This invention provides fall protection systems, in metal building construction, and methods of installing such systems. A given such system comprises a suspension fabric, supported by a grid-work of longitudinal and lateral support bands. The distance of the safety band from the rafter corresponds to about 40 percent to about 75 percent of the diameter of the bag. Thus for a 30-inch diameter bag, the distance between the edge of the rafter and the middle of the safety band is about 12 inches to about 23 inches. The safety band protects the suspension fabric from being cut by the near edge of the rafter when a falling object impacts the fall protection system near the edge of the rafter.