AS 1657 Compliance Inspections & Audits
Are Your Platforms, Walkways and Access Systems Compliant?
Safe access to plant, equipment and structures is critical across industrial, mining, agricultural and commercial sites. In Australia, AS 1657 – Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders is the primary standard governing the design, construction and ongoing compliance of access systems.
However, many existing access systems were:
installed years ago,
modified over time,
or designed without full consideration of current standards.
This is where AS 1657 compliance inspections and audits become essential.
What is AS 1657?
AS 1657 sets out minimum requirements for:
Fixed platforms
Walkways and gantries
Stairways and ladders
Handrails, guardrails and toe-boards
Clearances, slopes and access angles
The standard applies across:
Industrial facilities
Processing plants
Mining and resources sites
Agricultural and bulk handling infrastructure
Compliance is not optional — it is directly linked to workplace safety obligations under WHS legislation.
Why AS 1657 Compliance Inspections Matter
Non-compliant access systems are a common cause of serious incidents, including falls from height and unsafe access during maintenance or operation.
An AS 1657 compliance audit helps to:
Identify non-compliant geometry, clearances and guarding
Reduce safety risks to workers and contractors
Demonstrate due diligence to regulators and insurers
Support upgrades, modifications or remediation works
Provide documented evidence of compliance (or gaps)
Importantly, compliance is assessed against the current standard, not the standard that applied when the structure was first built.
What Does an AS 1657 Compliance Audit Involve?
A proper AS 1657 inspection is far more than a visual check.
At Trang Imagineering, our audits typically include:
1. On-Site Engineering Inspection
Measurement of platform widths, step geometry and ladder angles
Assessment of handrails, mid-rails and toe-boards
Review of access routes, landings and transitions
Identification of trip hazards and unsafe access points
2. Standards-Based Assessment
Detailed comparison against AS 1657 requirements
Identification of non-conformances and partial compliance
Consideration of interaction with other relevant standards (e.g. machinery access, guarding interfaces)
3. Engineering Judgement
Assessment of legacy installations
Practical risk-based recommendations where full compliance may not be achievable
Advice on feasible upgrade paths
4. Clear, Actionable Reporting
Photographic evidence
Marked-up drawings or sketches where required
Clear list of non-compliances
Engineering recommendations for rectification
Who Needs AS 1657 Compliance Inspections?
AS 1657 audits are commonly required for:
Existing industrial plants
Mining and resources facilities
Agricultural processing and storage infrastructure
Fixed plant and equipment platforms
Sites undergoing modification or expansion
Due diligence prior to asset purchase or handover
They are often requested by:
Site owners and operators
Safety managers
Maintenance managers
Insurers
Regulators
Why Use an Engineer for AS 1657 Audits?
While basic inspections can identify obvious issues, engineering involvement is critical when:
dealing with non-standard designs,
assessing legacy infrastructure,
determining practical compliance solutions,
or certifying modifications.
Trang Imagineering provides engineering-led AS 1657 compliance inspections, meaning:
assessments are technically defensible,
recommendations are practical and buildable,
and reports stand up to regulatory scrutiny.
AS 1657 Compliance Inspections with Trang Imagineering
Trang Imagineering specialises in mechanical and structural engineering compliance across industrial, mining and agricultural sectors.
Our AS 1657 services include:
Compliance inspections and audits
Engineering advice on access system upgrades
Integration with guarding, machinery access and plant safety requirements
Support for remediation design and certification
If you are unsure whether your access systems comply with AS 1657 — or if you need documented assurance — a professional engineering audit is the safest way forward.