AS1657 Changes

AS1657 changes to Australias biggest
fall prevention standard.

Presenter : Carl Sachs
11th June 2014
Big changes
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Design of access/selection
Roof access
Clarification of issues
Testing and engineering
Slip resistance
Safe ladder design
Labelling
17 June 2014
Legislative
Framework
OH&S/WHS
Act
OH&S/WHS
Regulations
Building Code
(BCA)
Codes of practice
Australian Standards
AS 1657
Michael Tooma, Norton Rose

Standards and legislation.
A.
2.2 The Means of Access shall be selected from the following list and considered
in the hierarchical order given:
4th February 2014
Professor David Caple
A.
1.
0 - 70 Walkway, or if not practicable levelled walkways.
11 February 2014
A.
2.
7 - 20 Walkway, or if not practicable
11 February 2014
A.
3.
20 - 45 Stairway, or if not practicable
11 February 2014

Step ladder vs rung ladder
A.
4.
Step ladders, or if not practicable
11 February 2014
11
A.
5.
70-75 Rung ladders,
Or if not practicable
11 February 2014
12
A.
6.
Vertical ladders
11 February 2014
13
A.
6.
Platforms and cages, or if not practicable..
11 February 2014
14
A.
7.
If all else fails, use ladder lines
11 February 2014
15

Ladder lines
Certified ladder line
Shell
17 June 2014
17
Ladder lines - testing
B.
Roof access Brittle surfaces

Preference for internal access
Brittle surfaces/skylights
11 February 2014
19
Access through horizontal openings i.e Hatches
11 February 2014
20
F.
Safe ladder design
3.
Rung/tread shapes
4th February 2014
21
C.
1.
Rung shapes
11 February 2014

22
C.
2.
Lowest rung to landing
11 February 2014
23
C.
2.
Lowest rung to landing
11 February 2014
24
C.
3.
Midway landing platforms rest platforms
11 February 2014
25
C.
5. Edges Highlighting and marking
11 February 2014
26
Michael Tooma, Norton Rose

Compliance and meeting standards
11 February 2014
27
D.
Key points
Applies to guard-railing, ladders, staircases

For resold items, testing and engineering required
For one offs, engineering/deemed to comply
acceptable or testing.
Report formats
NATA accredited laboratories
11 February 2014
28
D.
11 February 2014
29
D.
2.
Testing of ladders - Appendix
11 February 2014
30
E.
Slip resistance
11 February 2014
31
F.
Safe ladder design
1.
Top and bottom ladder landings
Fixed level
4th February 2014
32
F.
Safe ladder design
2.
Transition to top landing
4th February 2014
33
F.
14 Aug 2012
Safe ladder design
34
G.
Labelling and documentation

Ladders, platforms, guardrail, stairs
Installation requirements
4th February 2014
35
When is this effective?
WHS and OH&S referenced docs October 2013.
BCA/Building Code 1st May 2014
17 June 2014
36
Action plan (PCBUs, facility managers, property managers,

OH&S representatives, and anyone else in control of a workplace)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Testing verification and certification (NATA, ISO17025).

Engineering certification and computations.
Equipment compliance. (AS1657).
Installation compliance (BCA)
Final inspection (NATA, ISO17020).
Labelling and traceability.
Maintenance and user instructions (This is plant!)
17 June 2014
37
How do you know it complies?
Independent 3rd party certification of

product.
Product and installation certified to BCA

(National Construction Code).
NATA accredited testing and inspection
17 June 2014
38
Q&A
17 June 2014
39
the fall prevention specialists
How we help:
step by step safety & compliance

Everybody wants to prevent fatal falls but getting height safety right is anything but
straightforward. The intricacies of compliance with height safety codes, standards
and regulations leave most organisations wondering just what needs to be done.
Workplace Access & Safetys role is to make it all manageable and keep your
people safe. Our practical, commercial solutions take away the worry, frustration
and risk associated with working at heights.
Well make your sites and systems safe and compliant, step by step.
Who we are:
the height safety specialists

