistance, optionally with gate systems for material and equipment passages.
Components and details
- Fence panels: Gratings, perforated sheets or mesh fabric; select mesh size to prevent reaching into hazard areas.
- Posts and connections: Secure clamps and bolted joints against self-loosening; inspect regularly under dynamic loads.
- Base plates and ballast: Check the load-bearing subgrade; level uneven terrain; add ballast against wind and impact loads.
- Gates and accesses: Only at controlled locations; self-closing systems and clear signage promote access discipline.
- Add-ons: Nets, tarpaulins, impact mats to reduce flying fragments; combine as needed, but always account for additional wind load.
Integration with hydraulic technology: concrete pulverizers and hydraulic wedge splitters
Hydraulic applications create specific interfaces between safety fence, tool and supply technology.
- Hydraulic power packs: Position outside the hazard area wherever possible; route supply lines so they do not create trip hazards at accesses.
- Hose routing: Under the fence or through defined pass-throughs; use abrasion protection and kink protection; avoid crushing hazards at edges.
- Working clearance: Define an extended hazard area around concrete pulverizers and splitting cylinders, as components can yield or break out.
- Signaling: Visual and audible signals during pressurization; only authorized persons in the work area; regulate access at the fence with clearly visible signs.
Planning and sizing: distance, loads, sight lines
The design of a safety fence is based on the specific hazards and the state of the art. Decisive factors include potential actions from the activity (impact, material drop), environmental conditions (wind, terrain, traffic flows) and the required visibility of the process.
Distances for splitting and cutting work
- Place the safety fence so that no one stands within the direct action range of concrete pulverizers or splitting tools.
- Plan additional clearance if components may be prestressed or when separating composite materials (concrete–steel) with unclear load transfer.
- Provide sufficient refuge spaces in tunnels and caverns; never block doors in the fence.
Wind and tip-over stability
- Secure free-standing fences against wind loads; tarpaulins significantly increase loads.
- Reinforce kinks and corners; bracing and struts are effective against tipping.
- Check the subgrade: distribute loads over a larger area on soft ground; anchor on concrete or asphalt if necessary.
Assembly, operation and maintenance
- Preparation: Hazard analysis, material list, define escape routes and accesses.
- Assembly: Align posts plumb, tighten connections, install anti-tip braces and ballast; hang gates and test function.
- Inspection: Visual check for gaps, trip hazards and loose connections; apply signage.
- Operation: Regular inspections, especially after vibrations, wind events or equipment transports.
- Maintenance: Replace damaged panels immediately; retighten connectors; inspect tarpaulins and nets for tears.
Practice-oriented application in the areas of use
Concrete demolition and special deconstruction
Selective deconstruction creates changing hazard zones. Safety fences structure work stages, for example when concrete pulverizers make separation cuts at beams and components are then brought to the ground in a controlled manner. During stress relief in components, the protected area remains closed; only after release is material logistics routed through gates.
Strip-out and cutting
In buildings with ongoing use or sensitive surroundings, the safety fence clearly separates work areas. Where multi cutters or steel shears cut lines and sections, the fence prevents unauthorized access and channels transport routes for removed materials and residues.
Rock excavation and tunnel construction
When creating enlargement profiles or removing inclusions with rock splitting cylinders, the hazard area is secured by robust safety grilles and warning zones. In tunnel bores, gates acting as sluices are useful to separate machine and personnel passages.
Natural stone extraction
In the quarry, the fence prevents uncontrolled access to active extraction faces. During controlled splitting of large blocks with hydraulic wedge splitters, additional nets help keep brittle fragments within the work area.
Special application
For special tasks, such as safely disassembling tanks or containers with tank cutting tools, the safety fence becomes part of an overall concept of cordoning, ventilation and measurement practice. It provides zoning without replacing technical hazard elimination.
Common mistakes with safety fences and how to avoid them
- Insufficient ballasting: Tipping panels endanger people; plan ballast and bracing.
- Mesh size too large: Reaching through is possible; adjust when gripping or cutting tools operate nearby.
- Open pass-throughs: Do not clamp hoses or cables under the fence; use defined penetrations.
- Tarpaulins without a wind concept: Use sight or dust protection only with adequate structural design.
- Missing access control: Secure gates; define clear responsibilities for releases.
Documentation, instruction and responsibilities
A safety fence only works in combination with organizational measures. Responsibilities for setup, inspections and releases must be defined. Instructions convey why the fence is in place, where the hazards are and how to use accesses. Changes in the construction sequence—such as relocating concrete pulverizers, rock splitters or hydraulic power packs—require an update of the segregation and the documentation.
Occupational safety and legal notes
For the selection and operation of safety fences, generally accepted technical rules and relevant regulations must be observed. These include requirements for fall protection, machine and construction site safety, as well as the marking of hazard areas. These notes are general and do not replace an individual assessment of the specific case. Responsible parties should review the applicable regulations and obtain expert advice if necessary.
Checklist: safety fence for demolition and splitting work
- Identify hazards (fracture behavior, flying fragments, fall direction, traffic routes).
- Define fence type (temporary/stationary), height, mesh size, additional elements.
- Plan stability (subgrade, ballast, anchoring, wind load).
- Define the access concept (gates, sluices, signage, releases).
- Clarify hydraulic interfaces (power pack location, hose routing, visual/audible signals).
- Document assembly, set inspection intervals, establish deficiency management.
- Adapt to construction progress and tool changes (concrete pulverizer, splitter, shear).
Quality features of a fit-for-purpose safety fence
A fit-for-purpose safety fence is stable, modular and adaptable. It withstands impact effects, can be repositioned quickly and enables a clear view of the process. In projects by Darda GmbH—from gutting works to rock excavation—it has proven effective to integrate safety fence solutions early into work planning and to consider interfaces with hydraulic tools. This creates a consistent level of protection that supports safe operation and organizes workflows.