Client: City of London Academy (COLA). Location: Bermondsey, London SE1 5LA. Timescale: December 2025 (ongoing).
Red Safety Netting were appointed to provide fall arrest safety netting, perimeter edge protection and a Haki access tower for a new sports hall at the City of London Academy in Bermondsey. The works provide safe access and fall protection for the installation of a new acoustic roof.
Overview
Red Safety Netting were instructed by a valued repeat client to provide a full fall protection and access package for the new sports hall at City of London Academy (COLA), Bermondsey, SE1 5LA. The scope comprises 1,063m² of fall arrest safety netting, 93.0 linear metres of perimeter edge protection and a 10.0m high Haki access tower, all installed to the new high level roof area and perimeters of the sports hall building. Works commenced in December 2025 to enable the client to install a new acoustic roof to the sports hall, with installation programmed around the adjoining lower building and specialist powered access used to reach the upper roof area safely.
Site requirements
Red Safety Netting were required to supply, install, inspect and dismantle all fall arrest netting, perimeter edge protection and access tower systems to the new sports hall. The works needed to provide continuous fall protection across the high level roof area and perimeters, support safe access for the follow-on roofing trade, and accommodate the constraints of an adjoining lower building within a live site environment.
Methodology
Red Safety Netting provided a full fall protection and access package, including the supply, installation, inspection and eventual dismantle of all systems — 1,063m² of fall arrest safety netting, 93.0 linear metres of perimeter edge protection and a 10.0m high Haki access tower serving the high level roof area. All materials were delivered to site via our own fleet of HGVs and commercial vans, enabling operatives to commence work with minimal disruption to the wider site. Installation of the safety netting, guard rail and Haki stair tower was carried out from powered access equipment: an 80ft diesel cherry picker was used externally to boom over the adjoining lower building and reach the upper roof perimeter, with a Genie 45ft diesel cherry picker used internally for the safety netting installation. This combination of MEWPs enabled safe, efficient access to all work areas without the need to load or disrupt the neighbouring structure.
Site challenges
The principal challenge was access to the section of the building where works were required, due to an attached lower building restricting conventional approaches to the high level roof and perimeters. Red Safety Netting mitigated this through careful selection of powered access equipment and detailed pre-installation planning, deploying an 80ft diesel boom externally to reach over the lower building and a 45ft internal MEWP for the netting works.
Health, safety and environmental
Site-specific RAMS were prepared for all works, with trained, qualified and competent operatives deployed throughout. Full body safety harnesses and fall restraint lanyards were worn at all times when working from MEWPs or rigging nets, edge protection and Haki stair towers. All personnel wore hard hats, protective gloves, protective footwear and high visibility clothing on site, with hi-vis particularly important during the offloading of delivery vehicles.
Outcome
Installation commenced in December 2025 and the safety netting, edge protection and Haki access tower are in place supporting the client’s acoustic roof installation, with the systems programmed for dismantle on completion of the roofing works. The project continues a strong working relationship with a valued repeat client, with consistently high satisfaction and ongoing repeat business across numerous projects delivered together.
Key learnings
Careful selection of powered access equipment, detailed pre-installation planning and close coordination with the client were key to delivering fall protection safely in a constrained site with an adjoining lower building. Early engagement and trained, competent operatives supported a smooth installation and continued client confidence.