Workplace Access & Safety was established in 1997 to help workplaces meet their
obligations under working at heights legislation.
We were appalled to find that while falls injuries remained one of the top causes of
workplace fatalities, so many workplaces were being sold unsuitable equipment.
Expensive equipment that required special skills to use, that often introduced new
risks, demanded extra administration and didnt necessarily comply with the OHS
legislation.
Instead, our solutions match the people, the infrastructure and the applications of
each site. This holistic approach genuinely reduces risk and complies with
legislation.
Offering a unique blend of both theoretical and practical experience, Workplace
Access & Safety has established itself throughout Australia as the leading authority
in the provision of OHS risk management and compliance support for working at
heights.
01 consultancy
02 design
03 inspections
04 installation
05 training
What we offer:
from advice to installation
Workplace Access and Safety provides the full safety package for fall prevention from
risk assessments and system design through to installation, training, annual
maintenance and certification.
Site assessments
Construction
Training
Fall prevention risk assessments,
On-site installation of equipment at
We offer height safety training for
consulting, audits and budgeting.
your sites, wherever they may be. We
managers, or practical skills for
install in every state in Australia and
tradespeople. Workplace Access &
Design
travel internationally for clients seeking
Safety is a Registered Training
Equipment design, specification and
consistency.
Organisation (RTO) and can deliver
scope of works.
accredited training.
Testing, inspection and certification
Fabrication
Systems need to be inspected and
Incident investigation
Workplace Access & Safetys factories
tested regularly. Workplace Access &
To establish the root cause of serious
in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and
Safety does all the administration and
incidents and near misses, to make
Adelaide build the equipment
work for you.
sure that they arent repeated.
Documentation
Expert witnesses
Specification development
We help clients develop work method
Workplace Access & Safety acts as
Documentation of suitable controls for
statements, systems of work, permit
expert witnesses for leading defence
your sites.
system, access and rescue procedures
lawyers.
specifically for your sites.
that compliment the equipment on their

sites.
What they say about us

customer testimonials
Workplace Access & Safety are very professional and their workmanship is good.
Id use them again without a doubt. When I asked for service they were prompt,
professional and flexible. They met our demands and needs completely. The whole
company is good to deal with and everyone was helpful.

- K. Andrews, Project Co-ordinator, H.J. Heinz Co. Australia Ltd.
Workplace Access & Safety deliver what they say theyre going to deliver. Their
workmanship is good and they are responsive to our needs. Their reporting and
quotes are far superior to anything else we receive.

- R Tini, Maintenance Manager, Coles Supermarket
Workplace Access & Safety are prepared to work with me to find a solution. They
seem to have many representatives who understand our requirements and can
respond accordingly. They have a good understanding of safety requirements for
working at heights, have a good product range and are personable.

- N. Bright, National Facilities Manager, Office Work Superstores Pty Ltd
We used Workplace Access & Safety because they offer value for money, have a
good safety record, provide appropriate quality and are able to deliver on time.

- M. Filby, Team Leader for Project Managers, Melbourne Water
Like to know more about fall prevention?

Call 1300 552 984 or visit www.workplaceaccess.com.au
Who we work with:
Australia-wide height safety from the falls

prevention specialists
Workplace Access & Safety offers specialist height safety expertise and installation
Australia-wide, so no matter where your sites are located, a consistent approach
to safety and compliance is guaranteed. Among our well-known clients are:
Client:
Strand Arcade, Sydney
Project: Installation of staircases, walkways, static lines, roof anchors and guardrail system for

maintenance access to cooling towers and mechanical plant.
Client:
Coles Supermarkets, nation-wide
Project:
Risk assessment and reporting on internal access to mezzanine areas, routine asbestos
labelling, plant room access at 670 supermarkets.
Client:
Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Victoria
Project:
Risk assessment reports for 37 fire stations, design, fabrication and installation of height
safety systems, followed by ongoing compliance inspections.
Client:
Officeworks, nation-wide
Project: Audit, risk assess, and report on 130 bulky good sites. Install height safety systems at 65

sites, followed by ongoing routine compliance inspections of anchor and static line systems.
Client:
University of Adelaide
Project: Designed and built height safety access systems for university campuses, followed by

ongoing 6 monthly inspections of fall prevention equipment.
Client:
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Victoria)
Project:
Installation of fall arrest and fall restraint systems over approximately 140 buildings between
2007 and 2010.
Client:
Tabcorp (NSW and VIC).
Project
Inspect and assess 350 retail agencies. Manufacture and install fall prevention and access
equipment to 160 agencies between 2004 and 2010.
Client:
Deakin University
Project:
Tested, inspected and certified fall restraint and fall arrest systems (anchors and static lines)
across all campuses, state-wide.
Melbourne
9-11 Shearson Crescent
Mentone VIC 3194
Sydney
Unit 5, 57a Rhodes Street
Hillsdale NSW 2036
Queensland
36 Matheson Street
Virginia, QLD 4014
T 1300 552 984 F 1300 551 612 sales@workplaceaccess.com.au www.workplaceaccess.com.au
South Australia
84e Stanbel Road
Salisbury Plains, SA 5109
Fall prevention audit

& risk assessment
Equip yourself with the right information to make height safety straightforward
Workplace Access & Safetys height safety risk

assessment brings compliance, safety, prioritising,
planning and budgeting together in one very.
manageable package.
Case study:
Audit of a WorkCover Site
Safe work at heights laws are complex and the regulator understands that
making rooftops safe is a job for specialists. So, when WorkCover NSW needed
a height safety audit of its own site, it commissioned fall prevention experts,
Workplace Access & Safety.
The auditors report provided WorkCover NSW with an overview of its
compliance and risk ratings for each hazard. It also showed how WorkCover
NSW could achieve compliance with a prioritised and costed list of works.
Based on the height safety audit report, WorkCover NSW engaged Workplace
Access & Safety to install:
>> Step-type ladders for access to the roof.
>> A maintenance-free sliding access hatch, so that users can always maintain
three points of contact while getting on and off the roof.
>> A fully engineered static line system and anchorage points that allow contractors
to safely clean the windows from an open ledge.
The site-specific costings contained in the audit report meant work fell within
budget, while delivering a safe workplace for WorkCover NSW employees and
contractors.
WorkCover NSW trusts Workplace Access & Safety

with its own height safety program. To find out how
Workplace Access & Safety can make your site safe
and compliant, call 1300 552 984.
1. Height safety risk assessment
3. A prioritised and practical plan
The law says Persons Conducting a Business

Undertaking (PCBU) and company officers have an
obligation under the Work Health and Safety Act to carry
out due diligence and ensure workplaces are safe.
Based on the risk assessment, your height safety

report will detail a step-by-step plan towards fall
prevention compliance.
A risk assessment based on the unique hierarchy

of controls for fall prevention is the first step towards
ensuring safety and minimising liability.
Complex regulations, codes and standards make
it a job for specialists and your Workplace Access
& Safety report cuts through with plain English advice.
OHS qualified tradespeople will consult with your staff
so the risk assessment is both thorough and realistic.
2. A design for safety and compliance

With your site needs understood, Workplace Access
& Safety will design a fall prevention system to suit
with an emphasis on safety, affordability, compliance
and manageability.
The recommendations are comprehensively illustrated
with photographs of your site so everyone can see
whats needed without having to climb on the roof.
A risk matrix illustrates the areas of highest priority

to make planning simple.
And because our height safety experts are both trade
and OHS-qualified, we deliver recommendations
that are dedicated to reducing risk and yet intensely
practical. They explain what needs to be done and
how to do it with minimum disruption.
4. Budget costings that put you in control

Every recommendation in your risk assessment
report is costed specifically for your site to assist
with budgeting. It even comes with an electronic
flexible reporting tool that allows you to dissect the
recommendations by state, site or priority ranking.
Workplace Access & Safety: delivering the fall
prevention risk assessment that makes compliance
and safety straightforward.
Hierarchy of controls
Some of our many customers
Quality Assurance ISO

AS1657 Product Certification
ISO 9001 Quality
AS1657 equipment (guardrail, staircases,

ladders, platforms and walkways) is
independently certified to Australian standard
by SAI Global, and products are individually
labelled with the 5 tick certification. It provides
you with third party assurance that our product
meets the product standard, guaranteeing you
with reliability, quality assurance and safety.
ISO 9001 is by far the worlds most

established quality framework, currently being
used by over 750,000 organisations in 161
countries. This is the standard that underpins
Workplace Access & Safetys performance.
OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health

and Safety and AS 4801 Occupational
Health and Safety
Just like you do, we care about the safety of
our people and OHS is more than skin deep at
Workplace Access & Safety. Be confident your
fall prevention installation is compliant and lowrisk, with our systematic and professional OHS
procedures.
ISO 14001 Environment

International Standard ISO 14001 is the basis
of Workplace Access & Safetys Environmental
Management System (EMS), so you can be
sure your fall prevention equipment is green
and safe.
CodeMark - BCA approval

The CodeMark scheme assures you of
compliance with the BCA (Building Code
of Australia) and that our products meet
the National Construction Code.
Youre invited to check the details of Workplace Access & Safetys credentials all verified by SAI Global
any time. Workplace Access & Safety is dedicated to safety and making your business compliance easier
Like to know more about height safety audits?

Call 1300 552 984, email audit@workplaceaccess.com.au or visit www.workplaceaccess.com.au
Victoria
Mentone, VIC 3194
New South Wales

Hillsdale, NSW 2036
Queensland
17 Matheson Street
Virginia, QLD 4014
South Australia
84E Stanbel Road
Western Australia
2-92 Forsyth Street
OConnor, WA 6163
Fall prevention
equipment compliance
Anchors, static lines, harness and ladders
Theres only one way to be sure your roof anchors, static

lines and harnesses are ready to save a life. And, by law, roof
anchors and static lines need to be tested and recertified
every six to 12 months, depending on your state.
Appropriately qualified and competent technicians
must carry out the tests and the results recorded so
Work-Cover inspectors can verify your equipments
status.
The requirements are in tandem with those of the Work
Health and Safety Act for Persons Conducting a Business
Undertaking (PCBU) and company officers to carry out
due diligence and ensure workplaces are safe.
Be sure of your testing and recertification

Your inspections and certification can deliver so much
more than a tick-list.
Proof of your compliance

Whenever your risk management systems come under
scrutiny, youll be prepared. Certified anchorage points
are individually tagged on site.
Workplace Access & Safetys auditors photograph and
catalogue the status of each system component to
build an electronic database that makes compliance
reporting effortless. You can even log into your asset
register online for fast, accurate real-time reporting.
Make existing anchors and static lines compliant

If your anchors are not already matched with certification
documents and compliance plates, Workplace Access
& Safety can bring them into compliance. We will
provide testing, certification, compliance plates and
user manuals.
Routine testing to maintain compliance

Each anchor and the static line system must be
inspected. Chemically set and friction set anchors
must be tested to 50% of their load limits. The cable
of the static line needs to be load tested every six to
12 months, depending on your states regulations.
Design check to avoid disaster

The correct layout is critical to the performance of
safety anchors and static lines. Too close to the edge
and your people risk the lethal pendulum effect, too
far from the edge and gutters are inaccessible.
Workplace Access & Safety will design and assess
your fall prevention positioning for user-friendly and
safe operation to ensure that the restraint technique
can be applied.
Rescue plans that comply and really work

If the unthinkable happens and somebody falls from
your roof, every moment counts. Even in a harness,
theres only 10 to 15 minutes before the potentially
lethal suspension trauma takes its toll. Ask Workplace
Access & Safety for a rescue plan that complies with
fall prevention standards and could save a life.
Documentation done!
Streamline your administration with fall prevention
documentation and a roof access permit written by
Workplace Access & Safety. User manuals, site
induction, roof layout plans and roof access permits
will have your administration in order quickly and
efficiently everything you need for mandatory
contractor inductions!
National service for consistent compliance

Workplace Access & Safetys own OHS-trained
trades-people service sites right around Australia,
so you can standardise and simplify your safety
management while being guaranteed a professional
approach to every one of your sites.
Workplace Access & Safety went through our competitive tendering process and their
price, together with their methodology, won them the tender. Im glad they did because
their knowledge and skills are good. They surveyed about 100 buildings for us and overall,
they did a good job. They are very good and I would recommend them to anyone.
- G. Gunachandran, Building Facilities Co-ordinator, Fairfield City Council
Systematic and cost-effective
What to watch out for: six common failure points
Because fall prevention is Workplace Access & Safetys

specialty, your anchor and static line inspection will be
conducted with efficiency and care.
1. Designed and positioned incorrectly
Automated data capture technology means our height

safety experts can provide you with accurate and detailed
reports in the shortest possible turnaround times.
Database and automatic scheduling tools

To keep you on top of compliance, Workplace Access
& Safety provides a reminder service that alerts you to
important dates and keeps your systems up to date.
Everything you need in fall prevention

Workplace Access & Safety has you covered when it
comes to safe work at heights: ask about our ladder
inspections, risk assessment, audits and installations.
Workplace Access & Safety: OHS purity, transparency
and real practicality.
The right equipment needs to be in the right

configuration to save lives. For example: dont allow
abseil and fall prevention anchors to be confused.
Do a design check.
2. System not certified
Components not identifiable and no history of product
or installers, no load rating information.
3. Designed for fall arrest
A technique of work positioning rather than fall arrest
must be arranged wherever practicable. Workplace
Access & Safety investigates safer, low cost measures
that may even avoid roof access.
4. Equipment not matched to users
Consider the resources and skills of the people using
the equipment. A vertical ladder line may suit a
telecommunications environment where two riggers
are working, trained in rescue and doing this on a daily
basis. Not so for a school where teachers or grounds
staff climb on the roof to retrieve balls. Well consult
and provide solutions that suit your site and people.
5. Untrained supervisors
Are your people equipped to supervise the
management of the system, including the induction
of contractors? We will train your people and provide
them with the systems they need.
6. Incorrect installation
Safety anchors look like glorified eyebolts but need to
save lives. Incorrectly fixed or oriented anchors can fail
with tragic consequences. Talk to us to get it right.
Pendulum Effect

ISO 9001 Quality



Health and Safety
procedures.

and safe.


Victoria
Mentone, VIC 3194
New South Wales

Hillsdale, NSW 2036
Queensland
17 Matheson Street
Virginia, QLD 4014
South Australia
84E Stanbel Road
Western Australia
2-92 Forsyth Street
OConnor, WA 6163
Ladder safety inspections

Keep it simple with a ladder audit by Workplace Access & Safety
Ladders of all shapes and sizes, portable and fixed, are in

the regulators spotlight after new regulations and a national
code of practice mandated regular inspections in line with
Australian Standards. Keep it simple with a ladder audit by
Case study:
Concrete, cranes and compliance
High above sites buzzing with dozens of concrete trucks, steel access ladders
on Excel Concrete silos came under the spotlight during a ladder safety audit by
The audit revealed Holcim subsidiary Excel could lift safety standards with a
shift from vertical ladders to those with a 75-degree gradient, uniform rung
spacings and flatter, more comfortable treads. Eleven ladders were identified for
replacement.
Up to 8 metres in length, the steel ladders were so heavy that cranes were
needed to carry out the demolition. Careful scheduling and some unusual working
hours saw the project completed without affecting the operation of the site.
Result: Reduced liability, conformance with Australian Standards and easier
access to plant for staff members and contractors all without site disruption.
Workplace Access & Safety are experts in the

design, specification, fabrication and construction
of access equipment for working at heights.
What the law says

The national fall prevention regulations and Code of
Practice for Managing The Risk Of Falls At Workplaces
mandate the regular inspection of ladders. Fixed
ladders must comply with AS1657, while portable
ladders must meet the requirements of AS/NZS 1892.
The requirements are in tandem with those of the

Work Health and Safety Act for Persons Conducting
a Business Undertaking (PCBU) and company officers
to carry out due diligence and ensure workplaces
are safe.
Proof of your compliance
National service for consistent complianc
Whenever your risk management systems come

under scrutiny, youll be prepared. Certified ladders
are tagged on site. Workplace Access & Safetys
auditors photograph and catalogue the status of each
ladder using PDAs to build an electronic database that
makes compliance reporting effortless. You can even
log into your asset register online for fast, accurate
real-time reporting.
Workplace Access & Safety services sites right around

Australia, so you can standardise and simplify your
safety management.
A 36-point check
A risk matrix illustrates the areas of highest priority to

make planning simple.
Among the most common reasons for nonconformance are the placement of the top rung
and the clearances behind and in front of the rungs.
Among the checks well make for you are:
A prioritised and practical plan

Based on the risk assessment, Workplace Access
& Safety will detail a step-by-step plan towards fall
prevention compliance.
And because our auditors are both trade and OHSqualified, we deliver recommendations that are
dedicated to reducing risk and yet intensely practical.
>> installation clearance
Budget costings
>> damage, wear and tear

>> suitability for use
Every recommendation by Workplace Access &

Safety is costed specifically for your site to assist with
budgeting.
Making existing ladders safe
Systematic and cost-effective
Ask Workplace Access & Safety to assess whether

your ladder lines to reduce the risk of falls. Our height
safety experts will explain the impact on risk, usability
and compliance.
Because fall prevention is Workplace Access & Safetys

specialty, your ladder inspection will be conducted
with efficiency and care.
>> fixings and dimensional check to AS1657
They will also produce a plain English report setting

out and prioritising what needs to be done to make
your ladders safe and compliant.
Workplace Access & Safety: OHS purity and real

practicality.
Limits of slope

ISO 9001 Quality



Health and Safety
procedures.

and safe.


Victoria
Mentone, VIC 3194
New South Wales

Hillsdale, NSW 2036
Queensland
17 Matheson Street
Virginia, QLD 4014
South Australia
84E Stanbel Road
Western Australia
2-92 Forsyth Street
OConnor, WA 6163

AS1657 Changes

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AS1657 Changes

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AS1657 changes to Australias biggest

fall prevention standard.

11th June 2014

Michael Tooma, Norton Rose

4th February 2014

Professor David Caple

0 - 70 Walkway, or if not practicable levelled walkways.

7 - 20 Walkway, or if not practicable

20 - 45 Stairway, or if not practicable

Professor David Caple

70-75 Rung ladders,

Platforms and cages, or if not practicable..

If all else fails, use ladder lines

Professor David Caple

Certified ladder line

Ladder lines - testing

Roof access Brittle surfaces

Access through horizontal openings i.e Hatches

Safe ladder design

4th February 2014

Lowest rung to landing

Lowest rung to landing

Midway landing platforms rest platforms

5. Edges Highlighting and marking

Michael Tooma, Norton Rose

Testing and engineering

Applies to guard-railing, ladders, staircases

Testing and engineering

Testing and engineering

Testing of ladders - Appendix

Safe ladder design

Top and bottom ladder landings

4th February 2014

Safe ladder design

Transition to top landing

4th February 2014

Safe ladder design

Labelling and documentation

4th February 2014

When is this effective?

WHS and OH&S referenced docs October 2013.

BCA/Building Code 1st May 2014

Action plan (PCBUs, facility managers, property managers,

Testing verification and certification (NATA, ISO17025).

How do you know it complies?

Independent 3rd party certification of

Product and installation certified to BCA

NATA accredited testing and inspection

the fall prevention specialists

step by step safety & compliance

the height safety specialists

the fall prevention specialists

Fall prevention risk assessments,

On-site installation of equipment at

We offer height safety training for

consulting, audits and budgeting.

your sites, wherever they may be. We

managers, or practical skills for

install in every state in Australia and

tradespeople. Workplace Access &

travel internationally for clients seeking

Safety is a Registered Training

Equipment design, specification and

Organisation (RTO) and can deliver